4 tips for reopening your restaurant post-COVID (Part 1)
COVID-19 has changed the way businesses operate and the restaurant industry is no exception. Fewer people are willing to commit to in-person dining at restaurant, pubs, bars and those who are willing, are met with limited capacity as restaurants are tasked with adhering to their respective government guidelines.
Yet, can we see some light at the end of tunnel? There is still no certainty with what lies ahead and it is a changing landscape we’re living in. What should restaurants do, to be able to combat against the current climate?
Delivery:
Delivery, delivery, delivery!
Delivery usage has been dramatically accelerated in comparison to this time last year and the previous few months. Since the outbreak, this has become the primary source of revenue for restaurants and this will only continue to grow. Tens of millions of people in Europe will continue work from home, with no change in sight and businesses seeing no reduction in productivity or performance from their workforces, there is no real incentive to change.
Although many restaurants will be positioning themselves or are in the position to reopen for in-person dining, this increase of in-dining numbers should not mean you should reduce your efforts to have a fully operational and functioning Delivery service! If your restaurant does not offer a delivery option yet, now this is the perfect time to work on it. Foodetective is offering 0% Commission for Delivery & Takeaway through our Subscription platform and is a great tool to ensure that you’re not losing out on potential revenue. Don’t miss out on Foodetective and the opportunity to increase your margins and help your business.
Strengthen your Online Presence:
There is no certainty on when the Tourism industry will begin to make its recovery, hence why it is more important than ever to attract the local community to dine and (or) use your Delivery services as they’re the ones that will keep your restaurant going. So, how do we attract and appeal to these social media savvy and food loving fanatics? Well, the surge and adoption of social media has been one of the most successful ways of engaging, gaining and retaining a foothold in today’s competitive environment. Taking significant steps to increase your digital presence and visibility is challenging. Utilize all your social media channels to promote your business and inform potential customers and make them loyal to you with promotional efforts, dinner membership offers, new dishes, change of operating hours, etc. (Tips: Go on Foodetective to let more food loving fanatics discover your restaurant! It’s FREE to Register!)
Marketing
Strengthening your online presence is just one side of the story. At the end of the day, you want to attract and attain customers. Check if you have made your diners subscribe to your news and promotions. Haven’t done it yet? Then it is time for you to start. Email subscribers are usually more loyal than random and one off customers. These followers, subscribers and invested customers have a much higher possibility of coming back to dine again. Making concerted efforts to engage these groups customers base with highlights of safety measures that are in place and adopted; social distancing measures, hygiene measures for the customers arriving to the restaurant and important updates on menu changes or operating hours. Ensuring these Marketing efforts have clear call to action message that encourages the stated desired action with an incentive that is easily understood. Either come and dine or make an order online. Conversion is the goal here.
Takeaways are Hot, make sure you have it
There is a common misconception that securing in-dining customers is far better in terms of increasing revenues and overall spending at restaurants than Takeaway. This is quickly becoming myth. Customers are growing in their numbers for ordering takeaway for a pick up and eating at home. In the short term, the takeaway revenue share will comprise of more significant share of a restaurants overall revenue without question. Creating a more tailored menu that is can be used for quick takeaway food (items and plates that can be prepared quickly).
In Part 2 of “4 tips for reopening your restaurant post-COVID” series, we will have more information on Menu design, application and share more on the operational efficiencies of using Foodetective’s centralized software.
