Are you looking for COVID-19 restaurant management tips?

If so, this is the perfect article for you!

COVID-19 is affecting the restaurant industry in a strong way. The entire service structure depends on close encounters between customers and staff. While a restaurant kitchen has always had to mitigate health risks, now there are ever further issues to consider.

Due to the pandemic, most restaurant owners across the states are experiencing a decline in sales. In this article, we will go over our top tips for managing a restaurant during COVID-19 to help you make the best of the current situation.

1: Go Cashless

Cash is a major contributor to spreading germs and viruses. Since cash is dirty, it’s better to opt for cashless payments.

Not only will going caseless avoid the spread of germs, but it will also make your employees and customers feel better knowing that a major risk factor is taken care of.

paying with credit and debit card

2: Boost Creativity

Think outside the box! During this time, everyone is looking for simple solutions and ways to reduce their stress. Your customers’ wants and needs may have changed.

So, if you can find a way to simplify the lives of your customers while also making an extra income, do it!

For example, you could start providing bags full of restaurant-grade ingredients necessary for preparing a delicious meal. This is a great option for people currently staying at home due to quarantine or self-isolation.

Another approach could be partnering up with a delivery company and providing three meals per day for a fixed period. These meals could be DIY or ready-to-eat. Focus on the customer groups living in the surrounding areas and cater to their wants and needs.

3: Make Sense of the CARES Act

Due to COVID-19, the federal government has passed a stimulus bill called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Among other benefits, the CARES Act provides:

  • Tax relief options for businesses and individuals
  • Lending opportunities for small businesses
  • Additional funding for severely impacted industries

See if and how your business can benefit from this bill.

4: Have an Online Presence

Now is the peak time to get online with your restaurant if you haven’t done so already. Many restaurant owners have found that take-out and delivery are their only options for serving the customers.

Since many people are ordering food online, it’s essential to have an online ordering option on your website. It wouldn’t hurt to explore the various delivery apps available in your city as well. These can start generating a healthy revenue stream during the pandemic.

online order from restaurant

Check the latest terms and conditions on some of these delivery apps. You could spot great deals like the wavering of restaurant activation fees. Such COVID-19 measures help you set up the delivery mechanism with lower costs.

5: Communicate Your Safety Precautions

Let your customers know about your restaurant’s COVID-19 safety measures. You can communicate that via social media or through physical signs at the entrance. Make sure to reflect your local community restrictions in the safety measure you take.

Here are some of the most important safety precautions for restaurants:

  • Focus on disinfecting high-contact areas, including tables, doorknobs, light switches and chairs. Sanitization of your restaurant, while has always been important, is now more than ever in order to mitigate the virus.
  • Monitor your staff’s health. Encourage the employees to speak up if they feel any of the coronavirus symptoms. Offer additional sick days.
  • Space out the chairs and tables in order to decrease the risks associated with close contact between your customers. Another option is the removal of seating areas altogether.
  • Communicate the need for a more frequent sanitation of kitchen equipment and food preparation areas.
  • Go over the basics of personal hygiene. For example, ensure that your employees wash their hands with warm water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Reassure your customers by communicating all your efforts of keeping things safe for everyone. Whenever a customer voices a safety concern online or in-person, explain what steps are being taken to address the issue.

6: Support Your Staff

Be there for your employees during these difficult times. Every single person in your staff has an important role. Communities rely on food service workers in order to keep things going. Let your staff know that you have their back.

teamwork effort support

Also, as a restaurant owner, you can stop requiring a doctor’s note whenever an employee calls in sick. Take their word for it and allow them to stay home. Doing this will keep everyone safe during the pandemic.

Consider giving leaves for parents and caregivers. Learn more about the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and see if anyone from your staff qualifies under this Act. They could require that time off to care for their loved ones.

In a Nutshell: Managing Your Restaurant During COVID-19

COVID-19 negatively impacted many industries. The restaurant businesses are no exception here. The high-contact nature of food services has put restaurants under a lot of pressure from the restrictions and guidelines due to the pandemic.

Here’s an overview of some of the ways you can keep your business going, create a safe environment and maximize your income:

  • Take your business online.
  • Take care of your staff and try to make their lives easier during difficult times.
  • Opt for cashless payment methods.
  • Let your customers know about all the safety precautions you have taken.
  • Get creative with your menu and service concepts.

For more information, contact Grease Cycle today.