Restaurants are the core of multiple communities. People used to enjoy date nights, family gatherings, and celebrate events, functions, and parties in restaurants. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic hits massively the restaurant industry. Luckily, both national chains and independently owned restaurants are adapting quickly and strategically in ways to serve the communities. We are glad to know about the willingness to adjust and quick measures, establishments of multiple locations, different sizes, and niches have managed to stay afloat. As more restaurants are opening in the current pandemic, we can assume that some of these changes will last and have a lifelong impact on us.
The restaurant industry has been modernized and has reached the scientific level of health and safety protocols. Technology has shown some vital resources for restaurants that include QR code-based menus to app-based reservations and ordering. These tools will help restaurants to grow after this pandemic as well. Similarly, for restaurants looking for ideas or inspiration, here are five of the best strategies:
Restaurants that are primarily dealing in carry-out and delivery modes of business are more successful during this pandemic. Stats show that online orders generated more than $45 billion in 2020. Takeaways and deliveries are now dominating over the dine-in and now it’s becoming a trend and it will remain valuable after the pandemic also. When this pandemic end and the restaurants will reopen, the public might not feel safe dining in. Online ordering is getting popular and deliveries are easier than before which will carry this trend in the future.
There are many benefits of Ghost Kitchens that we can’t ignore or overlook. Since it requires less space and no such furnishing is required. Overhead costs can be reduced to a minimum. Food experts are predicting that Full-service restaurants may not survive until the next few years if the situation remains the same either they have to move to the gosht kitchens for fast recovery and sustainability.
According to the latest stats by the National Restaurant Association more than 1 million restaurants are in crisis during this Covid-19. Restaurants are making and implementing strategies to build the connection between the restaurant and the diner. Now a day’s people are not looking for that comfort level and the ambiance they were looking for before this pandemic. What customer needs is a trust level that your restaurant serves proper hygienic food and take all the necessary precautions while making the food and this could be only done when you have a strong connection with the customers. Customers should have faith and trust in you that you care for them.
Danny Meyer, the famous restaurateur, and author of Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality and Business says it perfectly: “Business, like life, is all about how you make people feel.
Due to Covid-19 nowadays to choose a restaurant the top priority in consumer mind is safety. Search quires for “is food delivery safe” has been increased by 650% in the U.S. A restaurant needs to ensure its customers that you are taking all safety measures and you are concerned about the safety.
Make sure that the employees are handwashing (e.g. before, during, and after preparing food; after touching garbage) properly with soap or any hand wash with water for at least 20 seconds and increase monitoring to ensure adherence.
Handling used or dirty food service items
Encourage your employees to always cover while coughing and sneezing with the inside of their elbow and tissues. Disposed of the tissues in the trash and hands should be washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Sanitize your hands properly.
Due to the current Pandemic situation providing customers the option to order online is key to success. You should have a proper staff available to get the orders online and to answer the online queries. After taking the orders your restaurant should have a clear path where the expeditor immediately conveys the orders to the kitchen. Enroll your restaurant in the online 3rd parties food apps where people search and order online. Add some complements to your meals that bring some extra personal touch.
Restaurants should focus on expanding the delivery options like where customers can grab their food. You can offer Drive-thru, Pick-ups, and Free Home Delivery. Free Home delivery is the most option that every restaurant should offer. For this purpose, the restaurant can either hire their rider or can deal with some 3rd party who are experts in deliveries. Another option that is widely used in contactless delivery, where customers place the order Pay it via credit card and get their food delivered to their doorstep.
