How restaurants can reduce the impact of COVID-19 - What you should know.
With the spread of the new corona virus, the general public is forced to stay home and restaurateurs are finding ways to realign their respective businesses with online ordering systems.
If you’re a restaurateur, the safety of your staff and guests should be your top priority. You’ll also have to bear the burden of developing a strategy for how you’ll run your business during this turbulent time. Use this opportunity to build a deeper relationship with your loyal customer base. Show how much you care about them by supporting them through the uncertain times ahead. You may find that they’ll support you, too, when everything settles down.
To keep your business running, listed below are some tips that can help you minimize the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on your revenue. From streamlining your operations to appropriate promotional initiatives you can employ, here are strategies that can help you keep your customers:
Make your facility a safe place for guests.
People are cautious about visiting public places for fear of catching the virus, so you need to make sure your restaurant is as clean as possible. The WHO has released a list of disinfectants that effectively kill bacteria and that you can use on surfaces that customers often come in contact with, like doors and light switches. It would be best to provide your team with protective gloves, especially those who handle cash. You’ll also need to schedule multiple cleanings to keep everything sanitized.
To reassure your customers that the food in your restaurant is safe, communicate with them directly through various channels. Prove to them that your restaurant can be a safe place for them to eat. Also, reiterate your efforts through your messaging. Spread the word on social media about the necessary precautions you take to make your guests feel cared for. Do what you can to make guests enjoy eating at your restaurant.
If all else fails, consider closing your restaurant for a while and relying on your cash reserves. Although it’s a risk, it may be necessary if the government requires you to do so or if you can’t guarantee sanitary conditions for your team and customers.
Supported deliveries, pick up and take away
Some local governments limit restaurants to pick-up only (click & collect) and delivery, so this should be something you consider as well. Try to create versions of your food for families to enjoy at home. And since people will most likely still gather in small groups, you can also consider offering them catering options to accommodate more customers.
A good online ordering system like SoTrusty can be a lifesaver during this time. By putting your menu online and making it easy for customers to schedule pickups or deliveries, you’ll ensure that you stay in business without compromising the health of your guests.
Your system should be able to make direct online ordering a breeze. However, you may need to take the initiative to get the word out about your delivery and takeout options. Remind them that by ordering direct, they’re helping to support your business because you don’t have to pay a fee, as you would with third-party vendors.
Cooperate with restaurants in the neighborhood
Other restaurants are no longer your competitors at this point - they should be your partners. See if you can partner with one so you can cut costs. You can share kitchen, resources, staff and supplies. It’s important to help each other out to get through this whole ordeal.
Analyze order information to save on food costs
To further save on the overhead, it’s important to study your ordering system’s data. Find out which menu items you can temporarily eliminate, ideally those that aren’t crowd pleasers. You should also look for the items that your most loyal guests like to order, so you can better plan how to purchase food and supplies.
During this perilous time, it’s important to get creative to stay afloat and be extra empathetic to everyone in your community. Should you need a reliable online ordering system that can handle all of your sales from your smartphone, contact us today. We’ll be happy to help.