Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, business owners have wondered about the best course of action. This holds especially true for restaurant owners. From limiting hours, to closing doors entirely, to reopening once again, local restaurants have faced a lot of decisions over the past few months. With circumstances constantly changing, that sense of uncertainty is still prevalent. Fortunately, there are a few practices that have proven effective during this time. If you’re wondering how your restaurant can succeed during COVID-19 and throughout the months to come, check out these ideas.
Emphasize Safety
You already know that there are several steps you must take to meet health and safety measures in your business. However, it’s important to take these precautions seriously instead of just as another regulation. Learn what you need to open safely and make it your top priority. Find out what the best practices are and continue to uphold them, even if your local or federal regulations vary. When you create a safe and healthy environment for both patrons and staff, you show how much you care about everyone you come into contact with.
Become a Member of the Community
Everyone is facing the effects of coronavirus, which means no one has to go through this time alone. Now is the perfect opportunity to reinforce your place in your local community. Become a solid, reassuring presence in your neighborhood as well as a place for patrons to unwind for a little while. Every time you take a step toward reopening, think of it as a way of rejoining with the community—especially if you’ve had to completely shut down in the past few months. Let the community know how you’ve changed things and how you still plan on serving your customers. Advertise your re-opening and offer specials and discounts to let people know you’re back.
Make It Easy for Customers
In an age of such uncertainty, one of the ways your restaurant can succeed during COVID-19 is by making your business easy for customers to access. Whether you’re limited to takeout and delivery or you’re fully opening your doors again, you need to focus your efforts on creating a simple and efficient experience for your patrons. This might mean stepping out of your comfort zone to offer delivery, takeout, and online orders. Do what you must to make it as simple as possible for customers to get your food. When you have a stress-free and welcoming experience, your customers will want to keep coming back to you throughout the pandemic.