Former Fla. restaurateur turns his talents to cleaning

In these tough economic times, it helps to have a niche.
So when Taylor Smith left the restaurant business due to the slumping economy, he settled on an idea few would consider: The less-glamorous business of cleaning restaurants.

Having owned such eateries as Caliente Kitchen in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, Smith knew that restaurant cleaning required more than typical janitorial services, such as wiping down bathrooms or vacuuming the dining room. Restaurants that seek to impress customers require attention to detail as well as a knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment.

Thus, Smith launched CJS Global in March 2012.

Using “green” cleaning supplies, his staff not only services the dining room but also cleans commercial kitchen equipment, such as the grills, fryers, ovens and other equipment where food is cooked. He also pays special attention to luxury details, such as polishing marble floors or dusting often soaring walls of high-end eateries.

“There’s no one like me doing what I do,” he said.

The result?

“He’s absolutely blown up that business,” said Boca Raton restaurant broker Tom Prakas, who has recommended many of his restaurant clients to Smith. “He knows their business, and he’s a really hard worker.”

In less than a year, Smith says he has more than 100 of the top hospitality customers in South Florida. They include Blue Martini, Ipic Theaters, Brewzzi’s, Vic & Angelo’s and The Office, as well as three restaurants operated by restaurateur Gary Rack.

Smith, 33, said the secret to his success has been simple: “I can never accept failure,” he said.

Smith admitted he’s made, and lost, a lot of money in his restaurants, but he knew he still had the drive and common sense to succeed. So despite his tough times in the restaurant industry, he went at his new venture with this approach: “No matter how much I lose, I know I can make it and wake up and it’s a fresh day.”

With that kind of can-do spirit, it’s no wonder his customers are happy.

Take Michelle Evans, corporate controller for restaurants Vic & Angelo’s in Palm Beach Gardens and Delray Beach, plus The Office in Delray Beach and BurgerFi, in Delray Beach and various locations.

“He knows the expectations we are looking for,” Evans said.

Evans said Smith’s staff knows how to clean items caught between the ovens, for example. “It’s a whole different animal than cleaning an office building,” Evans said. “They take pieces off the oven and put it back together. It’s extensive cleaning when it comes to the kitchen.”

Gary Rack, who just opened his third area restaurant, Rack’s Fish House + Oyster Bar in downtown Delray Beach, said he’s also come to rely on Smith’s services. “They’re very accessible and he does a good job,” Rack said. Rack also owns Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park and Table 42 in Boca Raton.

Although Smith’s staff of about 150 people work the nighttime hours, Smith said he also sends out supervisors during the day to visit with customers and check service. His company’s services can range from $500 a week to $5,000 a week, depending on the services required.

Smith got his first break in the cleaning business at Boca Raton’s New York Prime, where operating partner Nick Wood showed him what he expected at the upscale steak house — and what he wasn’t getting from his current cleaning service. “He went with me through my learning curve,” Smith said.

Smith paid close attention to what he was told, Wood said.

“He was very much involved, very dedicated,” Wood said. “Now he’s gotten to the point where the ship is sailing on its own, but it’s due to his personal stamp on it.”

Since starting out with Boca Raton’s New York Prime, Smith said he’s gone on to expand rapidly.

Smith, whose business is based in Boca Raton, plans to expand to Los Angeles in the next two months. He has a support office in Fort Lauderdale for his cleaning staff, and he expects to open other support centers in West Palm Beach and Miami.

For those who are launching a new business, or those have suffered a loss in the past, Smith has this advice to offer:

“You always have to believe in yourself. If you do, you can get anywhere. It’s worked for me.”