Introducing the Clean Team

To help deal with a new reality, a number of operators have introduced a variety of titles and positions. From an employee who sanitizes dining room tables (think: busser with a vendetta against viruses) to a professional who keeps an entire organization on its toes (or just 6 ft. apart), here are a few of the roles we found.

 

FOOD SAFETY CAPTAIN

Whataburger

In addition to daily wellness checks, deploying thermometers to stores and shipping masks for its 43,000 employees, San Antonio-based Whataburger now will have a food safety captain to monitor and enforce safety protocols during every shift.

 

COVID-19 SAFETY CZAR

Restaurant Associates

This role, filled by 13-year company veteran of the restaurant management firm Anthony Capozzoli, is to keep the New York company laser-focused on safety measures, apprising the organization of best practices and the latest protocols for keeping guests and employees safe. The company also appointed an advisory council comprised of safety experts to help him in his task.

 

SANITATION SPECIALIST

Denny’s

In July, Spartanburg, S.C.-based Denny’s mentioned plans to hire 10,000 restaurant-level employees by the end of the year across its U.S. stores. In addition to hiring managers, cooks, servers and hosts, it has created the new role of sanitation specialist to disinfect surfaces following each guest visit and direct guests to recently sanitized areas.

 

DINING ROOM STEWARD

Chipotle

Similar to the Denny’s position, this position at Newport Beach, Calif.-based Chipotle is responsible for directing customers and managing dining rooms, including constantly sanitizing high-touch, high-frequency areas, such as around beverage stations.

 

CLEANING CONCIERGE

Cava

This Mediterranean fast-casual chain, based in Rockville, Md., announced it created the role of cleaning concierge, a dedicated disinfector whose entire job responsibility will be to clean and sanitize all high-contact surfaces hourly, in addition disinfecting tables after each use.

 

CHIEF SANITIZING OFFICER

Pedal Haus Brewery

This Arizona brewpub, with locations in Tempe and Chandler, hired a chief sanitizing officer for every shift to help take some burdens off other employees.

 

CONSTANT CLEANER

TacoCraft

In addition to deep cleaning every night, keeping dining room capacity at 50% and pushing patio tables 6 ft. apart, this South Florida company created a position that explains itself: the constant cleaner is someone always on the move, wiping down menus, doorknobs, faucets and other high-touch areas.

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER

Top Hat Lounge

The role at this local watering hole in Missoula, Mont., oversees employee training, ensures health department recommendations are met, works with suppliers and vendors to promise safe delivery of foods and beverages, and develops best practices of operating in the new world.