Executive summary:
A leading national chain of fast-casual restaurants, with over 700 locations and a brand built on sustainability, struggled with decentralized purchasing for its facility service needs. This led to high costs, product inconsistencies, and a disconnect from their eco-friendly brand identity. By implementing a UniFirst Facility Services program centered on our reusable microfiber mop rental service, the chain streamlined its operations, reinforced its green initiatives, and achieved a remarkable 87% annual cost savings which equaled $1.35 in annual savings.
The challenge: Uncontrolled spending and brand misalignment
With each of its 700+ restaurants managing individual purchasing, the company faced significant inefficiencies. This decentralized model created several problems:
- HIGH COSTS:
Lack of volume pricing for cleaning supplies, including disposable mops, led to inflated acquisition costs. - PRODUCT INCONSISTENCY:
Non-standardized products, especially floor cleaning tools, meant varying levels of cleanliness and safety across locations. - INEFFICIENT OPERATIONS:
Local managers spent valuable time on procurement rather than focusing on their core responsibility: the customer experience. - LACK OF OVERSIGHT:
The company had no centralized way to track spending or analyze the value of its facility service purchases. - BRAND DISCONNECT:
The practice of purchasing and discarding thousands of disposable wet mops weekly conflicted with the chain’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility, non-toxic cleaning, and waste reduction.
The chain needed a solution that would not only cut costs but also standardize its cleaning practices with high-performance, sustainable products like microfiber mops, which are known for their superior cleaning power and reusability.
The solution: A centralized microfiber mop rental program
As one of the chain’s Chicago locations neared its contract renewal, a store manager contacted UniFirst for a competitive assessment. This initiated a deeper conversation with the UniFirst National Accounts team, who recognized the opportunity to create a streamlined, national program.
The UniFirst team developed a comprehensive proposal to centralize the chain’s facility services, with a focus on implementing a state-of-the-art microfiber mop rental program. This solution was designed to:
- CONSOLIDATE SUPPLIERS:
Leverage the chain’s national footprint to secure volume pricing. - PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY:
Introduce reusable microfiber mops to eliminate the waste associated with disposable mop heads, aligning with the company’s “green” strategy. - ENHANCE CLEANING STANDARDS:
Provide professionally laundered, high-quality microfiber mops weekly, ensuring every location had effective tools to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. - INCREASE EFFICIENCY:
Centralize purchasing and data access, freeing up local managers and providing corporate oversight on spending and inventory.
The UniFirst program directly addressed the chain’s goals for growth, consistency, and sustainability, offering a clear path to operational excellence without hidden costs.
The results: Massive savings and a stronger brand
Before UniFirst, the chain’s locations purchased and discarded an average of four traditional wet mops per week, at a cost of $30 per week per location. Projected across 1,000 future stores, this amounted to a staggering $1,560,000 annually.
By switching to UniFirst’s reusable microfiber mop rental service, the cost dropped to just $4 per week per location. This professionally managed program provides clean, absorbent, and effective microfiber mops on a regular delivery schedule. The impact was immediate and substantial.
Previous annual cost
$1,560,000
Annual cost with UniFirst
$208,000
Total annual savings
$1,352,00
Beyond the financial savings, the UniFirst microfiber mop program significantly reduced landfill waste, conserving water and resources through our professional laundering process. The switch reinforced the chain’s brand promise of health, safety, and environmental stewardship. The addition of paperless electronic billing further streamlined their operations, saving an estimated 2,500 hours of administrative labor annually.
Conclusion:
By partnering with UniFirst, the restaurant chain transformed its facility services from a costly, decentralized problem into a strategic advantage. The implementation of our microfiber mop rental program delivered significant cost savings, enhanced operational efficiency, and powerfully aligned with the company’s core values of sustainability and quality. This case study demonstrates how a strategic facility services partnership can drive profitability and strengthen a brand’s identity from the ground up.
This case study was originally published on July 10, 2024, and was updated on October 10, 2025, to include new information and maintain accuracy.
