The holiday season has a way of sneaking up on restaurants. One minute you’re planning for Thanksgiving, and the next you’re knee-deep in December with orders flying in and your dining room at capacity every night. More traffic means messier kitchens, busier dining rooms, and bathrooms that need constant attention. 

What is the difference between smooth sailing and chaos? Preparation. Specifically, making sure you’re stocked up on cleaning supplies before the rush hits full force. Y. Hata is here to help you tackle it. 

Mid-December Through Mid-January Hits Different in Hawaiʻi 

We’re not going to tell you how busy the holidays get—you live it every year. Mid-December through mid-January, your operation runs full throttle with barely a moment to breathe. 

Nonstop service, constant table turns, relentless pace, zero downtime. And when you’re running at that pace, the last thing you need is to run out of degreaser mid-shift or discover you’re low on sanitizer during your busiest week of the year. 

The Taste Test Starts in the Bathroom 

Sanitation is the number one thing guests look for when choosing where to eat. Yes, you read that right—not your menu, not your ambiance. Cleanliness matters most, and not just in the dining room. 

Studies show that the majority of adults equate bathroom cleanliness with kitchen cleanliness. If your restroom is spotless, guests assume your kitchen is too. Restroom cleanliness can even affect how guests perceive the taste of your food. Research on restaurant restroom cleanliness found that diners rated food taste and quality lower in restaurants with unclean restrooms. The same study revealed that 88% of people who experienced a dirty restroom believed it reflected poor sanitation throughout the entire operation, including the kitchen. 

The Payoff of Being Ready 

Staying ahead with your cleaning supplies and protocols delivers real benefits that extend well beyond just passing health inspections. 

Equipment works better and lasts longer: Clean equipment isn’t just about appearances. When you keep your equipment clean, your food tastes better because there’s no flavor transfer from old grease and buildup. You’ll also extend the lifespan of your kitchen equipment significantly—that’s money saved on replacements and repairs. 

Guests come back: A clean, well-maintained dining space directly impacts whether guests want to return. During the holiday season when everyone’s looking for reliable places to celebrate, being known as the spot that’s always clean is a competitive advantage. 

A safe workplace for your staff: Regular cleaning eliminates potential hazards and reduces the risk of accidents. When you’re busy, the last thing you need is someone slipping on a greasy floor or dealing with a preventable injury. A healthy workplace keeps your team functioning at their best during the most demanding weeks of the year. 

Holiday Cleaning Strategy

Having the supplies is step one. Using them effectively during the chaos is step two. Here’s your game plan: 

Increase cleaning frequency during peak service times. Those high-touch surfaces—tables, door handles, payment terminals—need attention every couple of hours when you’re at capacity. A little extra attention now keeps everything running smoothly when it matters most. 

Make cleaning supplies accessible throughout your restaurant. When your staff can grab what they need without hunting for it, they’re more likely to clean as they go. That’s what ultimately helps you maintain standards during service. 

Schedule extra bathroom checks. This is non-negotiable. During dinner rush on big nights like Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, you need someone to check bathrooms regularly. Regular checks mean you catch small issues before they become problems—and your guests are happy. 

Consider bringing in additional help. If your regular crew is already stretched thin between cooking, serving, and cleaning, temporary cleaning staff might be worth the investment. Fresh hands dedicated to maintaining cleanliness help your whole team operate at their best. 

Handle your ordering now. You’re reading this in early December, which means you still have time to think clearly and plan strategically. Getting your supplies sorted now means one less thing to worry about when the rush hits. 

We’re Here to Help 

The holiday season is demanding enough without worrying about whether you have enough degreaser or if you’ll run out of sanitizer on December 26th. Take cleaning supplies off your stress list now. 

Your Y. Hata account manager knows what you need to get through the busy season. They can help you figure out quantities, suggest products that work for your specific operation, and make sure everything arrives when you need it.