What It Really Takes to Launch a New Custodial Contract

by Giavanna Fulco | Jul 8, 2025 | Uncategorized

When we begin services at a new site, it may look like a seamless handoff from the outside. But behind the scenes, a custodial contract startup is a complex, carefully managed operation that starts weeks before the first day on-site.

At DFS, we approach every new contract with a detailed startup plan, built around one central goal: setting up our people and clients for long-term success. That means going far beyond just hiring and cleaning, it means building an entire operation from the ground up.

Here’s a look at what really goes into launching a new facility.

1. Planning Starts Long Before Day One

Every successful transition starts with detailed planning, and that begins 30 to 60 days before our team ever sets foot on-site. We hold weekly internal meetings with leaders from HR, Recruiting, Operations, Training, Finance, and Compliance to make sure every detail is covered:

• Reviewing client expectations and scope

• Creating staffing plans and schedules

• Coordinating background checks and badging

• Ordering supplies and equipment

• Mapping out onboarding, payroll, and compliance timelines

These early meetings form the foundation for everything that follows.

2. Building the Right Team, Locally

We make it a priority to hire from the communities we serve. Hosting local recruiting events near the new facility allows us to connect with candidates who are already familiar with the area, resulting in a workforce that is more committed and reliable.

At these events, we often complete much of the onboarding on the spot including fingerprinting, I-9s, document collection, and uniform fittings. This helps streamline the startup and ensures every employee is fully prepared for Day One.

3. Paid Training That Sets the Standard

We invest in hands-on training for every new hire, offering paid orientation sessions where employees learn:

• How to clean efficiently, professionally, and safely

• The proper use of chemicals and equipment

• DFS safety standards and reporting procedures

By training with intention, we help every employee feel confident and capable before they even start.

4. Preparing Supervisors and Managers

Leadership is one of the most important ingredients in a successful startup. Our VP of Operations and senior leadership team conduct specialized training for site supervisors and managers, focusing on:

• How to lead teams and solve problems on the ground

• Managing timekeeping, scheduling, and performance expectations

• Enforcing safety, cleanliness, and cultural standards

This helps create strong leaders who model excellence from the start.

5. Hands-On Vendor Training

To further support safety and quality, we bring in local vendors during training week to demonstrate how to properly use equipment and chemicals. When employees understand their tools, they work smarter and safer.

6. Tech and Operations Setup

In the final days leading up to launch, we turn our attention to operational infrastructure:

• Installing time clocks

• Cataloging rooms in our QA/QC tracking software

• Stocking janitor carts, chemical stations, and supply closets

• Distributing uniforms and radios

• Setting up site-specific communication systems

Everything is mapped and organized so the site runs smoothly from Day One.

7. Onsite Support During Go-Live

Our commitment doesn’t end at launch, it ramps up.

When the site goes live, a dedicated transition team from DFS remains onsite for at least two to three weeks. During this time, we:

• Monitor shift performance

• Provide real-time support to staff and supervisors

• Troubleshoot issues and improve workflows

• Adjust supply systems and resolve gaps

• Reinforce expectations and culture

We don’t just start operations, we stabilize and elevate them.

8. The Final Step: Culture Change

Perhaps the most important, and most often overlooked, part of a startup is shifting the culture on-site.

Many times, we inherit facilities where the workforce has felt unsupported or undervalued. From day one, we work to change that by creating an environment where employees feel:

• Supported by present, hands-on leadership

• Equipped with the tools and training they need

• Respected as professionals

When employees feel pride in their work, the entire facility benefits. And that’s what sets DFS apart.

Building More Than Operations

For us, a startup isn’t just about cleaning floors. It’s about building trust, professionalism, and pride from the ground up. Every site is different, but our approach remains the same: plan thoroughly, hire locally, train intentionally, and lead with care.

That’s how we deliver more than facility services. We deliver solutions that work.

From Dull to Dazzling: How DFS Revived Airport Food Court Floors

by Giavanna Fulco | May 23, 2025 | Uncategorized

Overview

When the floor of a busy airport food court had deteriorated beyond recognition, even industry experts thought there was only one answer: full replacement. But DFS saw something different — potential. Leveraging decades of floor care expertise and a reputation for innovative solutions, the DFS team turned what seemed like an impossible task into a showcase of precision, efficiency, and transformation.

The Problem: Worn, Stained, and Written Off

After years of constant foot traffic, food spills, and wear-and-tear, the food court floors at a major airport were in a severe state of disrepair. The surface was dull, deeply soiled, and riddled with stubborn stains. The damage was so extensive that several floor care specialists deemed restoration unfeasible and recommended full floor replacement — an expensive and disruptive solution.

On top of that, the high visibility and continuous use of the food court meant that any work done in the area would require careful coordination to avoid interfering with travelers and vendors.

The Solution: A Bold Proposal by DFS

DFS was already the trusted custodial partner for other parts of the airport, known for delivering reliable service and expert care. When our custodial manager assessed the condition of the food court floors, they saw an opportunity — not for replacement, but for restoration.

While this area wasn’t covered under DFS’s existing contract, our team offered a bold alternative to the costly replacement plan. With confidence in our advanced floor care methods and experienced crew, we proposed restoring the original floors to their former shine.

The approach offered:

• Significant cost savings

• A faster turnaround

• Minimal disruption to airport operations

Airport leadership agreed, and the project began.

Execution: Precision, Planning, and Performance

The entire restoration project was completed in just six days, demonstrating DFS’s commitment to operational excellence and adaptability.

To ensure the busy food court could continue functioning, DFS implemented a phased approach, dividing the project into manageable sections tackled during off-peak hours.

Our team followed a meticulous three-step restoration process:

1. Stripping layers of embedded grime and buildup
2. Deep cleaning residual debris and preparing the surface
3. Applying a protective finish that brought back the original luster

Each phase was executed with attention to detail, safety, and minimal disruption to travelers and vendors alike.

Results: A Floor That Shines Like New

The transformation was nothing short of remarkable. The floors, once written off as beyond saving, regained their original shine and professional appearance, dramatically enhancing the overall look and feel of the food court.

Airport management was thoroughly impressed — not only with the end result but with the speed, cleanliness, and professionalism of the entire process.

As a direct result of this successful project, DFS was awarded a new contract to manage floor care services in another high-traffic area of the airport, a testament to the trust we earned through performance.

Key Benefits of Floor Restoration with DFS

✅ Cost Savings
Restoring instead of replacing saved the airport a significant amount — funds that could be redirected to other essential improvements.

✅ Efficiency
Our streamlined process allowed for a quick turnaround, minimizing downtime and maintaining service in a critical area of the airport.

✅ Minimal Disruption
By working during off-peak hours and avoiding demolition, we limited noise, dust, and interruptions for both vendors and travelers.

Conclusion: When Others Gave Up, DFS Delivered

This project highlights what DFS does best: finding smart, cost-effective solutions to tough problems. Where others saw failure, we saw opportunity — and delivered outstanding results with professionalism and speed.

If your facility is facing similar challenges, don’t assume replacement is the only answer. Let DFS show you how restoration can save you time, money, and headaches — while making your space shine again.

Clean Sweep! DFW’s ACI Award Reflects DFS’s Dedication

by Giavanna Fulco | Mar 31, 2025 | Uncategorized

For the third consecutive year, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has once again been recognized for its outstanding customer service with 2024 ACI World – Airports Council International Airport Experience Award. This amazing recognition, determined entirely by passenger feedback, places a spotlight on cleanliness as an essential factor contributing to passenger experience.

At DFS, we understand that a well-maintained, spotless airport is paramount to the overall passenger travel experience. Our dedicated janitorial teams at DFW work tirelessly, around the clock, to ensure that every terminal, gate area, and restroom meets the highest standards of cleanliness. Their relentless hard work directly contributes to the airport’s continued success and enhances the journey for millions of travelers each year.

This award isn’t just a win for DFW; it’s a reflection of DFS’s unwavering commitment to excellence. We’re incredibly proud of our teams at DFW, whose hard work and dedication are a testament to our company’s values. Their efforts shine, proving that even the most demanding environments can be transformed into spaces of exceptional cleanliness and comfort. We are honored to play a part in DFW’s continued success, and the positive experiences of the millions of people that travel through DFW airport.