Inspection Report

Business Name
Denny's

Business Address
14799 W GRAND AVE SURPRISE AZ 85374

Permit Number
FD-46881

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/28/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

No person on duty with a food manager certification. Person in charge able to correctly answer questions regarding: cold holding, hot holding, sanitation. Manager to coordinate with management to schedule exam soon. SECOND CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION

2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation.

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

Observed hydrated hashbrowns in metal pans in walk-in, marked as prepped at 6:45am with internal temperature of 76-83*F. Person in charge stated foods were prepared same day and was improperly cooled. Manager voluntarily discarded.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling.

Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling.

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

Mac and cheese, american cheese, cheddar cheese, swiss cheese, sliced tomatos, chopped lettuce in right cold holding drawers under grill with an internal temperature of 50-49*F. Person in charge unable to determine when foods last had an internal temperature of 41*F. All cold temperature-controlled foods should be held at 41*F or below. Person in charge volutarily discarded. Recommended checking ambient temperature of units prior to use.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you.https://www.maricopa.gov/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.

Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

Right drawers under grill with an ambient temperature of 63*F. Refrigerators should be held at a temperature of 41*F to hold temperature-controlled foods. Employee mentioned they put in a service request and will be serviced soon. Owner to place out of order sign on unit, and provide work order invoice once completed. No temperature-controlled foods to be held in unit until unit can hold an ambient temperature of 41*F or below. All foods to be held on ice, in neighboring units, or in walk-in at 41*F.

4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. Predefined Comment: All equipment must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair all equipment to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed establishment procedures regarding: refrigeration organization, usage of test strips

"A" for Food Safety

Through our grading system, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department provides at-a-glance indications of how food establishments perform during food safety inspections. This system is designed to grade food establishments in terms of food safety requirements and provide recognition to those who choose to participate.

How does it work?

The issuance of grade cards to food establishments is based on voluntary participation. The person in charge, who is present during the inspection, will be asked whether they would like to participate in the Grading System. This will be decided prior to each inspection. If an establishment does not participate in the Grading System, Not Participating or NP will appear on the inspection report, and the inspection will still occur. If an establishment does participate, a grade of A, B, C, or D will be determined at the conclusion of the inspection using the Grading System chart below. Participating establishments will then be provided with a grade card that can be posted in the establishment. The status of the establishment’s grade will also appear on the Restaurant Ratings page of the department’s website.

How can I determine the grade?

The Grading System chart can be used to determine grades earned for establishments that do not participate. Grades are determined by the number of Priority and Priority Foundation violations received at the time of inspection. Violation types are defined in general terms below.

Definitions

Priority Violation: Major violation that directly contributes to increasing the risk of foodborne illness or injury (e.g. Food employees do not properly wash hands when required).
Priority Foundation Violation: Minor violation that does not directly contribute to an increased risk of foodborne illness but failure to correct this violation may lead to the occurrence of a priority violation. For example, hand washing soap and paper towels not available at hand wash sink (may lead directly to food employees not properly washing hands when required).
Core Violation: Minor violation that relates to general maintenance and sanitation (e.g. No sign reminding employees to wash hands).
Cutting Edge Program: All county food-related establishments can partner with Maricopa County to implement a proactive approach to reducing foodborne illness risk factors by implementing food safety systems that include policies, training, and verification processes. Partners enrolled in the Cutting Edge Program receive an A+ when an A is earned.

Grading System The matrix below is used to grade food inspections under the voluntary grading system.
Violation Category	Grade A	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade D	Grade D
Priority	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	1	2	2	2	more than 2	more than 3
Priority Foundation	0	1	2	3	4	0	1	2	5	3	4	0	1	2	more than 3	more than 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.