As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect nations worldwide, businesses across industries are forced to either close temporarily or limit operations. With strict social distancing and quarantine measures in place, food industry sales suffer a significant slump at around 80%.
While some restaurants get through by offering delivery and takeout options, many food businesses are still clueless about their future. So, how can food businesses and restaurants survive the COVID-19 crisis?
If you are a food business owner or a restaurant manager, this article is for you. Find out how you can navigate through this situation and keep your business afloat during and even after the crisis.
How Your Food Business Can Survive the COVID-19 Crisis
1. Prioritize the safety and wellness of your staff.
Keep in mind that your staff is the backbone of your business. In the middle of a health crisis, keeping them safe and able-bodied should be your top priority.
If you are still operating under limited capacity, boost your store’s sanitation measures to ensure not just the safety of your customers but your staff as well. You can do this by having adequate sanitation stations in your store and heightened sanitation measures.
While most businesses are compelled to stop operations temporarily, you should also try to find ways to help them sustain their families. Giving your employees a special assistance package or paid sick leaves can help them and their families survive these trying times.
2. Leverage technology.
Having a reliable platform that will allow you to communicate with your valued customers is pivotal for your business’ survival. You need to effectively communicate the changes you’ll be making and other essential updates regarding your operations.
For example, you can constantly update and engage with your customers and continue to do business through a website. Third-party service providers like Yondu can help you set up a custom website to ensure business continuity.
Also, consider what your customer base is looking for and find ways to cater to them. Nowadays, people are seeking budget-friendly meals and delivery options, as most are working from home.
3. Use your resources wisely.
Just about everyone in the food sector is affected by the on-going coronavirus crisis — farmers, suppliers, operators, owners, and staff. So, it’s essential to manage your resources to avoid wasting more.
As businesses are compelled to close temporarily, you need to think of ways to utilize your resources wisely. The trick is to make the most of your inventory and lessen the wastage of ingredients.
Some businesses are selling their inventory to continue earning despite their stores’ temporary closure. You can do this, too, and optimize your processes for the monitoring and of your inventory and the efficient delivery of your products.
4. Consider premium deliveries.
Since the outbreak began, many businesses were put at a standstill for weeks. Some food businesses, however, still manage to thrive by providing home delivery services.
People’s preference for budget-friendly products and delivered goods increased as stringent quarantine measures were put in place. And this trend is expected to rise in the coming weeks.
For this reason, it’s wise to consider offering premium delivery services to your customers. This is one of the best ways to stay in business while people are observing self-isolation.
5. Maximize available assistance.
Apart from the labor shortage, food businesses are also faced with financial challenges during this critical period. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte assured that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) would receive aid amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Grace periods are also enforced for rent and other utilities. You can maximize these kinds of support while finding ways to earn amid the “new normal.”
Both public and private institutions are implementing strict quarantine procedures and social distancing measures to achieve the same goal: flatten the curve. While the war against COVID-19 is not yet over, all affected sectors, including the foodservice industry, are encouraged to take part.
For restaurants and other food businesses, this means following government policies and devising innovative solutions to survive the crisis. By adopting these tips, your business may get through this tough time.
Are you looking for innovative solutions to keep your business afloat during this pandemic and help it survive in case a similar crisis strikes? Talk to our team today to know which technology solution is best for your business.
