Summer is the perfect time to take a step back and put a little tlc into your hotel operation. Does the paint on the walls need a refresh? Does your lighting need to be replaced? Does your pool need a good cleaning?

Putting regular efforts into preventative and cosmetic maintenance increases overall guest satisfaction, cuts down on large last-minute expenditures and ultimately saves your staff time.

When guests leave happy and leave a positive review after their stay, it’s effective upkeep and preventive maintenance that play a role in their memorable experience.

Not only can Source1 help you give your operation a much-needed makeover, but we partner with popular brands to ensure our members are getting quality solutions for all their business needs.

As a Source1 member, you get exclusive savings on the following brands:

ACE Hardware

Sure you can have a plan to update your operations look, but where are you going to get the tools to carry out that plan? ACE Hardware has customized inventory solutions from top national brands that you can trust. They have products you can rely on such as paint, electrical, power tools, outdoor equipment, janitorial and sanitation, plumbing, HVAC, hardware and more! Even better, Source1 members get a 10% discount on their order. You can order products anytime, from anywhere. Multiple users can access one account with varying permission level so you can trust your staff to take care of the ordering.

Leslie’s Pools

Your pool is one of the amenities your guests look forward to when staying at your hotel. Reduce costs and increase your guests’ pool experience by leveraging our savings and discounts on pool services and solutions from Leslie’s Pools. And it’s not all about the pool. If you have fountains throughout your hotel, they have products to help you keep those cleaned and properly operating. As a Source1 member, you get discounted pricing on 1500 items and service programs from Leslie’s Pools.

A1 American

Pool season has arrived! And your guests don’t always pack towels with them for pool days. A1 American offers two types of towel solutions for your hotel operation. Their Value towel line includes classic towel options for hotels which prefer a low-cost alternative, but with the quality, durability, and softness of a midrange towel. For hotels looking for an upgraded softness and absorbency, their Deluxe towel line is perfect for that exclusive feel while maintaining a budget-friendly price.

Carrier

No matter hot or cold outside, you should always be checking on your HVAC system to ensure the inside of your hotel operation is properly climate controlled and set to a comfortable temperature for your guests. Comfort drives decision-making when it comes to choosing which hotel to stay at. Carrier provides reliable HVAC systems. Through advanced controls and digital solutions and services, Carrier optimizes buildings to protect the people inside, enabling continuous improvements to air quality and overall health while reducing energy costs.

Take the time to evaluate the areas in your hotel that could use an upgrade or maintenance. Sign-up as a Souce1 member today and take advantage of discounts and savings on products and solutions to keep your operation up to date.

Did you know? Fries are on the Rise! According to Lamb Weston, there have been double-digit increases in fry orders with popular main dishes in the last year.

With 77% of consumers saying their satisfaction with a restaurant’s fries impacts their satisfaction with the restaurant overall, it’s time to elevate your fries and increase your guests check size.

Since fries are one of the most popular and profitable menu items, your guests will be delighted to see your room service menu includes a one-of-a-kind plate of fries. From shoestring to crinkle cut and even waffle shapes, there are many versatile fries to create the perfect dish.

Here are three ways you can incorporate fries into your hotel food menu:

1. Loaded Fries

Nothing’s better than a pile of fries topped with loads of ingredients. Poutine, chili and cheese, brisket and barbeque sauce – the possibilities are endless. Fries are a great base for any craveable plate.  In Q4 of 2021, Technomic reported that top trending ingredients for loaded fries included cilantro (25%), queso fresco (11%), and chorizo (7%).  Returning guests might even choose to stay at your hotel versus another just because your fries can’t be found anywhere else.

2. Comfort Food Mashups

Burritos are a great place to add fries. Haven’t you ever heard of adding fries into that chicken shawarma? Hey, don’t knock it till you try it. Some people even like mixing their sweet with their salty by dipping their fries into a milk shake – hello Wendy’s frosty and fries anyone? Consumers love experimenting with their foods and adding fries to dishes they normally wouldn’t be served in. Fries are considered to be a comfort food so add them to other menu items to create the ultimate mashup. Layer your famous burger with them or add them to your breakfast skillet in place of hash browns. You can even slide a scoop of ice cream in between two waffle fries to make the ultimate mini ice cream sandwiches. Fries give you the flexibility to have fun with your menu and take your comfort food recipes to the next level.

3. Leverage Food Holiday’s for LTOs

National food holidays are a big part of consumer culture. #HashtagHolidays can be powerful ways to promote your menu. Leverage trending foods and foodie holidays to create a signature LTO that is sure to build a buzz. With 3 out of 4 consumers saying they’ll tell a friend about an LTO they love, offering fries at your hotel bar can help attract new guests and boost your bottom line. Take advantage of days dedicated to foods such as National Barbecue Day, National French Fry Day, National Gyro Day, National Bacon Day, and even National Donut Day – who said you couldn’t experiment with sweet fries?!

There’s no debating that Americans love fries—rating them one of their favorites across generations. So if you don’t have fries on your menu, you’re missing out on extra profits.

As a Source1 member, you get access to exclusive savings on french fry products from Lamb Weston so you can transform your basic french fries into an ooey gooey pile of flavor. Not yet a member? No problem! Join Source1 today!

Running a hotel operation requires industry knowledge and expertise. As a Source1 member, you get access to exclusive savings opportunities, cutting-edge procurement technology and partnerships with popular brands that your operation uses every day.

These days, hospitality procurement departments are often short staffed and lack the visibility into purchasing success factors such as pricing, distribution contracts, commodity benchmarks and leveraged buying.

At Source1, we deliver purchasing visibility and thousands of ways to save on products and services including food, disposables, linens, maintenance supplies, and more.

Here are three of the core benefits of becoming a Source1 member to help you drive profitability with ease:

Access to Exclusive Rebates

Did you know the items you purchase everyday could be eligible for a CashBack rebate? Do you have the time to check each of those items for a rebate? Do you have time to claim those rebates and follow-up on those rebates? By partnering with Source1, you get access to over 350 manufacturers and 165,000+ line items.

Unlock instant savings by tapping into the power of Source1’s portfolio of rebate and deviation contracts. With no mandates and no minimums, Source1 aligns your current products and helps maximize your savings and purchasing value.

Cutting-Edge Technology

With the industry experiencing a labor shortage, operators are scrambling to find a way to automate as much of their operation as they can – especially in the purchasing process. With a hotel to run and a staff to manage, its hard to find the time to make sense of all your purchasing costs and know where your money is coming and going. What’s costing you money and what’s making you money?

From purchasing analytics, product optimization, inventory management, and contract utilization, you can trust technology to do the work in half the time. AI-driven procurement software can help you control purchasing costs, identify savings opportunities, and make sure you are getting the most value out of your contracts.

Source1 data and technology solutions provide you with visibility into your purchasing analytics, inventory management, and contract utilization so you can save time and make more efficient business decisions.

Cost Control and Sourcing for OS&E Procurement

OS&E typically includes things like administrative services, hotel amenities, linens, facilities, and maintenance services. Even your hotel restaurants and bars utilize OS&E such as supplies to cook with, serve with, and store food in. These day-to-day products and services can come at a high price.

When you partner with industry experts such as Source1, you expand your supplier pool and the task of procuring the items and services you need goes from hours to minutes. As a Source1 member, you can identify new partnerships with popular brands that offer OS&E solutions such as HD Supply, OTIS, Sherwin Williams, and Grainger.

At Source1, we partner with a trusted network of suppliers to bring you aggressive OS&E contracts, specialty luxury agreements and the best pricing on top quality products and services. We find you reduced pricing on OS&E items and services you’re already purchasing, customized supplier programs and ensure delivery of products that meet your specifications.

Maximize your rebates and savings, gain visibility into your purchasing, and expand your supplier pool of partnerships by becoming a Source1 member today for FREE!

2022 is just a few short weeks away and it’s likely there will be an increase in travel in the coming new year, whether it’s for business or leisure.

As challenges continue to grow within the supply chain and labor shortages are at an all-time high, it’s important to take advantage of solutions that will help you run a profitable hotel operation.

Let’s take a look at 5 hotel trends you should watch for in 2022:

Partnering With Supply Chain Experts

One trend to adopt in the coming new year is to partner with Supply Chain Management experts, such as Source1. With the unpredictable state of the supply chain, hotel operators are having trouble procuring the necessary supplies to keep their operation up and running – including food and beverage products

By leveraging supply chain management experts, you can reduce costs, optimize your purchasing, and ensure you’re getting high-quality products at competitive prices.

Leaning on industry leaders such as Source1, you gain the power your operation needs and access to supply chain programs tailored specifically to your operations unique needs.

From cost-effective product sourcing to distribution management, partnering with supply chain experts can even help with negotiating contracts so you can maintain high-quality standards.

Embracing Technology

Technology is evolving every day and as a hotel operator, it’s important to embrace the digital age. One way of doing so is by adopting different technology solutions that streamline processes and give you a more accurate picture into the health (success) of your business.

Because your food cost is one of the biggest factors that play a role in your operation’s success, it’s crucial to understand how it works and how you can take control of it.

Time constraints keep you from completing the tasks you need to do in order to manage your food cost accurately. With food cost management experts such as Orderly, you won’t have to worry about manual calculations anymore.

Technology not only helps you manage food cost and inventory, but it gives you a bigger picture of your operation. What’s working and what isn’t. Are you paying the best prices? Did you generate any revenue off that new menu item you added? Data and spend management technology, such as Source1, provide you with visibility into your purchases and contract utilization.

With updates in real-time and actionable data reporting, you’re provided transparency to how your spending impacts profitability.

Increased Use of Labor Saving Solutions

As an operator, you’re looking for products and solutions that save you time but still leave you  satisfying guests. By incorporating more versatile ingredients, you can make prep time easy and give customers that homemade taste and feel.

Here are some labor saving products that can save your staff time and money (just to name a few):

Idahoan Real Mashed Potatoes are a great staple item that save you time and money. Nobody has time to boil, peel, or mash anymore. With Idahoan, you can create signature dishes that provide guests with comfort and deliciousness.

Speeding is illegal but not in the kitchen. With their speed-scratch solutions, Unilever has come up with many solutions that save you both time and money. With their cream-based soups, sauces, and gravies, you can create a variety of savory dishes your guests will love. Even better? Unilever uses clean ingredients that have no artificial flavors or preservatives. Can you say superior, convenient, and flavorful?

Does your staff spend hours prepping cocktail ingredients? Cutting limes and lemons, making fresh juices and mixers from scratch? No more. The ReaLemon and ReaLime juices from Keurig Dr. Pepper are a must-have for those nights you’re understaffed and slammed with drink orders. No need for slicing, squeezing, or cleanup. These juices are convenient, consistent, and high-quality. Made from 100% lemons and limes that give you that crisp, real juice flavor. They make for great use in meals, desserts, and dressings too.

Don’t forget, labor saving does not only apply to food and beverage ingredients. We know you’ve heard this already in this blog above, but one major way you can combat the labor shortage is with technology. Not only does Source1 technology help identify areas that can be streamlined, but it also saves you time when searching for products or substitutions.

More Grab and Go Items

Like many other businesses, the hospitality industry has been hit hard due to the pandemic.

With restaurant openings becoming unpredictable once again as COVID cases surge, hotel guests are looking for convenient grab and go items that are healthy and will keep them energized throughout the day.

According to this survey, half of all millennials would pay more for food that offered benefits. This means it’s important to offer more than the typical chips and soda. Plant-based, whole grain, and high-protein snacks are just a few options you can provide your hotel guests with.

As a Source1 member, you get access to exclusive savings and discounts on grab and go items for your hotel convenience store and room service options.

From sustainable, functional food items to immunity-boosting, full of antioxidant snacks, you can keep up with the latest food trends to satisfy guests.

Source1 members get direct access to suppliers, products, detailed analytics, and more. With over 9,000 high-quality products partnered with 1,000+ suppliers to choose from, you’ll be sure to catch your guest’s eye with the variety of healthy options you provide them with.

Luxurious and Engaging Guest Experiences

It’s important to give guests a luxurious experience they won’t forget. But in order to do so, you may think you have to pay more for high-quality products and services. Thankfully, that’s not the case. By cost controlling and sourcing the right products and services, you can provide guests with a memorable experience.

Source1 partners with a trusted network of suppliers who provide high-quality services and products for your guests, such as savings and discounts on solutions for golf, pool and spa, linens, amenities, and more.

From sanitation and maintenance solutions to reduced costs on textile products and memorable experiences for your guests, leverage savings and discounts you receive as a Source1 member on solutions for your hotel services.

Become a Source1 Member Today!

As the new year approaches, be sure to keep up with these trends, ensure guests return, and put some profits back into those pockets.

When you become a Source1 member, you’ll have access to savings, discounts, and much more to help you provide guests with the highest quality services and most memorable experiences.

Make smarter business decisions and improve your bottom line with Source1’s power and technology.

Become a member today!

 

 

 

 

 

The need for cultural progression is important, but when the pandemic hit the hospitality industry, the importance of supplier diversity shifted down the priority list. With a new year ahead, it’s the perfect time to approach your procurement in a new way and encourage supplier diversity throughout every area of your operation.

A diverse business is defined as any company that is at least 51% owned by one or more minorities. Supplier diversity is crucial to your commitment to inclusion and your procurement and purchasing teams have an opportunity to contribute to your companies’ overall D&I goals by partnering with more diverse businesses.

Partnering with more diverse suppliers fosters collaboration, drives company growth, and can boost your bottom line. Not only does a commitment like this benefit your customers, but it also improves brand reputation and supports your communities beyond just social gains.

No matter the size of your operation, you should create a D&I program to enhance your offerings and expand your supplier portfolio. Here are some steps your operation can take to create a more inclusive and diverse atmosphere and grow your relationships with suppliers:

Define Your Diversity Program

What are the reasons your company is interested in creating a D&I program? Do you have the staff support and manage the program? What is the scope of your new program? Do you have existing partnerships with any diverse suppliers? Your D&I program will be unique to your business. Defining your program, the mission of the initiative and who will run it are the first steps to starting a successful D&I program.

Join Diversity Organizations

By partnering with diverse organizations, you can add new vendors and extend your supplier diversity program. When suppliers see that your business is a part of a larger diverse network, they are more inclined to join forces with you. When you connect with organizations who value diversity and inclusion you are able to gain different perspectives and connect with like-minded groups who can help you bolster deeper partnerships. Not only does joining forces with diverse and inclusive organizations improve your brand reputation, but it also lets other suppliers know that your company is committed to diversity and inclusion, which can lead to future partnerships.

Embrace Procurement Technology

Once you’ve created your supplier diversity processes, you’ll want to evaluate how your new supplier relationships are creating value for both partners. Embracing procurement technology to assist with your supplier diversity efforts is key to making a true impact. By integrating procurement technology into your sourcing process, you can expand your pool of potential suppliers. Procurement technology opens a whole new world of diverse e-commerce partnerships and can help your business identify high quality products to source from more diverse brands. Once you integrate procurement technology with your new suppliers, you gain access to more diverse supplier data. Your new suppliers get a deeper dive into who is buying their products, how much they are buying and which products are big revenue drivers.

Launching a diversity and inclusion program doesn’t have to be hard when you are committed to growing your supplier networks. Defining your program, creating new partnerships, aligning with like-minded businesses, and embracing the power of technology are great steps to creating or improving your diverse and inclusive supplier relationships.

At Source1, we partner with many suppliers such as General Mills, Unilever, and PepsiCo, who all believe in more inclusive and diverse partnerships. When you become a Source1 member, you gain access to an alliance of suppliers who understand the importance of diversity and inclusion. We source products and services from many diverse businesses and are creating a supply chain network that values a more diverse pool of partnerships.

It can be hard to make sense of your purchasing costs without the right technology.

With the hospitality industry seeing price increases in all areas of business, there has never been a more necessary time for operators to consider utilizing technology to help manage rising hotel food cost.

A quick search will show there are many technology solutions to choose from when it comes to food cost management. However, by partnering with the right technology solution, you can expand your resource pool and gain key insights into your operation. This includes things like your hotel’s purchasing behavior, what’s working well, and, most importantly, what’s taking money away from your bottom line.

Here are some ways technology can help your staff with food cost management and navigate rising hotel food cost, so you can maintain guest standards and maximize profits.

Purchasing Analytics

By using spend management technology, you get real-time visibility into your purchasing. This provides actionable data on how your spending impacts your profitability.

With a clearer understanding of how much you are spending and where it’s all going, you can make more informed business decisions. Having the ability to see the “bigger picture” of your purchasing, helps identify what’s making you money and what’s costing you profits.

Inventory Management

Optimize your inventory with automated technology for more accurate forecasting and effective ordering.

Technology gives your back-of-house staff the tools to track in-house inventory levels and automatically adjust recipe costs so your chef can place more insightful orders. Source1 inventory technology streamlines the inventory process and alerts you when stocks are low, prompting easy re-orders and re-stocking.

Rebates and Deviated Pricing

Unlock instant savings on your ingredients by tapping into the power of Source1’s portfolio of rebate and deviation contracts.

With no mandates and no minimums, Source1 aligns your current products and helps maximize your savings on popular brands.

Contract Utilization

It’s hard to drive compliance across multiple properties.

Ensure you are paying the correct prices on all your ingredients, make corrections, and maximize the value of all your negotiated food and beverage contracts. Our contract management technology verifies invoice data and identifies over charges, correcting errors and reducing your costs.

Tackle Rising Hotel Food Cost by Partnering with Source1

Source1 technology solutions provide you with visibility into your purchasing analytics, inventory management, and contract utilization so you can maximize your food and beverage savings and make more efficient business decisions.

Our AI-driven procurement software recommends opportunities for new savings for your hotel operation. Maximize your contract value and tackle rising hotel food costs with the help of Source1 technology.

Get access to data driven results by joining Source1 today!

Using high-quality products to maximize your hotel breakfast offerings at your operation can be a huge revenue generator. Cooking with name brand ingredients your customers know and love can keep your loyal guests returning and new customers choosing your location over others.

Hotel breakfasts can either be the best start to your guests’ day or an underwhelming experience that leaves them wishing they ate at the breakfast diner around the corner. This includes both room service and dine-in.

There is increasing pressure on hotel operators to provide high-quality service and offer more than just free pastries at breakfast. With guests returning to travel and seeking luxury properties to stay at, stand out from other businesses by including premium breakfast options with their stay.

Let’s look at some food and beverage solutions that increase your profits and keep guests returning to your property.

That First Morning Cup of Joe Counts

Nothing says “good morning, it’s going to be a good day” like that first sip of your morning coffee. It’s important to offer high-quality coffee options to your guests. It can set the mood for the rest of their stay. These days, guests have high expectations around freshness and the availability of flavor options.

Don’t be an average Joe hotel operation. Offer premium coffee that will caffeinate and rejuvenate your guests. For that boldly crafted timeless taste, 1850 by Folgers delivers a smooth lineup of fire roasted delight for the distinguished coffee consumer. Deja vue? More like Deja-brew! 1850’s carefully crafted steel-cut size results in more consistent brewing experiences. Give the gift of a brew-tiful day with 1850 by Folgers.

Not Your Basic Sausage and Eggs: Turnkey Breakfast Solutions

According to Conagra, 60% of hotel operators expect food and beverage revenue to grow over the next 3-5 years. That means it’s time to offer more than just the breakfast basics.

These labor saving solutions cut prep time, are cost effective and be used to create innovative menu offerings.

No need for extra cooler space. Idahoan Hash Browns are fully cooked so you can go from shelf to grill in 10 minutes flat. Simply brown or crisp on one side and heat through before serving crispy side up – in less than half the time of frozen or refrigerated. With unbeatable flavor and perfect texture, Idahoan Hash Browns are real potatoes that are real fast and real efficient.

“Protein” mentions on menus have risen nearly 77% over the last four years. Capitalize on the surge in protein mentions and say goodbye to the cooking and hassle of egg prep. With Sunny Fresh egg products, your kitchen staff can focus on innovative new ways to using eggs. Sunny Fresh egg products eliminate cracking, cooking and heavy clean-up, making them just right for your operation. Expand the appeal of your breakfast menu with dishes such as omelets, scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos or even grab-n-go sandwiches.

Don’t Forget Meatless Eaters

One-third of Americans are actively reducing their meat consumption. Help your plant-based eaters rise and shine with meatless breakfast options. Having a plant-based menu available for your meatless guests is imperative these days because your guests want it and your competitors are probably offering it.

Beyond Breakfast Sausage has arrived. These hearty patties are easy-to-cook, deliciously juicy, season to perfection and packed with 100% plant-based protein. You can power the day for your flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan guests by offering so many different breakfast items using Beyond Breakfast Sausage such as breakfast sandwiches, frittata’s, and other breakfast staples.

Source1 Solutions

Not only is breakfast the most important meal of the day, it is also an important amenity when staying at a hotel. A good breakfast brings many benefits to guests that accommodation providers may not realize. A satisfying breakfast can add comfort to a guest’s stay, making it a far more pleasant experience overall.

As a member of Source1 Purchasing, hotel operators get exclusive access to savings and discounts on all the products and solutions mentioned above and more!

Contact us today so we can get your hotel operation on its way to cutting food cost and labor.

 

Looking for ways to decrease hotel operational costs without decreasing the quality of service?

Hotel operators focus on occupancy rates, average daily rates, and revenue per available room, which are three metrics used to determine success. In today’s current environment, where these three benchmarks have been drastically reduced, hoteliers are looking to increase each guest’s spend while reducing costs.

Think of technology as its own employee. Someone who can work 24/7 without you having to pay overtime. You don’t need to hire more staff – you just need the right tools. With things like data processing, extensive manufacturer and distributor relationships, compliance analysis, line item matching, billing and allocation, technology can be a solution to assist with the complex work of running a business.

From reducing food and beverage costs and saving money on linens and chemicals, to contract management and data cleaning, there are many areas in a hotel operation where technology can be utilized to help you find substantial savings and decrease hotel operational costs.

Use Technology to Decrease Hotel Operational Costs

The use of technology has many benefits and can help you increase efficiency, save time, reduce labor costs, and identify areas of savings. When you have so much time and money invested into something you love, such as your business, it’s hard to hand off responsibilities or lean on solutions such as technology. You want to be hands on in every aspect that goes into running your operation. Unfortunately, there is only one of you – and you only have two hands.

Running areas of your hotel operation such as the kitchen and managing inventory are time consuming and require paying attention to details such as price trends, counting supplies and placing orders. Taking advantage of tools such as a food cost management software can be the second pair of eyes and arms you need to take some of the burden off you and your team. You can automate processes and free up employees to do other things needed to keep your operation running.

With the use of technology and automation, comes a whole lot of data. Data is generated from so many different places such as manufacturers, distributors and vendors that it can be messy and hard to organize. Your purchasing department alone generates a tremendous amount of data. Having access to technology such as spend management tools can help you track spend in real-time and provides customized reporting to help you make quicker more accurate business decisions.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone – Join a GPO!

A tremendous opportunity to decrease hotel costs lies in working with a group purchasing organization (GPO). While the basic principle, leveraging the collective buying power of its members, holds true for all GPOs, the purchasing power varies. The purchasing power of Source1 Purchasing is $20 billion, making it one of the largest GPOs serving the hospitality sector.

This means when you become a member, your buying power has drastically increased, leading to better pricing and bigger rebates. Smaller hotel chains and independent operators can then compete with the big brands in terms of purchasing power. The whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Start saving today!

Remember the days when “customer service” was the keyword in the hospitality industry? Hotels, casinos, and restaurants spent days training staff on the many intricacies involved in ensuring their brand and business was noted for going the extra mile. Now, that same staff is learning the intricacies of hygiene. Making small changes such as replacing air dryers with paper hand towel solutions can make a big difference.

The Seattle Times reported the sad statistic that, at the end of 2020, U.S. hotels neared 1 billion in unsold rooms. That number accounts for approximately $46 billion in lost revenue. As COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures begin lifting, hotels and casinos are left to determine how they can attract the consumers that are slowly emerging from lockdown.

Increasing Sanitation Practices

A recent survey revealed that improvement in the sanitation practices at hotels would have a considerable impact on their customers’ comfort level. These practices included face coverings for employees, suspending daily housekeeping, using technology to reduce contact, adding transparent barriers, and signage for washing hands.

In an attempt to increase sanitation practices, some hotels have replaced paper towels with air dryers. Unfortunately, this misguided, though good-intention act, is not recommended by scientists nor appreciated by guests. Did you know that *33% of hospitality users surveyed in North America feel unsafe when entering a restroom with air dryers and *70% of hospitality respondents surveyed agree with the statement “I wish more facilities offered paper hand towels as an alternative to air dryers”.

Let’s look at what the latest reports tell us.

Studies Promote Paper Hand Towels

A study reported in Harvard Health Publishing found that hand dryers in public restrooms draw in bacteria from the air that then falls onto the hands of guests using the dryers.

When Petri dishes were set in bathrooms without the use of hand dryers, one colony of bacteria, at the most, grew on the dishes. When Petri dishes were exposed to air from a hand dryer, up to 254 colonies emerged.

The report concluded that the most hygienic way to wash your hands is using paper hand towels.

Scientific data also reports that jet air dryers can spread up to 10 times more germs in the environment. A study conducted by U.K.-based researchers revealed that paper hand towels were more effective than hand air dryers for removing viruses left behind after hands are washed.

Bacteriophages, a virus that kills bacteria, were applied to participants’ hands before being dried by paper towels or a jet air dryer. Not only did more remain on the hands that used air dryers, but the participant’s clothing also held five times more virus and surfaces carried ten times more. This means that not only can the virus be transferred by the person’s hands, but the jet air dry also increases contamination by blowing the virus around. The researchers’ conclusion, “Paper towels should be the preferred way to dry hands after washing and so reduce the risk of contamination and spread.”

One of the keys to the importance of using paper towels lies in the increased risk of transmitting bacteria when hands are not dried entirely before leaving a restroom. One study found that wet hands can spread up to 1000 times more bacteria than dry hands. Unfortunately, *62% of air dry users say they stop using the device before their hands are completely dry because it takes too long to complete.

Yet another study sprayed participants’ hands with a harmless strain of E.coli. After washing and then drying with either an air dryer or paper towels, researchers determined that dryers removed only 23% of the bacteria while paper towels wiped out *71%. They concluded that the friction caused by drying with paper towels dislodged bacteria from the skin’s surface.

Customers Request Paper Towels

Science has spoken, but what about your guests and their comfort level? According to an international study conducted by United Minds in cooperation with CINT, *70% of respondents wished more facilities offered paper hand towels as an alternative to air dryers, and 75% use these same paper towels to avoid touching other surfaces in the restroom. Surprisingly, *33% said they felt unsafe entering a restroom equipped with air dryers.

The most notable statistic was this: *41% of respondents said they were less likely to go to places that did not offer paper hand towels as a drying alternative. This means that over one-third of consumers may not return if a business does not offer paper towels for hand drying.

Some brands note the increased difficulty in maintaining clean facilities when using paper towels, or the ongoing need to keep them stocked. Checking and refilling put extra pressure and demands on busy staff.

The answer to this issue is the Tork PeakServe^® continuous hand towel dispenser. This high-capacity, touch-free hand towel solution is fast and easy to refill and top up, freeing up staff for other activities. Watch this video to see how simple it is to refill.

It’s clear that the pandemic has brought hygiene to the forefront of consumers’ minds. It’s also clear that switching from air dryers to paper towels should be a part of your hygiene procedures. This one simple act can help your guests feel safer and reduce the risk of germ spread.

Hand Towel Solutions

Thankfully, there’s an easy solution. Help your guests feel safer by using Tork PeakServe® Continuous hand towel systems. It’s a hygienic, fast-dispensing, touch-free system that uses 50% compressed bundles to offer the highest capacity on the market, ensuring that hand towels are always available to your guests.

Learn how you can save on safe paper hand towel solutions when you become a Source1 Purchasing member! Contact us today!

 

2020 April Survey conducted by United Minds in cooperation with CINT using web-panels. The survey covered the US, with a total of 1012 respondents

Looking to lower hotel food costs?

Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) started in the healthcare industry and quickly spread to education, electronics, manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality. While their services have expanded since their birth in 1910, most operate under one important premise—the diffused purchasing power of a group of businesses, when combined and leveraged, produces a powerful collective buying power. As Aristotle said over 2,300 years ago, “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”

Hotels leverage this buying power to lower food costs, increase quality, and manage their inventory and supplies. Let’s take a look at just how a GPO can lower hotel food costs.

Imagine that you’re the operator or owner of a large-scale hotel with thousands of locations. Think Marriott International with over 7,000 properties in 131 countries. You can be assured that when you contact a supplier, you’re going to get the best possible price. The competitive advantage is palpable.

At Source1 Purchasing, we have 60,000 locations, more than 350 manufacturer contracts, 165,000 rebated line items, and $12 billion in purchasing power.

Not bad. Now imagine that we’ve become a part of your team, finding the right suppliers for your needs and ensuring you’re receiving the best possible price. Move over Marriott.

At Source1 Purchasing, we specialize in hospitality and food service.

This means that we do more than simply lower food costs. We’ll also take a look at your menu, plating costs, and inventory controls to look for potential savings. In today’s environment, it’s important to search for every business-building and cost-saving strategy.

Even though room revenue is considered the heart of hotel profitability, food and beverage sales can impact direct sales as well as occupancy rate. If guests are staying in a specific area, and they have a choice of one hotel that offers stand-out food and cocktails at reasonable rates, or another that puts little attention into their food and beverage program, which one will they choose?

Success is measured by the ability to maximize revenues while containing costs in all departments.

It’s not uncommon for hotels to leave the responsibility of purchasing, costing, inventory control, and menu design in the hands of the chef or food and beverage manager. These responsibilities, along with scheduling, food preparation, and ensuring guest satisfaction can leave little in the way for supply assessment.

For this reason, many in the hotel industry simply go along with their favorite suppliers year after year. Chefs may talk with their distributors if there’s a menu change, ask about specials, or simply establish a regular delivery schedule that rarely deviates.

Working with a GPO changes all of that.

At Source1 Purchasing, we work with both broadline distributors and specialty suppliers. This ensures a reliable, cost-effective supply chain. We’ll find the highest quality and best costs for each product and ensure contracts are up-to-date. Now, the hotel is working with one supplier that provides all-inclusive inventory and cost management solutions. Group Purchasing, that’s personal!

Chefs and operators get to do what they do best—create memorable meals and guest experiences that keep clients coming back for more and telling their friends.

As with all businesses, no two are usually ever quite alike. The same is true for GPOs. At Source1 Purchasing, we pride ourselves on becoming members of our client’s team. We’re committed to helping our customers increase their bottom line while providing their guests with high-quality products and exceptional service.

To this end, we take a deep dive into analytics. This data provides us with the information we need to ensure you are buying from the right suppliers, have the right contracts in place, experience the benefits of a solid supply chain, and have instituted the proper inventory controls.

Our supply-chain experts and their individual attention to a savings analysis of each product ensure you’re getting the best price for top quality.

In addition to food and beverage supplies, we procure everyday operating supplies and products. In fact, we work with some of the top manufacturers in the hotel industry, including American Hotel Register Company, World Amenities, and Chef Works, to name a few.

Like a cog in a wheel, while seemingly insignificant, it is vital to the momentum. One broken cog, and the wheel simply stops. A hotel has many moving parts and each part plays into the success of the business. At Source1 Purchasing, we’re here to help you keep your wheel turning toward maximum profitability.