Restaurants and COVID-19: What Can We Do to Survive?

In the last few weeks, our world has changed dramatically. The impact of the coronavirus does not discriminate. All restaurants and bars are impacted, big and small. For restaurant owners and operators, the Covid-19 pandemic can be deadly in multiple ways. Of course, there is the very real threat from the illness itself – especially to those with compromised immune systems. But the only slightly more veiled threat is to the very existence of restaurant owners’ and employees’ livelihood.

Americans are concerned about their own and their family’s safety. Concerns about social distancing, along with a general sense of fear and anxiety have lowered restaurant traffic into our businesses. How we address these concerns will impact the future of our businesses.

For many restaurant and bar operators, there is a sense of helplessness – that feeling that we are on a runaway train with no means to stop it or to get off. We face unprecedented times and have little past experience to draw from when it comes to how we respond. There is great uncertainty as to how long the current situation will last. While we may not be able to change the current situation, there are things we can do to mitigate the damage.

It is critical for restaurants and bars to have a thoughtful, planned response and to assess what needs to be done to minimize risk. While this must start with a response to our guests about what we are doing to ensure their safety, this preparedness plan must go further and include our businesses as well. Each operator will need to customize this plan to meet his or her own situation while stringently following the CDC and local health department guidelines. While some cities and states have already mandated restaurants and bars close, others limit sales to the takeout, drive-thru, and delivery only and still, others have not mandated any changes – yet.

As you put together your response plan, make certain to include each of the topics below. And keep in mind that the Covid-19 situation is changing daily so your plan needs to be fluid and dynamic. Communication is key. Adjust your plan as often as needed in order to respond to the changing situation.

Start by updating your email and contact lists of your guests, staff, suppliers and outside resources including your accountants, human resource and insurance representatives.

This is paramount and must be the central starting point for your plan – and this part of your plan must be communicated to both your staff and your guests. Not only do you need to communicate this, but you also need to make certain that what you are promising that your bar or restaurant is doing is actually being done.

Many of you, I am sure, have used your social media presence and hopefully guest email to communicate what you are doing to ensure that your environment is as safe as possible for your staff and guests. This is a great start. But it does not end with a single post. Changing situations demand to change responses – so communicate as frequently as necessary to make certain that both your staff and your customer base stay informed about what you are doing, your serving hours, etc.

Foremost in terms of what keeps restaurant and bar owners up at night is the worry about how they will stay afloat during this crisis. Here are a few things that you can do:

Restaurants and bars are an integral part of the fabric of our communities and our culture. Your reputation will be impacted by how your company acts during these types of crises. You have an opportunity to prove to your community your value and that you deserve their trust.