The promise of robotic cleaning technology is to transform industries from retail to manufacturing. But achieving real ROI depends on more than just purchasing the machines — it requires expert integration, training, and management. Robots alone don’t guarantee efficiency. The right facility services partner makes all the difference.
That was the situation facing a large national grocery chain. After investing heavily in autonomous floor scrubbers, they expected lower labor demands and more consistent results. Instead, they struggled with underperforming machines, low utilization rates, and cleaning teams pulled away from primary responsibilities. What should have been a low-touch solution quickly became a daily operational burden.
The Challenge: From Potential to Performance
Autonomous cleaning technology has enormous potential, but only if it’s deployed within a structured, scalable program. The grocery chain’s robots were meant to autonomously clean concrete-floored stores across multiple states, but the reality was quite different. Employees found themselves spending too much time intervening with the machines; results were inconsistent, and leadership could not justify the investment with such low utilization.
Without the expertise and systems to support the program, the client risked failing to achieve the return on investment they had been promised.
The Approach: Building a Comprehensive Robotic Program
The grocery chain turned to KBS to take over the management and optimization of the robotic cleaning program across 74 stores. Leveraging our automation technology expertise, we introduced an end-to-end solution designed specifically to integrate robotics into broader janitorial services.
First, KBS worked with the client to redesign the scope of work so that robotic cleaning aligned with the chain’s unique store layouts and operational demands. Next, we trained site-level staff and vendor partners, equipping them with the knowledge needed to oversee and maximize the performance of the machines. Robots were strategically redeployed in each store for maximum impact.
Equally important, KBS established a cycle of ongoing management. Our teams closely monitored performance data, adjusted routes, and fine-tuned operations to keep utilization high. With optional robotic maintenance support included, the client had a single partner managing both the machines and the wider cleaning program.
The Results: A Proven Model for Robotic Facility Services
The impact of KBS’s involvement was immediate. Within just nine weeks, robotic utilization increased by 49% across all sites. The program proved so successful that the grocery chain expanded it fivefold, rolling out KBS’s managed robotics model to hundreds more stores.
- Annual Savings: More than $2 million, a 21% reduction in cleaning and maintenance costs.
- Immediate ROI: Eliminated rental costs for manual equipment and reduced repair expenses through better maintenance.
- Comprehensive Scope: KBS completed the full scope of work — not just robotic oversight — leading to a three-year contract and new efficiency benchmarks chain-wide.
A Smarter Path to Robotic Cleaning
For this grocery chain, partnering with KBS turned robotic ambitions into tangible results. Our experience managing complex facility services programs at scale ensured that robotic technology delivered on its promise.
Robots don’t succeed in isolation. They succeed when paired with a partner who understands cleaning, compliance, staffing, and performance management. At KBS, we bring it all together — people plus technology — to help organizations unlock the true value of autonomous janitorial solutions.
Ready to scale your robotic cleaning program? Request a quote today to see how KBS can help your facilities realize measurable ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Robotic floor scrubbers reduce labor strain, increase consistency, and minimize downtime. When paired with a managed facility services program, they help lower costs and deliver measurable ROI.
Buying robots is just step one. Without proper deployment, training, and oversight, utilization rates stay low. Outsourcing to a provider like KBS ensures robotics are fully integrated into a broader cleaning program for consistent results.
Yes. At KBS, our model blends robotics with trained cleaning professionals. Robots handle repetitive tasks like floor scrubbing, while teams focus on detail work and high-touch areas — maximizing efficiency and quality.
Absolutely. KBS specializes in national programs, helping retailers, logistics providers, and large facilities scale robotic cleaning consistently across dozens or even hundreds of locations.
Savings vary by environment, but KBS helped one grocery chain save $2M annually and reduce overall cleaning costs by 21% through optimized robotics and facility services.
The use of AI robots in commercial cleaning has increased by 50% in the past two years, reflecting growing confidence in robotics as a reliable, cost-saving solution for facility services.
