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Customer Successes
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How a Backpack Vacuum Solved One Restaurant’s Cleaning Challenges
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Ramsey Walker, the General Manager for the Dwarf House restaurant in Stockbridge, Georgia, has worked for the combination dine-in facility and Chick-fil-A outlet for over 27 years.
Keeping the sizeable restaurant clean has always been a top priority, but never an easy feat. The Stockbridge Dwarf House features an 80-table, six thousand square foot dining area, a take out section and a drive-through, and 120 employees share the cleaning, cooking and serving responsibilities during the 16 hours the restaurant is in operation. The carpet and booths often attract dropped pieces of chicken nuggets, french fries and other food scraps.
“Food debris and oils are the biggest cleaning problems we face. I was lucky if a vacuum lasted six months,” Walker says.
That is, until Walker spotted a backpack vacuum, called the ProVac, on display in a janitorial supply store. The ProVac is specifically designed by ProTeam to tackle the demands of the food service industry.
“Sixty percent of my employees are teenagers, and they aren’t exactly careful when it comes to using vacuums,” says Walker. “The ProVac reminded me of the movie “Ghostbusters,” and I thought it might be cool enough and tough enough for them.”
As it turns out, he was right.
Walker no longer worries if his staff neglects to pick up large food debris before they vacuum. The ProVac picks it up without a problem. And the oils that sink into the carpet no longer clog up the vacuum.
Ramsey estimates he saves $600 per year on repairs alone since he switched to the backpacks. There are no belts, beater bars or brushes that can break. The motor is encased in a tough high tensile strength polyethylene plastic shell, with a lifetime warranty on the body.
Walker has also found another practical advantage with the backpack vacuum.
“The kids seem to enjoy vacuuming more with the backpacks,” Ramsey says. “They picked up on the ‘Ghostbusters’ thing too.”
Though his employees come in all shapes and sizes, the backpack fits each of them comfortably, making it easy to use. When vacuuming duties rotate through the entire shift, no one complains about the job, and because the vacuum is worn, rather than pushed or pulled, employees can easily maneuver through the tables and chairs in the dining area. Booths are also cleaned quickly and effortlessly with the backpack.
“The upholstery attachment reaches into cracks and crevices that you otherwise couldn’t reach,” Walker explains.
Walker also uses ProTeam’s QuietPro BP backpack vacuum. The QuietPro BP was designed for use during the day, when low noise is preferable. It features a two-level power control switch that allows an operator to quickly shift from the 68 decibel Power Mode to the 61 decibel Quiet Mode—about the same intensity as a normal conversation.
“The vacuum is at least 60 percent quieter than other backpacks,” Walker estimates. “If we had to vacuum during the rush period it wouldn’t offend anyone.”
Positive customer ratings on store appearance and quality have also earned Walker kudos from the corporate staff.
“It makes us look really good in their eyes,” he says. “The backpacks do a great job. I highly recommend them.”
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