PanPals®: A Smart Solution for Restaurants Facing Labor Shortages
The restaurant industry continues to face a growing challenge: understaffing. According to recent industry reporting, labor shortages are not only costly for operators but are also expected to persist—and potentially worsen over time.
For restaurant teams already stretched thin, this creates ongoing pressure to maintain efficiency, cleanliness, and food safety standards with fewer hands on deck.
So where can operators make an immediate impact?
The Hidden Cost of Cleanup
One of the most time-consuming tasks in any kitchen is cleaning pans, trays, and containers. When staffing is limited, these responsibilities can slow down service, increase labor costs, and pull employees away from higher-value tasks.
In an environment where every minute counts, reducing cleanup time can make a meaningful difference.
Your Best Pal in the Kitchen
PanPals® are designed to help restaurants simplify cleanup and reduce labor demands.
Made from durable nylon, PanPals® can withstand temperatures from -50º to 400º and are available in a variety of sizes to fit everything from soup kettles to full-size hotel pans.
By incorporating PanPals® into daily operations, kitchens can:
- Reduce cleaning time significantly
- Lower water, electricity, and chemical usage
- Prevent grease and food from clogging drains
- Improve overall efficiency with smaller teams
Working Smarter in a Labor-Challenged Industry
With understaffing continuing to impact the industry, solutions that streamline operations are more valuable than ever.
PanPals® allow staff to spend less time scrubbing and more time focusing on food preparation and customer experience—helping restaurants maintain standards even with limited labor.
See the Impact for Yourself
Want to know how much your operation could save in time and cost?
Explore PanPals® and use the savings calculator:
https://foodhandler.com/panpals-no-mess-easy-cleanup-high-heat-pan-liners-and-bags/
References: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/workforce/understaffing-restaurants-costly-likely-get-worse
READ MORE POSTS
Keeping Food Safe While Serving Outdoors
This afternoon I met some friends for lunch and as I drove through our beautiful downtown area in Manhattan, KS, I noticed that many people were taking advantage of the gorgeous weather and dining outside with friends. For our local community - outdoor dining is one of the remnants of COVID that we actually have come to enjoy on beautiful days. With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, many foodservice operations are taking advantage of the warm weather by offering outdoor dining options.
The Importance of Air Gaps in Providing Safe Food to All
Late last month, I was exploring job tasks that are important for entry-level foodservice managers to understand related to food safety. The usual items that you would suspect were on the list were certainly included – foodborne outbreaks; temperature danger zone; physical, biological, and chemical contamination; personal hygiene and proper glove use; HACCP systems, etc. But one thing I noticed was missing that really is integral to protecting the food supply in any foodservice operation is air gaps.
Flour Safety: Don’t Let E. coli become the Secret Ingredient in your Cake.
Earlier this month, we started to see information coming out about a foodborne illness outbreak from an unlikely source – flour. As of early-April, 12 people had fallen ill, and three people had been hospitalized as a result of flour contaminated with Salmonella. While the outbreak is still in its early stages, no individuals have died because of their illness. A specific source has not yet been identified in the outbreak, but all who have fallen ill have reported eating raw batter or dough due before developing symptoms – and flour has been identified as the only common ingredient in these batters and doughs.
Be Proactive and Don’t End Up in Food Safety Jail!
Ok, I admit – there really is no food safety jail. But there is jail and, while it is uncommon, you can be sent there for not practicing food safety. Just the other day, I ran across a news report about two individuals in Wales who were sent to jail (albeit a suspended sentence) for “failing to take action to protect food from the risk of contamination; placing unsafe food on the market; failing to comply with a Remedial Action Notice and operating the business without approval after permission to supply seafood was suspended.”
