# Ecolab KitchenIQ — user reviews > 71 indexed App Store user reviews of Ecolab KitchenIQ by Jaywalking, LLC, rated 2.90/5 from 252 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecolab-kitcheniq/id1600735829/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecolab-kitcheniq/id1600735829.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 92 · 4★ 17 · 3★ 18 · 2★ 26 · 1★ 99 ## What do users think of Ecolab KitchenIQ? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Useful for Chick-fil-A - 👍 Great for restaurant management - 👍 Helpful for team visibility - 👍 Good for tracking tasks - 👍 Supports business systems **Cons** - 👎 Update destroyed app functionality - 👎 Aggressive shift to BOH focus - 👎 Erasure of FOH tools - 👎 Unusable after updates - 👎 Not user-friendly - 👎 Interface is a downgrade - 👎 Lost old features - 👎 Paper and pen now preferred - 👎 Costly for features - 👎 Can be distracting for employees **Commonly reported bugs** - Bluetooth popup every time - Shift lead assignment broken - Checklists impossible to find - Suggested break time feature is idiotic - Safe count addition feature removed - Safe count entry requires 'enter' to save - Waste screen is blank - Breaks don't make sense/show all - Scheduling doesn't sync - Cannot see recognition/infractions well - Morning/afternoon shifts mixed - Shows suggested break time instead of arrival - Checklists impossible to find/access - Breaks show all areas, not specific - People show up with two breaks - Manual input of times changes hours - App crashes when opening tokens - App is randomly down/unusable - Repeated login attempts required - Randomly logs out - Doesn't work half the time - Glitchy - Chat doesn't work consistently - App stops working - Cannot access from iPad/laptop/cell phone - Cannot make an account - Error: Couldn't get team feed data- 1064 - Checklist doesn't let you take pictures - Redeemed reward took points but no reward - App is useless on iPad - App is a distraction - Kicked off, not recognized as active store **Most requested features** - Remove Bluetooth popup - Revert to old version/features - Bring back recognitions/top performers/birthdays/anniversaries - Make shift lead assignment functional - Simplify finding shift setups - Allow direct access to specific dayparts for setups - Remove suggested break times - Bring back safe count addition feature - Make safe count entry easier - Restore checklist point values - Make waste tracking functional - Allow sync with scheduling updates - Improve visibility of recognition/infractions - Make checklists easier to use - Fix morning/afternoon shift mixing on roster - Show actual shift arrival times, not suggested break times - Make checklists easier to find/access - Allow reordering of setup positions - Bring back shift notes - Make broadcasts more appealing - Restore trainer data - Restore previous shift leaders feature - Show completion per shift, not just whole day - Fix sync with Hot Schedules - Show FOH people when making FOH setup - Allow sorting setups by arrival time - Fix constant sign-outs - Improve WiFi connectivity requirements - Add ability to zoom in/out - Add ability to save photos - Add more emojis - Add desktop/iPad version - Add ability to search message content - Fix token redemption issues - Fix profile picture changes - Allow printing of infractions/recognitions - Allow assigning checklists to groups - Restore points for removed infractions - Fix SQL syntax errors - Fix team feed data errors - Make app work on iPad - Make app work on desktop - Allow printing hard copies of infractions ## Newest reviews (20 of 71) ### 3/5 — Top Performer *2026-07-17, version 3.0.3* Is there a way to do top performer on the new update? I see it in the ads pictures but don’t know how to do it. Please let me know! ### 1/5 — I missed the old kitchen IQ *2026-07-01, version 3.0.1* The new kitchen IQ 3.0 update is absolutely horrible. You can no longer give out top performers, and recognitions are no longer broadcasted. As a result of this, team members are now no longer motivated to put their best into what they’re doing because they cannot get recognized for it. The new interface is very hard to navigate and it is just overall a lot worse than the older versions. please bring back the old version!!!!!!! ### 2/5 — Downhill since EcoLab Happened *2026-06-21, version 3.0.1* In this new 3.0 update—they announced new features for checklists. What they didn’t announce was they REMOVED features that we use everyday. Like the team feed where we can see recognitions, birthdays, anniversaries that are coming up. Also, the features that we still do have don’t even work properly. I wish we could revert to the previous update so badly. No matter what area of the restaurant you’re in, you see ALL the breaks for ALL areas on your setup. Plus everyone is showing up with two breaks instead of one. We have to manually input random people as they don’t show up OR people who aren’t working that day at all will show up. When we have to manually put in times, it changes the hours. Example: we put in a 7-2 team member and it changes to 8-3 as soon as you save. And to top it off the new design is a downgrade. I feel like VSBL has this beautiful thing built that was PERFECT! And now it’s changed, and it’s way worse. To support our business we may look into new apps if these crucial things aren’t fixed in a timely manner. Just wanted to give my honest feedback. ### 1/5 — This is the worst update to ever exist. *2026-06-21, version 3.0.1* This update has a UI like it was made by an android user. Our Chickfila locations is now considering alternative options. Safe count no longer adds the totals up. You now have to do that manually. The safe count also gets locked after the shift, so we can’t do it if we are running behind. You now have to click on different sections on the checklist instead of being able to scroll through it. The checklists are now harder to find. Top performers no longer exist which makes less of and incentive for leads to give out recognitions. The section to see the LODs is complicated to look through. Having to click between every day part, switching between FOH and BOH is EXTREMELY annoying. Broadcasts not being a separate page makes it hard to find major updates the team needs to see. I want EcoLab to bring back VSBL. Plus that name just flowed a lot better. If I had one suggestion to EcoLab, it would be to delete whatever they did and return it back to the way it was before. Everything has gone downhill since they took over. IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT!!! ### 1/5 — Worst update ever *2026-06-21, version 3.0.1* The recent update on this app has been detrimental to our store. We are converting back to using paper so we do not have to use the app anymore. The breaks are not functional because it does not show all of them, it is impossible to keep up with infractions and accountability and the fact that we have to sign in every single time to view anything is ridiculous. This used to be a good app but now I would tell anyone that is considering it to not use it. I have yet to hear one positive thing about this new update and the developers need to fix it. ### 2/5 — NEW UPDATE IS AWFUL *2026-06-20, version 3.0.1* i have been using this app since it was called “VSBL” for about 2 ish years now and it has always been great except for the most recent update. it is terrible and my store has been opting to post paper setups in our group chat rather than use this. we rotate positions throughout the shift and trying to make setups while rotating people out is a nightmare. PLEASE BRING BACK OLD SETUPS !!! also, i can no longer put the areas in the order of my liking. i usually reorder them to be iPos, drive thru, front counter, then misc due to ease of seeing the most important positions to get to but i can no longer even do that. ### 1/5 — Sad *2026-06-19, version 3.0.1* This new update is TERRIBLE. You took away everything we loved. Ever since Ecolab took over everything went down hill. Go back to 2.0 version, the app was perfectly fine before. This is terrible and speak for everyone when we say THIS APP IS GARBAGE now. ### 1/5 — Not an update- a completely different app! *2026-06-18, version 3.0.0* Combined shifts with broadcasts, broadcasts look worse- not as nice, makes me not even want to read them. No more shift notes to update team on daily goals, contests, special events, etc. was told I’d have to broadcast if I wanted to get info across, but that’s completely different. Safe count is now like a checklist and doesn’t add it up for you anymore and extremely hard to find. Boh and foh all on the same setup, and breaks now have a suggested time instead of telling me the hours that the team works. Can’t see rewards/tokens in the team section anymore so they’re not as effective. Literally just the worst update, and will probably cost them our store, absolutely horrible. ### 1/5 — Terrible update, revert to previous version *2026-06-17, version 3.0.0* Revert the update I hate how you combined shifts and the feed. Safe counts and shift notes are just gone, and there’s no way to see who the top performer is? Why is any of this necessary??? I can also see chats I’m not supposed to, and all of the trainer data is just gone??? The previous shift leaders is also gone? There’s no completion per shift just the whole day, so even if I get 100% on my shift it doesn’t matter because my morning leader didn’t. Not to mention I’ve experienced crashes. For the first time , which it never has done before. You also can’t easily see where you are on the setup on your Home Screen? A really important part imo. Atp revert the update unless you’re able to put a fully functional bot buggy version out. I keep having to edit this because I find more messed up stuff. It won’t sync with hot schedules , so I cannot see who’s on shift from this, or see who has breaks. This is like the 5th time I’ve come back, but why does my setup show boh people when I’m making a foh setup? Why when I try to add someone to the setup it’s alphabetical order instead of by what time they get there??? Why does it keep signing me out? I need this app to just work and 7 seconds to sign in every time is the opposite of what I want. ### 1/5 — June 2026 update *2026-06-17, version 3.0.0* The update that came in June 2026 makes it’s very difficult to find, assign, and check completion for checklists. There are too many steps to find and assign checklists and no real way to easily look at completed checklists. Having a page solely for checklists like before would be great and make everything much easier. ### 1/5 — What a downgrade *2026-06-17, version 3.0.0* Really loved this app when it was VSBL. Ecolab bought them out and the 3.0 update made it unrecognizable. Multiple features that my work used on a daily basis were removed for no reason. Yet this update was suppose to bring “long awaited features and enhancements.” The app has been gutted and is a shell of its former self. ### 1/5 — New update is terrible *2026-06-17, version 3.0.0* Hard to find breaks, hard to assign checklists, everyone is just assigning themselves their own and it’s so confusing. Had to re sync hotschedules. Just a dumpster fire right now. ### 1/5 — Bad update bad UI *2026-06-16, version 3.0.0* This new update completely messed up everything I had. ### 1/5 — Latest update *2026-06-16, version 3.0.0* I hate the new update it’s awful if I didn’t get reposted my review would be worded very strongly on how much I HATE THE NEW UPDATE go back to how it was and don’t change it anymore. I’d give this app a zero but it won’t let me (you’re lucky) ### 1/5 — App is bad now *2026-06-16, version 3.0.0* I used to rave about this app , and now it’s gone downhill. They could lose the whole cfa chain with this one . ### 1/5 — Horrible Update *2026-06-16, version 3.0.0* Ever since VSBL got bought out from EcoLab this app has gotten worse and worse. The latest update (6/2026) has absolutely destroyed this app. So many useful and wonderful features are now gone. It is an absolute pain to operate now and it has become useful. Our restaurant will be looking for other options. ### 1/5 — Horrible update *2026-06-15, version 3.0.0* This new update sucks. It genuinely makes me want to quit my job ### 1/5 — new update sucks *2026-06-15, version 3.0.0* made it the app so confusing ### 1/5 — Never works *2026-05-29, version 2.13.1* I can never get the app to work if I’m at work. Which is the whole point of this app. It needs so much WiFi to work but it never wants to connect ### 1/5 — BRING BACK VSBL *2026-02-04, version 2.13* I said what I said ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not the app it used to be *2026-08-12, version 3.0.4* Bring back the old vsbl. we are tired of this update and even after many weeks of usage ### 1/5 — Terrible update *2026-08-09, version 3.0.4* The beauty of this app was that the UI made everything visible and easy to access. Now shift leaders are hidden behind expandable buttons, recognitions aren’t visible, breaks are confusing, reviewing checklists are not as clear. Revert the app. We are going to look for a new app if changes aren’t made. ### 1/5 — Horrible after update. EcoLab is is the worst. *2026-08-05, version 3.0.3* If we could give this app zero stars, we would. Since Ecolab took over, it’s become painfully slow, confusing, and frustrating to use. The UI is terrible, navigation takes forever, comments on infractions are not viewable, safe counts and checklists are buried in the UI. in the , and basic tasks take far longer than they should. The team doesn’t even use it sadly, because it is unpractical. For the price, this app is unacceptable. We’re actively looking for a replacement. Booooo EcoLab ### 1/5 — Worst update *2026-07-27, version 3.0.3* Contacted kitchen iq to see if they were planning on changing the app because their reviews have tanked since the update, and they just doubled down saying they wouldn’t listen to the feedback and would only change the bugs. ### 1/5 — Terrible update *2026-07-21, version 3.0.3* I’ve never seen an app ruin their entire usage in one update. Please, just go back to the old layout and design. Your users beg you! ### 1/5 — Stop updating! *2026-07-15, version 3.0.2* There was nothing wrong before the 3.0 update. Terrible glitchy app and now recognitions are not on feeds. ### 1/5 — Update is so terrible, our store now uses paper and pen *2026-07-11, version 3.0.2* You've effectively destroyed this app. The aggressive shift to food safety only and erasure of FOH tools and lists have rendered this app unusable. Can you PLEASE remove the bluetooth popup every SINGLE time we open the app? NO I WILL NOT PROVIDE BLUETOOTH BC WE DO NOT USE THIS FEATURE. Assigning shift leads has broken. Finding shift setups is a stupid maze. (My store has to go to team -> lunch daypart -> setups -> drop down menu -> scroll down to dinner/close.) Why can't I just go to dinner/close to begin with??? Checklists are impossible to find by TMs. We spend at least a 5-10 mins of our allotted closing time trying to help TMs find their checklists. Why would you presume to know the ebbs and flows of every restaurant to determine when we should send our breaks? Some stores are 5 million dollar stores, others are 11 million dollars. The needs of each restaurant are vastly different regarding breaks so your "suggested" break time feature is, quite frankly, idiotic. My restaurant has switched to paper and pen for this. Why would you remove the safe count addition feature? Another area where paper and pen is more useful than this app. Also, the need to press "enter" so your answers are "recorded" is definitely a..... choice. Found that out the hard way when I filled out my safe count only to find all my answers gone...... thus forcing me to recount my entire safe. This was not an issue before so thanks for making it extra annoying. Recognitions? Gone. Top performers? Gone. Bdays and anniversaries? Gone. All checklists have reduced themselves in point values and we cannot figure out how to get them back. Even with the hard about face to BOH focused features, you'd think at least their area of the app is functional. (It's not). Waste is now just a blank white screen. I miss VSBL so dearly. Kitchen IQ is an empty shell of what VSBL used to be. Oh and btw, nobody calls it Kitchen IQ. Much like the destruction of twitter by Elon, we will NEVER concede and it will never be referred to as its attempted rebrand. ### 1/5 — Update to 3.0 is terrible *2026-07-03, version 3.0.2* This app is definitely no longer user friendly and is no where near what it used to be regarding team engagement. I understand the Ecolab aspect of using this app to maintain consistency throughout food safety. But this lacks team member engagement hard. Definitely a horrible update ### 1/5 — Update is awful. Reconsider a different platform. *2026-07-03, version 3.0.2* We use our KitchenIQ for multiple reasons within our business and the updates have not been heard or received by there Support Staff. Please consider our feedback when creating a new platform. Breaks make no sense, scheduling does not have an option to sync when updated, we cannot see recognition or infractions well. Checklists are harder for our team to use. It is not user friendly. ### 1/5 — Unusable after update *2026-07-01, version 3.0.1* Not sure what happened with the recent update but this app is unusable now. Our store is currently looking for a different app to use. Morning and afternoon shifts are now mixed together on the roster so you have to sift through morning and night shift employees when making a set up for the day. It shows the estimated time you should send someone on a break instead of what time arrived to their shift. Checklists assigned to someone are nearly impossible to find / access. Terrible update. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great Systems *2025-07-22, version 2.8.0* Love the value it brings to our restaurant as we have several of our systems incorporated into VSBL ### 5/5 — Great people and app *2025-03-26, version 2.7.2* Highly recommend! ### 5/5 — Personal app *2025-02-05, version 2.7.0* I love the VSBL app. I would love a personal version that you could use and possibly connect with family members :) ### 5/5 — We use at our restaurant and love it! *2024-01-16, version 2.3.8* We love the VSBL! We have even spread the word and have had local Chick-fil-As use it as well. Wasn’t sure about the shifts update, but it’s actually really cool. They thought about everything! As a director of 100+ people, the app helps keep everything together. ### 5/5 — Coolapp *2023-11-06, version 2.3.2* Cool app ### 5/5 — Great and Straightforward *2023-05-09* This app is amazing. I love knowing what I’m working so I don’t have to panic lol. It’s also cool to see the developer responding to questions and concerns ### 5/5 — Great *2023-04-09, version 2.1.8* Just great ### 5/5 — Wonderful support *2023-03-22* Learning and using this app has been helpful for our CFA. When something has come that I need help with the Support Team has answered within a day. They are very helpful. Highly recommend. **Developer response:** We appreciate you SO much! We’re very encouraged by your kind words. Reach out anytime and we’ll be there to help :) ### 5/5 — Game changer *2023-03-03, version 2.1.3* This app is revolutionary ### 5/5 — Such a blessing to be able to see everything… *2022-07-25* Love this App and the way that the VSBL Team is always working so hard to bring together all the information we need in order to be faithful stewards of the business we have been blessed with. **Developer response:** You are a blessing to our community, my friend 🤝 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*