Working around customers inside a restaurant

Good morning guys.
How do you guys work around customers when cleaning windows inside a restaurant? I did the place for the first time last week, and it took forever while waiting for customers to finish eating, and open up the table nears the windows.

Set up my Unger zero degree channel on a ten foot pole, announce that I’m here to clean the windows, and proceed to reach over the customers. They usually get the idea a duck. :sunglasses:

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It’s all about scheduling. Schedule around busy times.

Every restaurant has slow times. Show up when its slow.

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Now that made me laugh out loud, thanks Mike!! :joy:

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They usually have prep time before they open for business; can you schedule the cleaning for then?

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Before they open or during the mid morning or mid afternoon (slow times) discuss all the different times with the restaurant manager to figure out what’s best.

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If you see an open window table DO IT FIRST. Always do the outside last. Sometimes I have to go outside to kill some time while the last window table finishes eating. I’ll stop outside cleaning to go inside before someone else takes the table.

I know a veteran storefront guy who doesn’t do ANY restaurants because he says its a pain.

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It’s great when the place is empty and it’s clear sailing! Has anybody else noticed that the new customer almost always seems to pick a window table you haven’t cleaned yet? Why is that? :frowning:️

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Just to give some idea on how wise it is to show up early. I do a grocery store that takes me 1 hour less time just by showing up before daylight.

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Ya. That reminds me of an idiom “the early bird gets the worm and the second mouse always gets the cheese”. :sunglasses:

Scheduling restaurants while they’re open is a conundrum

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Hit them first thing in the morning and also to talk to the staff. They can sit people on one side if they come in while you work the window sides. Like said you need to plan the day around those type of issues. A simple fix and the Business will look at you in a better light if you explain you don’t want to bother the customers or flow of the day.

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Yep. And they’re usually 107 years old.

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After a decade in restaurants I’m still at a loss for explaining this phenomenon. 10 open tables by windows, everybody always wants the same one. Try to lead them past it and they stop short, “Can we have THIS ONE instead?”
Yeah if it makes a difference I guess that’s fine. :unamused:

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I actually know which tables are the favorites and do them first now.

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Always do inside first. Go to the free table you’d want to sit at and start there. Others will probably want that spot so get it done first. Over time you’ll figure out seating patterns and know where to start. If there is a hostess, then forget it just do what you can.

As for slow customers

Option 1: stand at their table and watch them eat. If you make them uncomfortable, they’ll probably leave.

Option 2: jump in the booth with them and clean over them careful not to drip on their pancakes

Option 3: wait for them to finish and leave

Option 4: start doing outside and as soon as you see them packing up jump back in there

Option 5: skip it. If it’s a weekly account it won’t matter. Even if it’s not, the manager probably won’t care. The only time I don’t skip would be if they’re prepping for a big visit from HQ.

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Kinda freaky! We were typing at the same time and I hit send first.

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That’s the answer right there. Do all windows you can first. If the window thrrr sitting in isnt bad , Becuse I’ll usually get an angle on it to see it If it’s Not bad then I’m not even waiting around to do it. If it’s bad I want to clean it , but I’m not waiting long to clean it either .
Most of the time there done by the time your done . Sone times they even move for you without asking. I’ll never ask anyone to move ever
like some of mentioned get there at the right times. I know if your doing more than one eatery a day it’s not always possible
Skipping a window Becuse someone is sitting ther is no big deal.
Waiting around for them to be done is a big deal. I’m my eyes.
Never ever had anyone complain about not doing a window either not once ever.
I did have someone yell at me Becuse they thought I asked there customer to move. Which I didn’t
That was a rough one almost lost my job Becuse of it.

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It’s funny I clean a diner , an the owner knows I’m leaving if someone is sitting there, so if ther done he always comes out An gets me before I leave. Lol
With his Greek accent. "They done ". :roll_eyes::smirk:

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I had a customer flip out on me once many years ago. Scarred for life. Thought I was going to loose the account for sure. Haha

So now I agree with you 100% I’ll never ask again.

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I’m not affraid to skip a window here and there. :wink:

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