2020 has been one for the books. If it could go wrong, chances are it did. With partial shut-downs, political tensions, economic disaster, and a slew of social issues, there is no doubt that 2020 has shaken many of us to our core.
While we know that things may never be the same, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. People are ready to get back to normal, even if it doesn’t look like the normal we once new. 2020 may have been a disaster, but it also provides a unique opportunity to pivot and revitalize our businesses with new strategies.
The untold weight on restaurants in the US
Restaurants have been some of the hardest hit. New data shows that web traffic for restaurants and caterers are way up from the beginning of the year. There is something socially comfortable about sitting at your favorite restaurant. But with reduced capacity, new sanitary standards, and increased restriction, the reopening of restaurants has not been an easy venture. Here are a few tips to help you serve your customers.
Build an online ordering system
Take your customers orders online with a digital ordering system. By adding this service, customers are more likely to place their order online than they are by phone. As an added benefit the insight you get from digital ordering systems is worth it’s weight in gold. You’ll begin to learn which products are popular, what your peak times are, better plan supply lists, and encourage future orders with gentle marketing nudges. If Sam orders a pepperoni once a week, you can send an email to him encourage him to order bread sticks and a large drink with your monthly promotional deal.
Consider Mobile Service
If your restaurant is devastated by low in-house seating, consider shifting your strategy to a mobile food service. Many restaurants have converted their strip-mall eateries into mobile food trucks to save costs, and control quality. With lower operating costs, your business may be able to weather the economic storm 2020 has brought.
Add Contact-less Pickup/Delivery
Another popular way to curb customer apprehension when shopping with your business is to develop a contact-less experience. For customers who are high-risk, having a curbside pickup or even delivery option may give you edge over the competition. Take some time to survey your customers and the overall habits of your customers to determine this strategy would help you better serve your community.
Another great option is to revamp your in-store fixtures to include display cases and cabinets that prevent customers from serving themselves. Clerk serve cases help keep disinfecting efforts down and build customer trust. We found some great cases here that may be what you are looking for.
Outdoor Seating and Event Hosting
Take it outdoors. If you have space, add additional seating on your patio or outdoor space to allow for greater social distancing opportunities. Attendance for outdoor events is higher than normal, based on businesses we’ve spoken to, which indicates that people are anxious to regain normalcy. Talk to your local health department about measure that can be taken to ensure customer safety.