With the pandemic forcing restaurants into a new way of operating, many had to implement changes that they might not have foreseen. But, as Datassential notes, “at their core, most problems consumers identified [during COVID-19] weren’t stemming from new needs.” As a result, many of these new choices or ways of working could benefit customers...
PREPARING YOUR RESTAURANT FOR THE REST OF THE PANDEMIC Staggered reopening mandates and varying sanitation guidelines from state to state have made operating a safe restaurant during COVID-19 a moving target. With the duration of the virus still unknown, restaurant operators will continue to face new and varying operational challenges. So here are some strategies...
Boxed lunches. Prepackaged snacks. Bottled soda, coffee and water. As employees return to the office, health and safety will be front and center—and that includes how everyone can eat at work. And restaurants who can pivot from buffet-style catering to individual meal solutions will be the first to get the call. So here are a...
As time ticks on, doors to restaurants are opening for indoor and outdoor dining state by state. We know that as a restaurant owner or manager, you have been spending countless hours cleaning, sanitizing and preparing to open. But have you been reaching diners who are hungrily searching the internet for what to eat? Consider...
While people continue to navigate their new normal, one constant has emerged in dining: Guests are craving comfort food now more than ever. Diners report having a hunger for comfort foods 25% more than before, and 40% of them are motivated to order because of that craving. Thinking of how you can seize on this...
Even as many restaurants are now fully reopen, revenues on the whole are down compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Consumers are still cautious about returning to dining in as previously accustomed to, necessitating that curbside, drive-thru and delivery become mainstays in your restaurant’s sales quiver—at least for the time being. So how do you prioritize your...
According to Dataessential research, 47% of diners are willing to dine-in at a restaurant with outdoor or patio seating. So if you’re considering maximizing your restaurant’s capacity by expanding outdoors, now may be a good time to think about the logistics of your setup, safety measures and curb appeal. START WITH THE BASICS By expanding...
Despite all the challenges associated with reopening your restaurant’s dining room, there’s a reason to make the effort: people miss dining out. According to a QSR Magazine survey, 70% of respondents say that dining out would help them feel normal again. We’ve covered ways to bring customers back to the dining room, but another crucial...
As restaurants continue to open their dining rooms, one staple of the sit-down experience may never look the same—the menu. Traditionally a high-touch surface for guests, menus of the handheld variety are being rethought to reduce the spread of germs and contact points at the table. Consider these ways to evolve your menu to make...
Moving forward, the dine-in experience will look very different for your team and your guests. So anticipating everyone’s concerns, needs and demands now will help your restaurant return to profitability sooner. If you’re ready to reopen, we’re ready to help you navigate the new normal with checklists and strategies that will prepare your operations for...
