Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic: How to Increase Revenue and Serve More Customers with Delivery and Takeout Options
The health and safety of everyone should be the top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's normal to be worried about how it will affect your restaurant. Many states have placed restrictions on eating and drinking in restaurants and that number may increase.
Restaurateurs may be worried about if their doors will be open after the pandemic subsides. Some restaurants have decided to temporarily close, but others are turning to delivery and takeout to keep staff working and delight guests. This article will explain how to safely and efficiently get food to customers during this time.
Explore the Benefits of Offering Delivery and Takeout Options for Your Restaurant
Offering takeout and delivery options can be a
great way to increase revenue and serve more customers. Here are some benefits
to consider when exploring these options.
Delivery Benefits:
- Food can be delivered to people
who can't leave their homes or offices.
- Using third-party delivery
services like Grubhub can reach a larger audience.
- Delivery can increase
restaurant sales by up to 20%.
- Kitchen efficiency can improve
as food is prepared for delivery without needing to seat additional
guests.
- Delivery options can increase
revenue even after the restaurant is back to full capacity.
- Some delivery services like
UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub have waived or reduced fees for
independent restaurants.
Takeout Benefits:
- Kitchen efficiency and output
can increase with takeout orders.
- Takeout appeals to customers
who want your food but don't have time for a dine-in meal.
- Takeout is a great option for
solo diners who may not want to eat alone in the restaurant.
- Takeout orders only involve cooks and counter workers, so servers, bussers, and bartenders can focus on other tasks, which can increase table turnover and keep workers productive.
Adapting to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strategies for Running a Successful Restaurant Business with Delivery and Takeout Options
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be difficult for restaurants to continue their usual business practices. Nevertheless, certain actions can be taken to adjust to the current circumstances and continue to receive orders from customers' restaurant delivery and takeout management.
- Order takeout supplies such as food containers, dressing containers, takeout bags, and plastic cutlery from vendors.
- Streamline the menu to focus on
best sellers and comfort foods, and consider offering meal kits or combo
and family-style platters for takeout and delivery.
- Alter staff and scheduling by
having servers work in different roles such as making deliveries or
working in the kitchen. Increase staffing in the kitchen to meet demand.
- Choose a delivery platform such
as third-party services or in-house delivery, and consider any fees and
charges associated with these options.
- One way to adapt is to offer
curb-side or contactless pickup options for your customers. This means
that customers can pre-pay for their orders, show up to a designated spot
within the restaurant, and pick up their food without interacting with
your employees. This can be done by setting up a shelf in your
front-of-house, or by setting up a designated space for contactless
pickup.
- Optimize your kitchen and order
firing. This means that when a customer places an order, the kitchen
should start preparing the food as soon as the driver is within a certain
distance of the restaurant. This ensures that the food is fresh when it
reaches the customer.
- Spread the word about your
restaurant's availability for delivery and takeout. This can be done by
utilizing your website and social media presence, and by promoting your
menu and images of your food on Instagram and Facebook.
- You can try implementing ideas such as sharing news on social media, adding a link to your online ordering site, putting a notice or pop-up on your website, and spending money on ads if possible. It is also a good idea to explore a daily, rotating, or limited-time menu and to offer discounts for first-time orders.
Running a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic can be difficult and stressful. However, there are still ways to make your business successful during this time. One solution is to focus on restaurant delivery and takeout management. This can help bring in customers and keep your doors open. To make this happen, it's important to update your website, reassess your staff, and make sure your kitchen is clean and safe. Remember, this crisis will eventually come to an end, and by being innovative and adaptable, you can ensure the longevity of your business.
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