Washrooms reflect hygiene standards in foodservice 78% say condition of washroom shows how much a restaurant or café cares  

During the first full Coronavirus lockdown which began in March, the foodservice industry reinvented itself with new contact-free delivery and takeaways models. As lockdown eased, cafés, pubs and restaurants reopened with social distancing and hygiene at the top of the agenda. Now as England goes into its second lockdown and many must again close or revert to takeaway service only, should food service outlets start to prepare to reassure customers of their safety when they return?

A survey about how Covid-19 has affected perceptions of cleanliness and hygiene in the foodservice industry, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Professional™, shows that confidence was low in the early stages of businesses getting back to work after the first lockdown and that priorities have changed for business owners. The survey revealed that 80% of consumers are now more aware of hygiene practices when outside the home* because of the pandemic. 

The survey showed that over three-quarters of respondents (78%) think the condition of a washroom in a restaurant is a reflection on how much the establishment cares about its customers/visitors*. Meanwhile, only 46% of respondents feel safe visiting a restaurant*, and 86% would avoid a location if they didn’t think it was Covid-secure*. 

“We want to support foodservice businesses to embed the right hygiene practices and protocols by using the correct product solutions. We can help to change the behaviour of their customers and employees, by promoting the importance of good hand hygiene and surface wiping which are key factors in reducing the spread of germ transmission,” says Olena Neznal, Vice President, Kimberly-Clark Professional™ EMEA. 

“Only foodservice businesses which win the confidence of their employees and customers will thrive and from this research it is clear that hygiene is now top of the agenda.” adds Neznal. “With this second lockdown, food businesses in England have the opportunity to put the right protocols in place and get ready to welcome back customers.”

According to the research, over two-thirds of respondents (69%) thought that the kitchen is the most important area to improve hygiene levels. 62% showed concern about using the toilets in restaurants, which is often the first or last place visited in a facility therefore critical in creating the right impression. Over three-quarters (77%) thought the washroom is a reflection of the establishment’s image, while 76% thought the condition of the washroom is a reflection of the hygiene standards for the rest of the establishment.

Illustrating the heightened awareness of hygiene and safety, when asked about the most important factors when considering if a restaurant is safe to return to: 68% wanted social distancing enforcement; 65% wanted the provision of hand sanitiser at key points; 64% wanted the provision of hygienic hand washing and toilet facilities; 61% wanted to see that a washroom is clean; and 57% wanted cleaning and disinfecting procedures clearly communicated.

“Kimberly-Clark Professional™ has a long history of partnering with and supporting the foodservice industry, so these findings are crucial in guiding our ability to ensure we offer the best advice and solutions now and for the future,” says Neznal. “There are no shortcuts to workplace hygiene – we need to cover every angle.”

360˚ Hygiene & Protection programme

Kimberly-Clark Professional™ has introduced the 360˚ Hygiene & Protection programme to help foodservice businesses get back on their feet and restore confidence. 

Kimberly-Clark Professional™ offers specific foodservice facility support through considering need areas, and tools to assess your facility and identify germ hotspots. Hotspots are objects such as catering equipment, dishwashers, sink fixtures, food preparation surfaces, and door handles that are touched by many throughout the day and need frequent surface cleaning and disinfection to help break the chain in germ transmission.   

The next step is implementing cleaning and disinfecting protocols and introducing the correct hand hygiene and surface wiping solutions. Finally, Kimberly-Clark Professional™ promotes hygienic workplace practices by providing communication tools to help create awareness, which is a vital and important part of making people feel safe.

Kimberly-Clark Professional™ is offering a free no obligation Virtual Hygiene Walk – bookable through the microsite https://home.kcprofessional.com/UK_PR_TTNS_0920 – to review a facility and provide expert guidance on cleaning and hygiene protocols, recommending the right product solutions to tackle key hygiene hotspots.  We have produced an in-depth guide for the food service industry https://home.kcprofessional.com/UK_PR_Food_1120 to show the most appropriate products and solutions.

“Reassuring customers and employees with visible hygiene actions has never been more important for a foodservice business’ survival,” says Neznal. “Kimberly-Clark Professional™ is the expert in workplace hygiene and is championing the need for hygiene to take centre-stage.”