With cases surging again due to COVID-19, it is important for businesses to follow protocols and adapt to survive during the pandemic. With colder months soon coming, outdoor seating will be unreliable so businesses will need to change operations to accommodate. Indoor dining is still only able to operate at a certain capacity, but they are still other methods businesses could capitalize on to keep the business running.
Igloo bubbles should be a new priority
A bubble is something that should be heavily capitalized on within the coming months. They are able to be heated, disinfected, and isolated. These bubbles allow restaurants to operate at a higher capacity while maintaining proper protocols at the same time. This will be important during the winter months since outdoor seating will be hard to manage and heaters that are not contained will be costly for restaurants. With bubbles, you will be able to trap heat and conserve costs while allowing customers to have an enjoyable dining experience.
Takeout might need to be prioritized
If restaurants cannot afford bubbles or do not have space for them, they should start prioritizing takeout as much as possible. To do this, businesses should avoid just plaining serving takeout. Instead, they should start bundling menu items and offering specials to drive up demand for a purchase. Who doesn’t love a good bundle?
Bump up your social media presence
This applies directly to the two points above. For others to find out about your specials or accommodations, you will need to become more active on social media to let your customers know what you are offering. This will not only attract new customers, but it will remind previous customers that you are still engaged and offering specials. Having a social media presence for these restaurants is a great way to promote yourself without any costs.
Always have a host by the door
This one might be easier for restaurants who are in populated areas such as Center City or Fishtown. It’s important to have a host present at all times for anyone who is considering buying food. We want to make the experience as convenient as possible for people so they’re not waiting too long for food. It may not be as effective as the other options, but it gives you the opportunity to bring in customers who otherwise would have missed your restaurant on Google or any food delivery apps
Increase delivery potential
Since it is becoming increasingly harder to have a traditional dining experience, most people settle with bringing the experience into their own home. With the advancements of food delivery apps such as Uber eats and Doordash, businesses have been able to cut costs by eliminating the need for an internal delivery driver. With my point above, they will also need to specialize deliveries, so it is more appealing for someone looking for food. That would be either free delivery or a discount off your meal. That prioritizes your restaurant and allows a customer to perceive value when considering buying food.
Philly’s restaurant scene plays such a unique role in the culture of our city. Let us help them make it through these months and continue ordering out. You can never go wrong with that.
