By Justin Ghadery, EverSmith Brands

Franchise brands operate today in a complex environment characterized by regulations, heightened customer expectations (as well as franchisee needs to meet them), and increased competition.

One industry to note is the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry, where safety is a top priority. This encompasses a myriad of things, from fire prevention to hygiene standards and complying with local, state, and federal health codes. This is on top of exceeding ever-changing customer experience demands. Traditional safety solutions at commercial kitchens often rely on manual processes or outdated technologies that struggle to keep pace with modern needs and overall business expectations.

Like many franchise businesses, there’s always a new and better way to do it — introducing Kitchen Guard.

Kitchen Guard launched its B2B franchising concept in late 2023 with a focused mission to enhance and standardize the commercial kitchen exhaust and cleaning safety protocols for restaurants and other businesses that cook and serve food commercially.

Kitchen Guard exemplifies how emerging business service providers can drive value for franchises and customers by simply doing it better in a fragmented market. Its solutions enhance safety and reduce downtime, liability risks, and operational costs — a combination that appeals to franchise owners seeking sustainable growth and standards.

Emerging Trends in Business Services for Franchise Brands

Compliance-Centric Solutions: With regulatory frameworks becoming stricter, franchise brands need service providers that understand and anticipate compliance requirements and changes. Kitchen Guard’s systems are designed to meet stringent fire safety and health regulations (established by the standards established by the National Fire Protection Association), offering peace of mind to restaurant owners without hassle.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility: Franchise brands prioritize sustainability to align with consumer values and meet environmental standards. Kitchen Guard’s eco-friendly Green Steam is an additional service with both an operational benefit and an aesthetic appeal, focused on the front and back of house areas, including kitchen floors, outdoor patios and dumpster areas, parking garages, and more. This added service offering delivers operational benefits that go above and beyond the kitchen.

Customizable and Scalable Offerings: Like a chef, we know a good artisan never blames their tools. And as a business grows, its needs diversity. Business service providers must offer solutions that are both customizable and scalable. Kitchen Guard’s modular service systems, including hood cleaning, filter exchange, green steam, and fan maintenance and repair, allow restaurant franchises to scale their safety infrastructure as they expand, ensuring consistent protection across locations.

The Future of Business Services for Franchise Brands

Kitchen Guard’s trajectory hints at what the future holds but celebrates the true human element of community-based relationship building, partnership, and a superior customer service attitude. As we refine our brand and service offerings and adopt emerging technologies, we’re well-positioned to set new standards in the B2B landscape when possible.

Justin Ghadery is the COO of EverSmith Brands.