Have you recently hired a new waiter? Not to worry. Read all about how to train new employees to ensure they have a successful first day and deliver optimal service to customers.

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In times of need, the restaurant industry comes together to provide meals for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive toll on the country, and restaurants have been helping community kitchens as a way to give back.

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To tip or not to tip? Customers aren't the only ones asking this question. Many operators are now considering eliminating tipping from their establishments. Learn about the pros and cons of a no-tipping policy.

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With many restaurants across the country forced to shut down their dine-in services due to COVID-19, business owners are looking for ways to stay afloat. While the majority of establishments are offering customers prepared meals for curbside pickup and delivery, restaurant owners are learning that this business model isn’t sustainable. To generate additional revenue during the pandemic, establishments nationwide are also transforming their businesses into independent grocery stores. Business owners have realized that grocery stores cannot keep up with the high demand for grocery items or food shortages which is why many independent restaurants and franchises have begun offering customers grocery products. With many foodservice establishments having early success offering grocery staples, it's an excellent idea for your business to take the initiative and do the same. If you're not sure where your restaurant should begin, here's a breakdown of how you can successfully sell groceries in your establishment today! How Can Establishments Purchase Groceries? There has been a surge in demand for basic essentials due to the virus which has led to perpetually empty shelves in many grocery stores. While grocery markets are having difficulties restocking shelves, many restaurants have easy access to a lot of the grocery items shoppers need. That is because the majority of establishments have different food suppliers than grocery stores. To purchase grocery items, simply talk to your food vendors. Create a list of grocery items you’d like to offer customers and ask your suppliers if they have them in stock. Your vendors will likely have the majority of products you need because restaurants have been ordering fewer ingredients and produce. Which Grocery Items Should Restaurants Offer Customers? When deciding which supplies to purchase from vendors, it’s important to put yourself in the customers’ shoes. Think about the supplies they need to prepare meals and live comfortably on a daily basis. You should also find out which products are difficult to purchase at grocery markets because the demand is extremely high for them. Once you’ve done your research, stock up on those products. Those supplies will likely sell quickly because your business will be one of the few locations with those items. The following list includes a number of grocery products that foodservice establishments nationwide are offering: Produce Eggs Cheese Milk Juice Meat Chicken Seafood Bread Flour Spices Butter Rice Dry pasta Toilet paper Paper towels How Should Establishments Package Groceries? When restaurants order products from food vendors, they typically arrive in massive quantities because restaurants are constantly prepping food for customers. However, a family of 4 will likely not purchase a 50-pound bag of flour or a 20-pound bag of dry pasta because they don’t cook as often. This means your restaurant needs to find a way to package bulk supplies into smaller, individual bundles for your customers. To package products for customers, you can use disposable take out containers, zip bags, and other supplies that you regularly receive from vendors. It allows you to utilize the supplies you have in your establishment without making additional purchases. How Should Restaurants Give Customers Their Grocery Orders? To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s crucial for your employees to give customers their orders with minimal contact. While it may be challenging because you’re accustomed to patrons coming inside your business to pick up their meals, there are a couple of ways to minimize face-to-face interactions with customers. Contactless Delivery Many restaurants are relying less on third-party services to save on costs and delivering food themselves. In order to reduce the risk of their employees becoming infected with the virus, establishments are implementing contactless delivery. This delivery method eliminates contact between delivery drivers and customers to keep everyone safe. When customers place an order online or over the phone, ask them where they’d like their food to be dropped off. Many times, customers will request orders to be dropped off at their front door. Once you’ve delivered an order, it’s important to notify the customer so their food doesn’t spoil. You can simply call or text the client to let them know that their order has been delivered. Curbside Pickup There are many patrons that prefer to pick up their orders themselves at your establishment. However, instead of having customers walk inside your restaurant to pick up their orders, offer curbside pickup. This pickup method requires customers to park at one of the restaurant’s designated curbside pickup parking spots to safely receive their orders. When patrons place an order for curbside pickup, inform them where you’d like them to park and the best way to notify you when they’ve arrived. This will prevent any confusion to streamline the curbside pickup process. Once patrons inform you that they’ve arrived, take their orders to them. They will either request for you to place it in their trunk or to hand it to them. When handing out orders, it’s important to wear face masks and gloves to keep your employees and customers safe. How Can Establishments Promote Their New Business Model? Once everything is set, it’s time to let locals know about your new grocery delivery service. Create social media posts informing customers of your new business model. You can do this by uploading your grocery item menu, photos showcasing products that are for sale, and explaining how your business is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s also essential to advertise the new online grocery store on your establishment’s website. Your website should answer all the questions customers may have about your new business model to make it easy for patrons to order groceries online. Include information about the menu, prices, specials, hours of operation, and how customers can receive their orders. Time To Get Started! As restaurants continue to lose dine-in business due to COVID-19, it's essential your establishment finds innovative solutions to stay afloat. With the demand for groceries constantly increasing, turning your restaurant into an independent grocery service is an excellent way to make a profit and provide work for your employees. By following this guide, you’ll be able to successfully sell groceries while keeping your customers and staff members safe.

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Virtual cook-alongs allow corporations and families to get together and cook while being apart. Learn how your business can start offering online cooking classes to expand your customer reach and generate more revenue.

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Creating a kid-friendly atmosphere at your restaurant encourages families to frequently visit which allows you to build a loyal customer base and boost sales. Find out about the 7 ways you can make your operation kid-friendly.

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No face mask? No problem! Don’t be unprepared and learn all the steps you need to take when handling a customer without a face mask. You’ll be able to find a solution you and your maskless customer can agree on.

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You’ve heard of restaurant loyalty programs, maybe you’re even part of one, but can your business benefit from one? Many operators find themselves asking this question, especially when looking to give their business a boost. The truth of the matter is, a loyalty program can offer many benefits to your business if executed well. By adding a customer loyalty program to your services, you’ll be expanding your customer base, increasing brand awareness, and keeping your loyal customers longer, as well as attracting new ones. Restaurant Loyalty Program Benefits You’ll Have More Regular Guests With a loyalty program, you’ll be able to turn casual patrons into loyal customers. About 52% of loyal patrons will recommend their favorite restaurant to their family and friends, according to Oracle Hospitality. This means that the more loyal customers you have, the more new customers will be walking through your door. A larger amount of regular customers will give you a larger amount of revenue due to having a steady and continued business. Not to mention, regular customers are more likely to spend more if they are driven by rewards. Acquire Customer Data A loyalty program does more than bring in regular customers, it is also a great way to get to know your customers. For instance, a digital loyalty program, such as a restaurant loyalty app, will make it easy to collect information such as your customer’s: Age Gender Favorite foods Spending habits Frequency of their visits Which days they visit With this information, you’ll be able to give your customers personalized offerings, promotions, and exclusive offers. A tailored rewards program featuring their favorite dishes will make it hard for them to resist revisiting your establishment. Spread Brand Awareness If you choose to use restaurant loyalty cards, you have a chance of increasing brand awareness to potential customers. A loyalty card requires your brand’s logo and colors to be featured on the card. As your brand becomes more popular, a loyalty card with a prominent logo will make your business instantly recognizable. You can also promote your brand through other means of advertising such as emails and social media posts. Every time you are featuring a special offer, you can send customers a notification which makes it easier for them to send these offers to others. Keep Your Customers Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants have lost a big chunk of their customers. However, by implementing a loyalty program, you’re more likely to retain your customer base. The secret to keeping your customers is to always offer them good deals with their purchases. Many restaurants offer: Loyalty Points - Customers acquire a certain amount of points in order to get a reward such as a free drink or a free menu item Referral Rewards - Customers are rewarded when they refer new customers to your establishment Discounts - Reduced prices on special items or on special days such as birthdays or holidays Free Delivery - Customers earn a free delivery after a certain amount of orders from your restaurant Secret Menu - Loyal customers get exclusive access to a secret menu that offers new and exciting dishes Monitor Your Loyalty Program Having a loyalty program doesn’t guarantee it will be a successful loyalty program. In order to incentivize customers to sign up and stay on the program, you will have to strictly administer it to make sure it stays up to date. Here are some tips to help you ensure its success. Make Loyalty Customers Feel Special You don’t want to overdo things by handing out special offers to every customer. Loyal customers want to feel special and want access to rewards that a first-time customer can’t have. You’ll also want to limit your exclusive offers because it can end up hurting your business rather than helping it. For example, if you give away too many discounts, your restaurant will be impacted financially and in a negative way. Implement A User-Friendly Enrollment Process Another issue you’ll want to keep track of is the enrollment process. Make sure that signing up for your loyalty program is quick and easy. Many customers turn away from loyalty programs simply because enrollment is too difficult or too long of a process. Even millennials will turn away from their screens if the enrollment process takes up too much of their time. Create A One-Of-A-Kind Loyalty Program Finally, ensure that your loyalty program stands out from the rest. You won’t be the only restaurateur offering customers special deals, so you’ll want to make sure you encourage customers to stick to your program with irresistible rewards such as gift cards, student discounts, free desserts, and anything else you think your loyal customers will love.

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Restaurants are looking for ways to keep their employees protected from COVID-19. Many believe that staff members receiving the vaccine in the answer. Discover 5 ways you can motivate employees to get vaccinated.

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Is COVID-19 the final nail in the coffin for buffets? Many thought so, but by turning into cafeteria-style restaurants, buffets have been able to endure despite hardships. Read up on how buffets have survived the pandemic.

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Chefs play a vital part in an establishment’s success which can make hiring a new chef for your business stressful. Learn about the qualities to look for in a chef to ensure you hire the right person for the position.

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So, you’ve kept your establishment safe from COVID-19, but have you kept it safe from lawsuits? With our essential tips, you’ll be able to prevent getting sued by coronavirus-related incidents. 

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