Well, sometimes you have to look hard for it but there is always a silver lining. At first glance it may only seem like bad news. Per the Governor’s orders, restaurant dining rooms and patios are closed. Where is the silver lining?
Like I said, sometimes it is difficult to find. Sometimes you have to put on your rose-colored glasses and think optimistically. In times like these, those of us that can figure out how to use this time to strengthen our businesses will exit the lockdown in better shape than ever! Keep reading and you may find a hair-brained idea that just may work.
- Partner with one of or all of the food delivery companies and offer delivery. Extend your customer base by extending your geography. Do those companies charge too much? Partner with other restaurants in the area and start your own delivery service.
- Have you ever thought of opening up a second location in another city? As crazy as it sounds, maybe now is the time. Start by contacting a cloud kitchen in your expansion city. Next partner with those same food delivery companies mentioned above and offer your amazing food for delivery only. With minimal overhead you will start developing that market for your second location!
- When was the last time you worked on and updated your website? Does it tell all your customers about the great to-go options available to them?
- Your customers want to help. Let them. Market to them so they know you need their business and you are open for delivery and to-go.
- Speaking of to-go food, give your customers a reason to order food to-go. We all like something for free. Offer them something like: $5 gift card or certificate for dine in use (when you open back up) with every $50 spent, free appetizer, free drink with each meal ordered.
- Start a “beer club” (or something similar). Incentivize customers to order to-go meals when they come in to pick up their “hand picked” beer selection
- Is there an outdoor public seating area near you? Can you utilize that area for anything?
- Lastly, there WILL be a pent-up demand for getting out and eating at restaurants when we open up. Get maintenance done now and be ready for the surge of people when they come…and they will!
This shutdown sucks! As the military says, “embrace the suck.” Figure out a way to strengthen your foundation to come out stronger because of the lockdown!
At Reliable Gaskets we want to help our customers succeed. Check out our website for more information and let us know how we can help