First Impressions Matter – Why You Must Keep the Outside of Your Food and Drink Premises Spotlessly Clean

When it comes to running a successful food and drink establishment, what’s on the plate is only part of the picture. 

The outside of your premises is just as important as the inside, especially when it comes to attracting and retaining customers. 

No matter how mouth-watering your menu or how friendly your team, a dirty or neglected exterior can send potential diners heading for the hills – or worse, straight to your competitors.

I recently overheard a comment that really hammered this point home:

“The outside of these premises is filthy. I dread to think what it’s like inside. Let’s go elsewhere.”

A harsh statement – but also brutally honest. And they weren’t alone. Many passers-by judge a café, restaurant, pub or takeaway on its kerb appeal alone.

Let’s dive into why keeping the outside of your food business spotlessly clean is not just good practice – it’s essential.

1. It’s Your Silent Salesperson

The front of your establishment is your first and most visible advert. Dirty windows, overflowing bins, cigarette butts or bird droppings don’t just make your place look unattractive – they actively repel potential customers. A clean, well-maintained frontage sends the message: “We take pride in everything we do.”

2. It Builds Trust in Your Hygiene Standards

Whether consciously or not, customers equate a clean exterior with a clean kitchen. If the outside is grimy or neglected, people will assume hygiene standards are just as lax behind the scenes – and that can be enough to put them off for good.

3. It Keeps You on the Right Side of Inspectors

Environmental health inspectors won’t stop judging your premises once they step outside. Litter, dirty pavements, grease marks, or poorly maintained signage can all influence the overall impression of your food safety standards. Don't give them a reason to question your cleanliness.

4. It Encourages Repeat Visits

People want to feel proud when they bring their friends or family to their favourite local. A sparkling entrance, clean windows, well-kept outdoor seating and fresh signage can help create a welcoming, professional atmosphere that brings people back again and again.

5. It Deters Pests

Overflowing bins, spilled food waste or untidy storage areas outside can attract rats, mice, flies and other pests – all of which are bad news for any food premises. Regular cleaning, along with proper waste management, reduces the risk of infestations.

6. It’s a Marketing Opportunity

A clean exterior provides the perfect canvas for promotional signage, specials boards, or flower displays. Make the most of your space to show off your personality and draw people in. But it only works if everything is clean, tidy and looked after.

How to Keep the Outside Spotless

Daily sweep-downs of pavements, entryways and smoking areas

Pressure washing paths or seating areas weekly or after spills

Regular window cleaning to keep your frontage gleaming

Bin checks – make sure waste areas are neat, with lids on and no spillages

Tidy signage – fix peeling stickers, broken signs or wonky chalkboards

Monitor for graffiti or vandalism – act quickly to clean or report issues

Staff training – include exterior checks in your daily cleaning rota

In Summary

The cleanliness of the outside of your business is not just cosmetic – it’s a direct reflection of your brand, your hygiene, and your professionalism. Don’t let something as simple as a dirty doorway or an overflowing bin drive customers away before they’ve even seen your menu.

As the passer-by said: “I dread to think what it’s like inside.”

Let’s make sure no one says that about your business.