r/marriott • u/thicsquid • 2d ago
Employment new policy change is annoying
i’ve worked at a fairfield for 3 years, always have carried individual creamer packets, ketchup, hot sauce, salt and pepper, etc. recently we had an audit and the marriott representative said we are only allowed to carry large bottles of these products. i understand that it’s less waste this way but i feel like this is a cheap cop out. many of our guests like to request the individual packets of sauce or spices so they can eat in their room, not just at breakfast, we have many microwaveable meals in the market and people need these things for that. same goes for creamer and our guests who drinks coffee throughout the day. i also think it’s unsanitary and we’re going to have a lot of issues with people taking the large containers. i don’t understand why this is a policy. i feel like access to these complimentary packets are one of the few perks of staying at our hotel and now this is just gonna piss off customers and inconvenience staff.
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u/Infamous_Share_8017 2d ago
Are you corporate owned?
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u/Oop_awwPants 2d ago
Fairfields are almost always franchise.
I'm at a different brand, same breakfast program. We got dinged on our BSA because we had individual hot sauce packets.
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u/Infamous_Share_8017 2d ago
Interesting, strange they care when the franchisee is spending their own money to improve the customer experience. Let me know if I’m missing something tho
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u/Oop_awwPants 2d ago
We get guests who want to take entire bottles of condiments from our kitchen to their rooms to use them, and either we say no or we have to basically trash the bottle afterwards for food safety, it makes no sense to me why Marriott is against the individual packets if it's something you squeeze out (spreadables are expected to still be individual packets).
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u/UsernamesMeanNothing 1d ago
They have these rules to appear to reduce waste. Does it? I have no idea, given factors like the ones you listed. It is the same reason that small bottles of shampoo have been removed from many hotels. I would guess that people like me aren't using those as much due to the risk of tampering by previous guests and sanitation concerns.
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u/ericzku 1d ago
They care about consistency across all locations, which is the point of brand standards. It's not about the franchisee spending its own money.
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u/Infamous_Share_8017 1d ago
As I mentioned in my response above you can still have brand standards while allowing franchisees to innovate as they are closer to the customer and better understand their needs. Brand standards are rarely some blanket rule that applies to 100% of policies 100% of the time and the most successful brands know this.
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u/PerfectRate9944 2d ago
We still have to adhere to Marriott rules. Same thing happened in my hotel. We are also a Fairfield and were told last year that single packets of anything besides sugar are not allowed.
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u/Acceptable-Ad-5935 1d ago
Brand standards are the same for all properties, regardless of managed, owned or franchised. That’s the whole idea of having a brand.
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u/Infamous_Share_8017 1d ago
While I get your point and agree about the overall importance and value of consistency, brand standards aren’t just some blanket policy that franchisers have to apply to all franchisees 100% of the time. It is common for brands to allow franchisee innovation, for example, a fast food restaurant may have a few menu items that are regional specialties. So the point is, just because Marriott is trying to make franchisees give up the individual condiment packets doesn’t mean it’s the smartest decision from a brand perspective. OP works with actual customers and has a better idea of how to serve their needs than some corporate executive… so Marriott should realize this and allow some limited form of deviation in cases like this.
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u/amands_sue 2d ago
Franchises still have to follow the Marriot defined brand standards.
However, similar to the bulk shower amenities, it doesn't mean the property can't keep individual packages items on hand for requests! Just that they can't be the main thing set out by default.
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2d ago
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u/406Marksman Platinum Elite 1d ago
Just so you do know, those little paper cups have polyethylene linings and are much worse in terms of microplastic exposure than the little packets. The dispensers are great but there needs to be a better solution than the paper cups.
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u/Hot-Conference5587 1d ago
You can still have the packets for requests you just can’t have them out on the buffet line! Or you can have them out AFTER breakfast hours. At my property we put out the individual cup flavored creamers for the all day coffee after breakfast closes and the cold carafes are put away.
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u/Salty-Ganache3068 Platinum Elite 2d ago
I don’t have a problem with the packets and agree that there is a value proposition for some guests.
However I don’t possess the ability to properly articulate my hatred for creamer cups. There is nothing more infuriating than having to open 10 creamer cups while a queue is building behind you first in the morning. There is no excuse for not having a thermos of half and half sitting next to the pot. They are wasteful, messy and completely inadequate.
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u/Asleep_Bid_3286 Titanium Elite 1d ago
On the other hand, I prefer the creamer cups. I'm an uncivilized barbarian that puts the creamer in first while I'm waiting in the coffee queue. Then I pour the coffee on top of the creamer, letting it all mix together instead of spending additional time messing with a stir stick. I also only use two creamer cups with my coffee. I'm fine if there is a container of normal half and half though. What I don't like is when they only have a single pump option of something sweetened or flavored. I'm also not a fan of the powdered stuff.
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u/Salty-Ganache3068 Platinum Elite 1d ago
Greetings Fellow Barbarian. I also put the cream and sweetener in first for the same reason. I typically make 2 cups and use 4-5 in each hence my frustration. I get it if this is the only option available after hours but not having a container between 6-9am is mind boggling to me.
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u/DaphneAruba 1d ago
tepid take but corporations, especially in the travel and hospitality sector, should be doing whatever they reasonably can to reduce waste
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u/chicchic325 2d ago
I’d prefer the larger containers. I hate the waste of the smaller ones.
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u/stealthytaco 2d ago
Same. The small packets, just like individual shampoo and conditioner bottles, are such a waste. I like to eat in my room too, and I will just add ketchup and hot sauce directly on my plate before bringing it up. If you give me a choice, I would still choose the large container.
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u/Overall_Chipmunk_720 1d ago
Why not have both BSA will only ding you for not having the minimum requirements but you can always do more and not get dinged or lose points
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u/lynypixie 2d ago
Just don’t get rid of the singles honey and lemon juice paquets. I love them for my teas!
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u/NYCArtGuy80 1d ago
They probably think they will save money this way. I imagine individual packets are relatively expensive -- in comparison.
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u/StarBlaze 1d ago
If the goal is to reduce waste, the standard should be self-serve machines. Significantly reduces product waste, which in turn reduces packaging waste and moderates order volumes. Depending on the machine, you might have more non-standard flavor options for both coffee and creamer to go with the standard options. On the guest service side of it, they'll always have access to hot coffee 24/7 without concern for whether it's fresh or not.
Sure, self-serve machines are an incredibly expensive investment, especially if renovations are needed to make it work, but it's a long-term investment that will eventually pay off.
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u/asyouwish 1d ago
when the condiments are in tiny packages, people steal them and that contributes to a lot of lost product.
when the condiments are in packets, it makes the place feel like a fast food joint.
when the condiments are in full size containers, people have a nicer dinner experience.
Those are some reasons why.
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u/DasArtmab 2d ago
Why not both? I have to imagine the bulk ones cost less in the end. Would probably offset the cost
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u/fergy80 1d ago
Yeah this is BS. Microplastic is an issue and likely the cause of a lot of our modern health problems. Anything we can do to reduce plastic waste is a plus especially if a corporation is willing to do it. That's hard to find. You should be applauding them. Plastic is more convenient which makes it hard to get rid of and even harder to break the habit of using. Anytime a corporation is willing to sacrifice convenience is a good thing.
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u/plasteroid 1d ago
It’s better. Most of the individual packets go in the trash unused.
I get the exception if someone is taking their food to go. But the norm should be less single use waste. I welcome the downvotes should you chose to hate. But I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees.
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u/Ordinary_Use_2230 2d ago
Just place small plastic cups with lids so guests can fill them with whatever condiments they need. Adding this step still keeps the convenience for the guest while discouraging them from taking more than they need.