How To Survive The Coronavirus: Guide for Restaurants
The average American family eats outside home four to five times a week so it’s no wonder that the food-service industry, a pillar in the nation’s economy, has been hit so hard with new restrictions for social distancing and limits for public gatherings.
Іn this article, we’ll explore some ways restaurateurs can adapt to the changing landscape of restaurants in this time of uncertainty.
Does the Coronavirus Survive on Food?
Currently, there is no exact data on how long the virus can live on food. Remember, this is a virus that’s transmitted by air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Coronavirus can last on some surfaces up to 24 hours on paper and up to 3 days on stainless steel or plastic.
Is Take-Away Safe to Eat?
Though the virus can last on some surfaces, it’s unlikely one could contract it from take-away or delivered food because restaurants stick to far more stringent health codes than the average home kitchen. Check the local health department online and locate a restaurant’s ‘food safety score’.
Restaurants Adaptation
We’ve explored some ideas about how to encourage owner-operators to think outside of the brick.
Train your staff something new
You should review personal hygiene rules and the importance of maintaining a sanitary workspace with each employee. Supply your restaurant with gloves, disinfectants, sanitizers, and paper products.
Remember that your kitchen and professional workspace should be deeply cleaned. Wipe down food prep surfaces and thoroughly mop the floors. Also, don’t forget to frequently spray down cash registers, telephones, computer screens and keyboards with sanitizer and wipe down pens and pencils that the staff shares.
Delivery’s New Era
Remember that nowadays it’s important to examine couriers’ appearance, especially if your restaurant is collaborating with some delivery apps like Uber Eats, Door Dash, Grub Hub, etc. You should also provide disinfecting wipes or a bottle of hand-sanitizer for drivers to squirt on their hands as they pick up. This is the time to have a friendly conversation with the driver about what is working and what can be improved upon.
Door to Doorstep Drop Off
This is a time when some customers may want their food passed through a door or window of their workplace or residence, while others prefer it to be dropped off on steps or a curb from a safer distance. So encourage your delivery drivers to remain in their vehicle and wait until the customer retrieves their food.
Food Pods and Mobile Food Carts
There are many food trucks that are located in ‘pods’ with several carts in one location. Such trucks run less of a risk trying to stay in business because customers just walk up, order, and take-away. The same strict sanitation rules should apply and customers should be encouraged to stand 6 feet or more from the next person in line.
Create or Improve Loyalty Programs
Now it’s time to reject punch-card or gift card program. Instead encourage customers to purchase a gift card for a friend or neighbor for the future when dine-in restrictions are lifted.
Think deeply about donating meals to the homeless or provide sack lunches to kids under ten or alternate specials on certain days. Record a tutorial for families who can assemble ingredients at home and make their own pizzas, burgers, or desserts. Remember that this is a great opportunity to help families make memories in this hard time and earn future business dollars by generating customer loyalty!
Read more about how can restaurant survive the coronavirus at https://mcdonaldpaper.com/blog/restaurants-and-coronavirus-how-to-survive
