COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the restaurant and foodservice industry. With a loss of more than$25 billion in sales and 3 million jobs in the first month of the coronavirus shutdown, businesses must find the proper roadmap to re-open their restaurants in a way that makes customers and employees feel safe.
While takeout and delivery are still popular options, restrictions are starting to lift on dining, and many people are ready to revisit restaurants in person. This is a pivotal moment for every restaurant because they must have a plan for how they are going to keep their restaurant safe and clean while staying true to their brand values.
Customers want to see cleanliness and sanitation procedures implemented so they can feel safe at their favorite restaurants. Plus, when restaurants show that they care about their customers through policies and safety measures, they can build brand trust and loyalty with customers. Here are some of the new expectations that customers will have moving forward.
Have a Cleaning Schedule
Part of the trust-building process includes following proper sanitation processes and keeping everything visibly clean. By creating a cleaning schedule, restaurants can ensure that they’re maintaining the standards they set for their brand.
While it should be common to clean a table after every customer, these schedules can also include hourly wipe-downs of shared areas. In the kitchen, it’s essential to ensure every food surface is cleaned after four hours or every time it’s used and before moving on to a new food product. Keeping a cleaning schedule helps everyone stay sanitary and safe in a restaurant environment.
Keep Cleaning Supplies in Sight
Besides cleaning each table and labeling them as clean, providing guests with various sanitary supplies is a great way to show that a restaurant cares. This could include anything from hand sanitizer and masks to gloves and disposable napkins. By providing this to each guest, it’s allowing customers to choose their level of comfort and sanitize to meet their needs.
Keep Dinnerware Sparkling Clean
One tremendous concern that frequently stops customers from eating out is considering how clean the cutlery, plates, and cups are in the restaurant they choose. While you can choose to invest in single-use silverware and dishes, it can have some significant downsides. It might not fit your brand if you’re a higher-end restaurant, it’s expensive to have to order supplies consistently, and it’s not very eco-friendly.
Instead, you need to invest in a way to keep your dishes sparkling clean and free of any type of bacteria by using the Tiger Carbon Remover Powder. The FOG tank will altogether remove any carbon, grease, oils, or fats from the kitchenware, delivering a clean shine every time.
Create Clear Signs
People want visible proof that cleanliness is enforced in your establishment. This could include adding a “masks required” sign to the front of your door, COVID safety guidelines on the tables, Floor markings for social distancing, or any other procedures you have in place to keep your business clean.
For example, suppose you’re using the FOG Tank. In that case, you can print out an information sheet to post on your business’s window that includes the logo, temperature information that states 185 degrees is used to disinfect and make each dish bacteria-free, and how there is 100% sanitation after taking items out of the tank. Plus, its constructed from 304-grade stainless steel and is fully insulated.
Additionally, the FOG Tank is UL Listed can improve food safety by ensuring that all wares are sanitized. There is no reliance on the operator, and it is in compliance with NSF and FDA Food Code Standards. Customers want to know what you’re doing to protect yourself and your community before choosing to spend money at your business, and posting signage is the perfect way to do it.
Provide Open Spaces
The new trend in dining is to space it out and keep it clean. Instead of focusing solely on indoor dining, there is a rise in the popularity of outdoor dining. This is especially helpful for restaurants that do not have much indoor room to begin with, especially when local restrictions have put capacities in place for indoor spaces.
It’s essential to create a comfortable environment where customers feel safe enough to take off their masks, and by providing outdoor space, you’re doing just that. Make sure to keep your outdoor space clean, especially in environments that are make-shift outdoor dining, like parking lots or sidewalks.
Technology Increase
The increased use of technology can be a crucial component of visible evidence of your cleanliness procedures. For example, instead of printing out disposable menus, or handing over re-usable menus to your customers, offer a QR code so everyone can view the menu without having to touch something shared with others.
You can go a step further by allowing payment across various applications like Cashapp or Venmo. You can offer to send digital receipts versus physical receipts or clean credit cards between use. However you decide to use technology, it’s important to use systems that help your customers stay safe by limiting touch in your business.
Use Cleaning Supplies Properly
Just because you have the cleaning supplies doesn’t mean that you’re using them correctly. It’s essential to create the right concentration of sanitizer and water to keep your space clean. Use a test kit to ensure the concentration is correct and a thermometer to ensure the solution is warm enough to kill germs. Ensure that any object you choose to sanitize sits between 5-30 seconds, depending on the sanitizer and the object’s size. Change the solution as you notice it becomes dirty and ensure as a restaurant that you commit to staying clean instead of letting it fall to the wayside when you’re busy.
As the restaurant industry works to bounce back and people start to show up to your business, it’s essential to already have a plan formulated to keep your business, employees, and customers safe. Deliver confidence through your service, cleanliness, and signage. It’s your duty to protect those who work for or choose to support your business. Addressing these needs and adapting will help your business thrive as the economy continues to re-open.