10 Tips to Protect Your Restaurant Business During COVID

The pandemic has dramatically affected people and businesses everywhere, and one of the industries that suffered the most are the restaurant business. Putting people in quarantine meant that restaurants no longer have the traffic where most of their income comes from, and not making the right moves could mean bankruptcy for your restaurant.

Although many parts of the world are now recovering from the pandemic, it’s still too close for comfort, and restaurants must continue to adapt to society’s changing landscape.

With COVID not yet out of the way, there are some things that restaurant owners can do to make sure that their business not only survives but can still thrive despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Being creative will help your business be fully prepared for constant growth once everything goes back to normal.

Offer Delivery and Pick-up Services

One of the biggest challenges for restaurants today is that dining in is just not an option for many people. Some restaurants may be forced to close down because of this, but your business can still cater to people even without having them visit you physically.

To make sure that your business stays running, implement delivery and pick-up system so that people can order remotely and enjoy your products without having to worry about catching the virus outside.  

Reassess Your Menu

Since ordering takeout is now more common than dining in, the quality of your food items that are meant to be enjoyed freshly cooked might be compromised. You can avoid this by making some changes to your menu for more takeout-friendly options.

Another great way to redesign your menu while at the same time offering alluring options to customers is by designing food kits that are made to be delivered at home. This may even net you new customers who aren’t fans of your old menu.

Find Ways to Optimize Expenses

While the coronavirus meant that restaurant businesses have less income, it also means that restaurants have fewer expenses since they don’t have to operate at full capacity, right? It is an unfortunate fact however that sometimes the cut costs are still not enough to compensate for the losses.

In a challenging time such as this, it’s important to limit your expenses only to the essentials. Although this may require you to make tough decisions, remember that the survival of your business should be your paramount concern. 

Invest in Marketing

Being forced to stay at home means that people have way more time to spend online. View this as an opportunity to get your name out there despite what’s happening. Invest in creating engaging content online and in taking advantage of social media to market your business.

Marketing in the midst of COVID will not just help you stay in business, but can also grant you a wider market once things are back to normal.

Interact with Your Audience Online

Aside from marketing through online ads, you can make your business more known by actively interacting with the social media following of your business. This will set you apart from other more traditional businesses and leave a mark on prospective customers.

You could also host online events such as cooking classes in order to reach a wider audience. 

Incorporate Donated Meals to the Menu

Today, people who are more fortunate than others put in the effort to do what they can to help. It’s a perfect opportunity not just for your business to aid in this noble endeavor, but also to increase your sales.

Incorporate an option for customers to order a meal to be donated to the less fortunate as an incentive for them to check your business out. You could even choose to make this donated meal a free item for particular items or as a discounted add-on.

Double Down on Cleaning

With the virus’s continued prevalence, there’s no such thing as cleaning too much. The last thing you want to happen is for someone in your staff to get infected and for people to find out that ordering from your restaurant could pose a health risk.

Always strive to clean at least twice over to make sure that your restaurant and your items and equipment are spotless and virus-free.

Observe Stringent Health Protocols with Staff

In addition to making sure that everything is clean, you also want to ensure that your staff is observing proper health protocols as they are among the ones who are most at risk.

Don’t hesitate to send someone home and impose proper quarantine protocols when they’re exhibiting symptoms of sickness. Also, make sure that everyone is wearing the proper protective equipment available and is keeping their hands clean at all times.

Be Mindful of Suppliers

Your restaurant is perhaps placed at the greatest risk due to suppliers coming in regularly to deliver the needs of your business. Because your suppliers are likely to be engaged in business with many other restaurants, they are subject to the most exposure to health risks, which they can carry to your restaurant.

Make sure that your suppliers are trusted, and that they are observing proper health protocols. If you find that your supplier may put your business at risk, you can always find another more reliable supplier. The hassle of finding another supplier is much more preferable to having the virus brought to your business.

Show That You Care

With many areas now loosening up on restrictions, restaurants now have the option to allow dining in at a limited capacity. If you’re running one of these restaurants, make sure to let your customers know that you’re observing the proper precautions.

Have signs at your restaurant requiring the observance of health protocols, and see to it that your staff are likewise diligent in observing these requirements. This will make sure that your customers feel safe eating in your restaurant. You wouldn’t want to drive away customers because of sloppiness when it comes to implementing health regulations.