Pizza Today - June 2022 - 49

Making exterior maintenance a
priority
To be certain, pizzeria operators have
enough to worry about inside their
establishment these days that exterior
maintenance can easily drift into the
background. Ignore the outdoor patio,
greenery or front windows too long,
however, and bigger, more costly headaches
will likely emerge.
While landlords often provide some
exterior maintenance services and
property maintenance companies can be
hired to lend support in areas like landscaping
and snow removal, a pizzeria's
exterior look is ultimately the responsibility
of restaurant leadership because
guests will not differentiate. Key areas
to monitor include:
The building's exterior
As soot, dirt, fumes from car exhaust
and animal droppings will clutter a
building's façade, power wash the building
every six to 12 months to ensure a
fresh, lively look. After a power wash,
inspect the building to see if patching,
retexturing, tuckpointing or painting is
necessary.
If graffiti appears, remove it
immediately. Many municipalities, it's
worth noting, offer free graffiti removal
services.
Outdoor patio
As outdoor dining became more
prevalent amid the pandemic, exterior
maintenance gained even more importance.
After all, guests are more likely to
spot exterior issues sitting on the patio
for an hour as opposed to passing by on
their way into the dining room.
On the outdoor patio itself, sweep
and wipe down chairs and tables daily.
Replace damaged items and have a clear
process for staff to alert management
of issues, such as non-working lights,
broken chairs or tears in an umbrella.
Check the patio during the offseason,
too, to ensure items are neatly organized
and covered.
Sidewalks and parking lots
Much like sweeping the dining room
is part of a restaurant's daily cleaning
regimen, bring that same care outside to
the sidewalks and parking lot. Removing
leaves, debris and cigarette butts
provides a clean, clear and welcoming
runway to the restaurant's doors.
Address any potential slip and fall
hazards, like sidewalk cracks or holes in
the parking lot's asphalt, in quick time
to minimize risk.
At least once a year, pressure wash
the sidewalks and parking lot and touch
up parking lot lines as necessary.
During the winter, have a defined
plan for snow removal so guests can
safely access the restaurant. If relying
on a contractor, secure this relationship
long before the first snowfall and
establish clear parameters around what's
to be done, where snow goes and the
use of salt.
Signage
If a manager is assigned to take a
daily lap of the property to pick up
debris and spot problem areas, bake a
review of signage into this assignment.
Are any lights on the exterior sign out?
Did a bad storm damage the sign over
the carryout door? Did the wind push
a letter or two off the marquee? Is the
awning covered in bird droppings?
Signage is a marketing and branding
tool for the pizzeria and a way to
capture guests' attention. It needs to be
visible day and night and showcase a
restaurant is on top of things.
Windows
Visiting as well as potential guests
look through windows, so keep them
clean and free of smudges. If windows
or doors host posters and flyers, take
those items down when they are no
longer relevant.
At least once a year, inspect the windows
to see if caulk is necessary around
the frames. This will sharpen energy use
and the windows' appearance.
Greenery
Keep the lawn mowed, the bushes
trimmed and the weeds under control.
Fertilizer can help combat pesky weeds
like dandelions, through spreading
fertilizer is best done during non-operational
or off-peak hours.
Have a defined plan for watering
plants and replacing dead plants
or flowers, which are a visible sign of
neglect.
Trash and mechanicals
The view of animals munching on
food around garbage cans isn't an
appealing look. Make sure trash and
dumpster lids are properly closed and
garbage in smaller trash cans is emptied
on a regular basis.
After trash collection, a quick interior
and exterior power washing of the
dumpster and its immediate area will
help eliminate unseemly sights and
smells. Many pressure washing firms
provide this service on a monthly or
as-needed basis.
If dumpsters or mechanicals like the
air conditioning unit are tucked behind
a fence or shrubbery, a preferred option
to hide those eyesores, monitor the
condition of those barriers to ensure a
different kind of eyesore doesn't emerge.
Lighting
Lighting provides a dramatic look
to a restaurant's exterior while delivering
a safety element as well. If using
timers, make sure those are set to the
correct time and adjust according to the
seasons as well as daylight savings time.
When exterior bulbs go out, as they inevitably
will, replace them immediately.
DANIEL P. SMITH Chicago-based
writer has covered business issues and best
practices for a variety of trade publications,
newspapers, and magazines.
JUNE 2022 / PIZZATODAY.COM / 49
http://www.PIZZATODAY.COM
Pizza Today - June 2022

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