The restaurant business is built on the idea of bringing people together over food but in this unprecedented time, we must all prioritize the safety of guests and staff. Life now is like nothing we’ve ever seen. It can be scary, even for the most resilient, optimistic business owner. In order to weather this storm, restaurant owners need to stay connected with each other, with community health resources and with staff and guests.
As a business owner, you don’t want to be careless about the threat posed by COVID-19, but you also want to avoid being overwhelmed with panic. Each of us has a responsibility to take precautionary measures to help break the chain of transmission of the virus.
The restaurant business has been particularly hit hard with the general public going into “hibernation” mode and we can expect additional prevention measures being implemented as the situation evolves. A number of jurisdictions have already mandated the closure of restaurant dining rooms, and it is likely that other areas will follow suit.
As a business owner, every action you take needs to help instil confidence in your guests and staff that you are on top of the situation and not in panic mode. Here are some areas you should focus on:
Customer Communication
- Use social media and other means of contact to let your customers know that their experience during this time will be different than what they’ve come to expect but that you are operating with their best interests in mind.
- Practice effective social distancing for yourself, your staff (positioning) and how you seat guests, even if it means reducing the capacity of your seating area.
- Demonstrate your commitment to good sanitation by having staff visibly cleaning and sanitizing common surfaces.
- Consider restricting or eliminating cash payments as a way to protect your staff and the public from virus transmission.
- If you do post signage, make sure it is professional looking and properly mounted (not handwritten or sloppily taped up).
Facilities
- Step up your operation’s hygiene practices to ensure that you, your employees and customers are protected from the risk of infection.
- Disinfect high traffic areas frequently and maintain focus on your cleaning regimens and timetables. Now is not the time for complacency.
- Ensure that delivery drivers are washing their hands frequently and disinfecting food delivery warming bags as well as car door handles, steering wheels, keys and other high-touch areas in their vehicles.
Employees
- Remember to take care of your employees as they are going to remember how they are treated in this challenging time for both business owners and employees. Over-communicate with your staff to ensure they understand what is happening.
- Review your sick day policies and try to be compassionate in dealing with your staff and encourage anyone who feels sick or has been potentially exposed to COVID-19 infected individuals to stay home.
- If you have to reduce shifts do so thoughtfully and taking into consideration your staff’s need to maintain income.
- Ensure staff are wearing gloves when handling money, cleaning tables and chairs, emptying garbage receptacles and handling bus pans or dirty dishes. Disinfect your payment terminals frequently.
Operations
- If you have a significant take out/delivery business, be sure to focus resources to maximize the efficiency of this area which may be able to at least offset part of your dining room traffic decline.
- See what your food delivery providers are offering as some are reducing or waiving fees for independent restaurant deliveries during this crisis period.
- Monitor your sales mix trends carefully as you may need to change your product replenishment orders with your distributor to meet customer demand for certain products.
- Some restaurants are choosing to operate as “community kitchens” and offer low cost take away meals to those in need which can help provide some throughput for your kitchen.
By focusing on these key areas you will be able to ensure the safety of your staff and guests and ultimately protect your business. Be well, keep yourself, your staff and guests healthy and we’ll beat this together!
