How Much Do Restaurant Cleaning Services Cost? A Practical Guide for Operators

Introduction

Keeping a restaurant spotless isn’t just about appearances—it’s about food safety, team morale, inspection readiness, and the guest experience. But when it comes to outsourcing your cleaning, many operators struggle with the same question: How much does it actually cost—and what do you get for your money?

This guide breaks down the real cost of commercial kitchen cleaning services, what’s included (and not), and how to budget smartly without compromising hygiene. Whether you're managing a fast-casual unit or a multi-location group, understanding these numbers is key to running a clean and profitable operation.

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1. What Influences the Cost of Restaurant Cleaning Services?

There’s no flat rate for cleaning a restaurant—because no two restaurants are exactly alike. The cost of hiring professional cleaning services depends on a range of factors that go beyond just square footage.

Let’s take a closer look at what drives pricing:

📏 Restaurant Size & Layout

A 1,000 sq. ft. café with minimal equipment will cost much less than a 5,000 sq. ft. kitchen with multiple prep lines, cold storage zones, and a dish pit. More area means more time, labor, and attention to detail.

🍔 Type of Service Required

Are you looking for surface-level nightly cleaning? Or a deep degreasing of your hood system? Specialized services like pressure washing or duct cleaning require more equipment, time, and technical skill—therefore, they cost more.

🧽 Cleaning Frequency

The more regularly you schedule cleaning, the more efficient (and often cost-effective) it becomes. One-off deep cleans usually come at a higher rate than scheduled maintenance cleanings.

🕒 Time of Service

Cleaning after hours, especially late nights or early mornings, often comes with premium labor rates. This is especially true for 24/7 restaurants that require cleaning to happen during non-standard hours.

🛠 Condition of the Space

If your kitchen hasn’t been deep-cleaned in months, the first session may require more time, chemicals, and labor. This often leads to a “first-time surcharge”—common in catch-up or post-inspection situations.

📍 Location

In high-cost-of-living areas (like NYC, San Francisco, or LA), rates are naturally higher due to labor, rent, and demand. Similarly, remote locations may incur travel or fuel fees for service providers.

📌 The more tailored your cleaning needs, the more customized (and variable) the cost will be.

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2. Average Cost Ranges by Service Type

Now that we’ve covered the “why,” let’s dig into the “how much.” Below is a breakdown of typical price ranges for key restaurant cleaning services. These aren’t exact quotes, but they give you a reliable starting point for building your budget.

💡 Basic Nightly Cleaning (FOH & BOH)

Ideal for restaurants needing daily surface upkeep:

• Includes wiping tables and counters, sweeping/mopping, cleaning bathrooms, and emptying trash.
• ✅ Average Cost: $100–$300 per night
• ✅ Billing: Per visit, weekly, or monthly

Works well when paired with internal staff doing light prep at closing.

🧼 Commercial Kitchen Deep Cleaning

Goes beyond daily wipe-downs to remove grime, grease, and buildup in harder-to-reach areas:

• Includes appliance exteriors, under-equipment zones, walls, drains, floor corners.
• ✅ Average Cost: $300–$800 per session
• ✅ Billing: Monthly or quarterly

Highly recommended before inspections or after high-volume periods.

🌬 Hood & Exhaust System Cleaning

Often required by law or insurance:

• Covers hoods, ductwork, fans, and grease filters (interior).
• ✅ Average Cost: $400–$1,000+
• ✅ Billing: Quarterly or bi-annually

Must comply with NFPA 96 and fire code standards.

💦 Pressure Washing

For outdoor and heavily soiled areas:

• Includes dumpster pads, sidewalk grease, exterior walls, or indoor floors with major buildup.
• ✅ Average Cost: $150–$500 depending on square footage
• ✅ Billing: Per session

Especially useful in summer and high-traffic outdoor areas.

🔎 Emergency / Post-Inspection Deep Clean

For “resetting” your kitchen in urgent cases:

• Includes entire BOH, degreasing, high-touch zones, and sometimes documentation.
• ✅ Average Cost: $500–$1,500+
• ✅ Billing: One-off emergency fee

Often more expensive due to urgency and intensity of the job.

📌 Ask whether quotes are based on square footage, time, or task list—it impacts how pricing scales.

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3. What’s Typically Included (and Not Included)?

It’s easy to assume a cleaning service will “take care of everything,” but in reality, every contract has boundaries. Knowing what’s included (and not) helps avoid frustration and unexpected charges.

✅ Often Included in Standard Packages

• FOH & BOH surface cleaning
• Mopping & sweeping
• Degreasing equipment exteriors
• Restroom cleaning and sanitizing
• Emptying and replacing trash bins
• Light spot cleaning of walls or splash zones

❌ Common Exclusions or Add-Ons

• Inside of ovens, fryers, or refrigeration units
• Drain jetting or enzyme treatment
• High-wall or ceiling degreasing
• Pest control or deep odor treatment
• Cleaning behind or beneath heavy equipment (unless specified)

📌 Clarity is key—always ask for a service checklist or sample invoice before signing.

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4. Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Even with a good quote, surprise fees can creep in—especially if expectations aren’t clearly aligned.

Here are a few red flags to look for:

• 🕓 Late-night or weekend surcharges
• ⚠️ First-time deep cleaning surcharges
• 🚚 Fuel, travel, or parking fees (especially in cities)
• 🧼 Chemical or equipment fees (for pressure washing or hood cleanings)
• 🛠️ “Unplanned” labor time for unexpected buildup or inaccessible areas

📌 The best way to avoid these? Ask upfront: “What’s not included in this estimate?”

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5. How to Reduce Cleaning Costs Without Cutting Quality

While cleanliness is non-negotiable, there are ways to optimize your budget without sacrificing safety or sanitation.

🔁 Bundle Multiple Services

Instead of hiring different vendors for hood cleaning, floor pressure washing, and drain maintenance, work with a single provider—or a platform like Boh—to package services. This often results in better coordination and discounted rates.

🗓 Stay Consistent

Routine cleanings prevent buildup, reduce labor intensity, and eliminate the need for costly “emergency resets.” A regular schedule is more budget-friendly than reactive cleaning.

📋 Empower Your Internal Team

Train your team to handle the daily basics—wiping, mopping, equipment wipe-downs—so your outsourced team can focus on higher-value deep cleaning.

🤝 Use a Centralized Maintenance Partner

Boh helps restaurants simplify and standardize cleaning services across one or multiple locations, with vetted pros, predictable pricing, and centralized reporting.

📌 Smart systems lead to cleaner kitchens—and smarter spending.

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6. What Are the Most Expensive Areas to Clean in a Restaurant?

Not all cleaning tasks are created equal—and neither are their price tags. Some areas require more labor, time, or specialized equipment, which naturally drives up the cost. Understanding this helps you allocate your cleaning budget more effectively.

🔥 Hot Line Equipment (Grills, Fryers, Ovens)

These zones generate the most grease and carbon buildup, especially in high-volume kitchens. Degreasing them properly often requires soaking, scraping, and chemical use.

• Labor-intensive and time-consuming
• Risk of fire if left dirty
• May require disassembly (or specialized tools)

🌬️ Hood Systems & Exhaust Ducts

Cleaning inside the hood and along the ductwork is not just difficult—it’s regulated. It must be performed according to NFPA 96 fire code standards, which means trained professionals and proper documentation.

• Requires specialized equipment
• Takes several hours
• Involves both interior and exterior components

🚰 Drains & Floor Traps

Grease traps, drains, and floor sinks are often neglected until odors appear. Cleaning them properly can involve hydrojetting, enzyme treatments, or manual extraction.

• Hidden, difficult-to-access
• Needs plumbing-safe tools and PPE
• Adds labor and material costs

🧼 Back-of-House Floors

Kitchen floors endure foot traffic, spills, and grease all day. When grime settles into grout lines or under equipment, pressure washing or deep scrubbing is needed.

• Can require hot water pressure systems
• Needs safe chemical use for non-slip surfaces
• May involve moving heavy equipment

📌 By knowing which areas are the most expensive to clean, you can plan ahead—and prioritize preventative maintenance to avoid last-minute surcharges.

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7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Still have questions? Here are some of the most common things restaurant owners and operators ask about cleaning service costs:

💬 Is it cheaper to outsource or hire an in-house cleaning crew?

Outsourcing is often more cost-effective, especially for specialized tasks like hood cleaning or pressure washing. In-house teams require hiring, training, supervision, and insurance—plus you still need to bring in experts for regulated services.

💬 How do I know if I'm overpaying?

Compare your quotes with industry averages (see above), and always ask:

• What’s included?
• What’s excluded?
• How often is service provided?A clear, itemized proposal helps you avoid inflated hourly rates or hidden fees.

💬 Do cleaning companies bring their own supplies?

Yes—most reputable services include all cleaning agents, PPE, and equipment in their rates. If not, clarify what's expected from your side to avoid last-minute surprises.

💬 Can I reduce costs by prepping the space myself?

Absolutely. You can:

• Ensure equipment is off and accessible
• Pre-clean surfaces to reduce labor time
• Provide water access and clear floor areasSmall steps like these can shave off unnecessary time—and cost.

💬 How do I track cleaning quality?

Use cleaning checklists, photo documentation, or digital logs. With platforms like Boh, restaurants get centralized visibility across locations, plus accountability and quality checks from vetted providers.

📌 Asking the right questions helps you avoid bad contracts and build lasting, reliable cleaning partnerships.

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Conclusion

The cost of restaurant cleaning services varies—but the value is clear. Cleanliness isn’t just about presentation. It affects:

• Food safety
• Equipment longevity
• Staff productivity
• Guest satisfaction
• Inspection performance

By understanding what drives cleaning costs, what’s included, and how to avoid surprise fees, restaurant operators can take control of their cleaning budgets without compromising results.

💡 Boh helps you streamline it all—from deep cleaning and hood services to pressure washing and recurring upkeep. We connect restaurants with trusted pros, manage scheduling, and keep pricing predictable.

📌 Need help building a cleaning program that fits your budget and your kitchen? Let’s make it easier—and cleaner.

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