Planning for the Reopening of Your Restaurant During COVID-19

After weeks or months of relying solely on takeout and delivery, many restaurants are experiencing some relief as regulations ease and business reopening plans roll out across the country. This presents both challenges and opportunities. As an SEO specialist, it’s important to ensure your restaurant’s website is optimized for search engines while providing valuable information for your visitors. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help your restaurant reopen safely and profitably.

Planning Your Reopening Timeline

The first step in reopening is to create a clear timeline for every phase of the process. This involves a thorough assessment of the tasks you need to accomplish to ensure a safe and successful reopening.

Ordering new inventory Restaffing and hiring if needed Planning your reopen menu Restarting your utility services and distributor connections Marketing and promoting your reopen

Considerations such as new employee health and safety training, inventory delivery, PPE equipment orders, menu planning, and goal reopen dates will all need to be taken into account. If you have a target reopen date, work back from that date to determine when each task needs to be completed. This will help you stay on track and ensure a smooth transition.

Updating Your Restaurant Policies and Operating Procedures

Reopening your restaurant safely and successfully requires updating your policies and operating procedures. These should comply with the latest safety guidance provided by the FDA, CDC, and local government. Here are some key steps:

1. Social Distancing and Protective Equipment

Ensure your staff and guests are at least 6 feet apart at all times. This may mean limiting seating per table or reorganizing your dining area to ensure tables are over 6 feet apart.

Implement a health assessment process for employees, including taking their temperature and assessing them for symptoms before they start their shift. Prepare and use only EPA-registered disinfectants according to their instructions. Wash, rinse, and sanitize surfaces and equipment after every use, including coffee machines, doors, and tables. Frequently disinfect surfaces that guests and staff come in contact with, such as every 15-20 minutes. Train staff on appropriate internal temperatures for cooked foods and how to track them. Ensure staff wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after handling food, coughing, sneezing, visiting the restroom, and touching high-traffic surfaces. Regularly clean and sanitize any coolers or insulated bags used for delivery.

2. Protective Equipment for Your Restaurant and Employees

Ensure your team has the right equipment to keep everyone safe. This includes:

Dishwashing, cut-resistant, and freezer gloves Masks for staff and guests Hand sanitizer at different stations, or even at every table Sneeze guards for areas such as the salad bar or cashier area

Communicating with Suppliers and Providers

In order to reopen, you’ll need to coordinate with distributors, suppliers, and providers of services to make sure your business can become operational. With many restaurants opening at the same time, there may be delays in the delivery of supplies and inventory. Get ahead of this by ordering the necessary supplies early.

Planning Your Staffing and Labor Needs

The reopening of your restaurant will likely happen in stages, and your staffing needs will also change. Determine how many and what kind of staff you need to keep your restaurant profitable and efficient during each stage:

More BOH staff to handle the increased order demand if your takeout and delivery channels stay strong. Additional FOH staff to serve as delivery drivers if you offer direct delivery.

Building Your Reopening Menu

As your restaurant will likely be opening up in phases, match the size of your menu to each stage to keep it manageable for your staff. A smaller menu means less prep time and hands needed, and you can focus on your most-profitable dishes.

Marketing Your Grand Reopening

Your restaurant reopening will only be as successful as your marketing efforts. Use social media, your website, and online listings to promote your grand reopening. Show pictures of your staff and your restaurant’s new hygiene and protective equipment to reassure your diners.

Note: This guide is part of a full blog. For more tips on reopening your restaurant, visit the full blog post.