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COVID Restaurant Marketing Communications

Four Restaurants Trends Here to Stay

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been a full year since the beginning of the pandemic. Restaurants, of course, were one of the industries that had to make major adjustments to survive this uncertain time. While COVID-19 was the catalyst for those changes, many new behaviors or customer expectations appear here to stay. We’ll take a closer look at four of those trends here.

Mobile is a Must

A strong mobile presence was a priority long before last year, but the pandemic only magnified how important it is and accelerated the platform’s growth. More customers are ordering online than ever, so making sure they can do so easily and quickly on their phones is essential. Mobile usage, in general, is also up, from 3.5 hours/day on average to 4 hours. So as your customers are spending more time on their phones, you want to make sure interacting with your brand there is enjoyable and engaging. 

Drive-Thru Demand Continues 

Not only are more customers visiting drive-thrus, but they are also doing so more than ever. In a recent survey by Bluedot, 91% of survey respondents visited a drive-thru in the past month and reported a 26% increase in drive-thru visits over the past 10 months. As we noted back in October, drive-thrus proved to be a big advantage as many customers were looking to limit their time inside restaurants. That behavior is likely still at play, along with customers getting used to the convenience and speed drive-thrus provide as well as the integration of apps or digital transactions into the experience. 

The Need for Speed 

Speaking of speed, the same survey found that speed of service is becoming more important than ever. With personal safety still a big priority for customers, they reported nearly 80% of respondents would leave or consider leaving a restaurant with a long line. Even more striking, they found that 51% of respondents want their wait-time for in-store pick-up to be under six minutes, up from just 36% in August. 

Curbside Continues to Grow

Curbside pickup boomed during the pandemic, popping up at many restaurants that never considered it before. And based on customer behavior, it appears this trend isn’t going anywhere. Nearly 80% of respondents to the Bluedot survey utilized curbside pickup in the past month, and the percentage of people reporting using curbside more often than before continues to rise. Now that it’s more widespread, it’s important to make the experience as smooth as possible to stay competitive. 

While COVID-19 didn’t invent these trends or behaviors, it certainly pushed them forward faster. And now that customers have become accustomed to a new level of convenience that COVID-era changes ushered in, it makes sense they will stick around in some form or another. Of course, what’s right for one restaurant may not be right for the other, but investing in the trends that make sense for your customers now should set you up for more success as we move closer to the “new” new normal.

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COVID Restaurant Marketing Communications Advice

A Winning Super Bowl Strategy

The Super Bowl is here again, and even in a year quite different than others, it’s still sure to be a major event, with fans at home looking forward to an exciting game, memorable ads and, of course, delicious food. Restaurants are no strangers to getting in on the fun of game day, from offering special menu items to promotional discounts. And while we can assume Super Bowl parties won’t be in full swing this year, people still want to enjoy a great game with great food. So let’s take look at why your restaurant should invest in Super Bowl promotions and consider some tips for scoring big the day of the Big Game. 

Big Game = Big Money

Everything related to the Super Bowl is big. Nearly 100 millions viewers usually tune in to the game, and the National Retail Federation reported in 2020 that Americans were willing to spend an average of $88.65 to celebrate as they watch. That adds up to $17.2 billion! The survey also determined 80% of them were planning to buy food and drinks for the game. All this to say, the Super Bowl is a massive spending occasion and local restaurants can and should reap the benefits of this. 

Stand Out With Offers & Discounts 

With so many options available to consumers, it’s important to show customers they can find affordable prices at your restaurant, whether they’re dining in or picking up food to take home. If your restaurant offers discounts, consider two for one promotions or a deal that incentives guests to order more. If discounts aren’t your deal, then think of how you can offer special combos or even limited-time menu items for the occasion. 

Score Big with Delivery 

As even more people will likely be watching from home this year, it’s important to make sure your delivery and pick up operations are running smoothly. Ensure your ordering systems, via phone, your website and any third-parties, are working seamlessly, and that your team is ready to handle a higher than usual volume of orders. Promote your delivery services leading up the game, especially if they’re free to guests. Catering services could also be a way to maximize your earnings that weekend, so be sure to advertise those as well. 

Even with Super Bowl festivities looking different this year, there are still lots of opportunities to be harnessed, especially at a time when enjoying food from your favorite places at home is more common than ever, giving restaurants an opportunity to turn an atypical year into a big win. 

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COVID Restaurant Marketing Communications Advice

Restaurant Trends to Watch for in The New Year.

If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that it’s impossible to predict what the future holds. Even so, we’re all still trying to plan for the year ahead, and restaurants are no exception. While no one knows exactly how soon things will get back to “normal,” or what that “normal” will look like, you may be able to prepare even better by keeping in mind the following trends that emerged this year that are likely to continue into 2021. 

Curbside Is Here to Stay 

Curbside pickup took hold this year, and appears to be something that is here to stay. It fills a need for customers outside of pandemic times— convenience when there’s no time or desire to go into a restaurant—so customers will most likely continue to expect it as an option now that they’ve come to depend on it. But just become customers have become used to the idea of curbside pickup, that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. We know for some restaurants establishing a permanent curbside solution is easier said than done, but it may be worth looking into for the new year. 

Growth in Delivery & Online Ordering 

We also expect to see continued growth in delivery and online ordering. Similar to curbside pickup, customers have become used to ordering this way and are more comfortable with it than in the past, so it’s likely a service they’ll continue to rely on. On top of that, the impacts of COVID-19 will continue to be present into 2021, and the need for contactless service and customers’ wariness to dine out will continue until the pandemic is well under control. You may want to consider looking at ways to expand to-go menus or improve your online ordering process. 

Safety First 

As the pandemic continues into 2021, safety will remain an issue to plan around for the new year. Your restaurant likely developed and refined safety measures for servers and guests throughout this year, so be sure you’re prepared to continue these practices from an operations, training and financial perspective. If you’re still looking for ideas, we’ve covered safety signage tips and more ways to get customers to dine in your restaurant with confidence.

Comfort Food is King

According to chefs surveyed by Food & Wine, they see culinary trends shifting towards comfort foods. And we agree. With so much uncertainty this year, comfort foods are familiar, uncomplicated and offer a sense of normalcy. This may be beneficial to restaurants too, as resources may be limited. Plan for your tried and true favorites to continue to be what your guests turn to in the new year. 

It’s been a trying year for restaurants, to say the least. But as 2020 winds down, there’s hope in what the future will bring. Because there is a fact we know in all of the confusion of this past year—people love restaurants. They love being treated to their favorite foods and sharing a table with others, whether that’s in a restaurant or in their own home. And with the hopeful news about vaccines to help put an end to the pandemic, we’re one step closer each day to getting back to the bustling kitchens and buzzing atmospheres that are the mark of an industry that’s not just surviving but thriving. 

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Restaurant Marketing Communications Advice

Why Investing in Loyalty is Worth the Rewards

With COVID-19 throwing the restaurant industry into disarray this year, a reliable customer base is paramount to success. Enter loyalty programs. They’ve become more important than ever to help stabilize business and encourage guests to keep coming back. Let’s take a look at why loyalty programs have become a focus at this time, how restaurants have had success with their programs and what you can do to help make loyalty work for you. 

Why Loyalty Programs Matter Now 

paying mobile

Traditionally, it’s more cost-effective to focus on keeping customers than acquiring new ones. So it makes sense financially right now to invest in loyalty vs. acquisition. When you focus on current customers and put your energy into keeping them coming back and generating reoccurring revenue, you could see a bigger impact on your top and bottom line. Loyalty programs can also give you insights who your most valuable customers are and their buying habits. This information can prove vital if operations need to be adjusted, and more precise dials can be turned based on the trends that loyalty data provides. And finally, loyalty programs help keep your restaurant top of mind. If you’re not one of the first places that guests turn to, you may not recover as quickly as those who are. 

The Proof Is in the Programs 

paying with credit card

Several restaurants have seen great success with loyalty programs during the pandemic. Panera Bread’s program helped drive interest in a new coffee subscription service, just as the pandemic began. Wendy’s successfully launched their own rewards program this summer to drive customer frequency. Dunkin’s DD Perks program enrollment increased year-over-year by nearly 110%. Starbucks Rewards has continued to grow its long-standing successful loyalty program, seeing a 17% gain in members since this summer. And when Taco Bell unveiled their updated loyalty program last month, the website and app crashed at launch due to the crush of interest. While these success stories focus on quick service and fast casual restaurants, the appetite for loyalty programs stands to apply to casual dining as well. 

Keys to Loyalty Success 

using phone to pay in store

So what can you do now and next year to position your restaurant for loyalty program success? With it being reported that 75% of Americans have altered brand preferences during the pandemic, efforts centered on retaining this loyalty should make guests feel appreciated, recognized and rewarded. When looking at launching or improving a loyalty program, start with those compelling reasons to keep customers coming back. After that, eliminate as much friction in the process as possible. Make it easy for customers to sign up and redeem rewards, whether that’s improving app technology or operations in-store. Consider emphasizing personalization as well. With more customers connecting with restaurants digitally, there are more and more opportunities to deliver tailored, personalized offers and messages. And finally, with the pandemic still influencing behavior for many, try to offer as much flexibility as you can around reward redemption. You’ll not only make it easier to take advantage of points or benefits, but you’ll foster goodwill as well. Because loyalty programs aren’t just about the rewards, they’re about generating a real connection with your guests that keeps them coming back again and again. 

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COVID Restaurant Marketing Communications Advice

Drive-Thru & the Road to Recovery

Seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and safety precautions are still top-of-mind for many restaurant guests. As a result, drive-thrus have proven to be a big advantage for those brands and restaurants that offer them. While installing a drive-thru might not be feasible for your restaurant, there are still lessons to learn from this trend. 

Embrace the Concept

drive thru window

Drive-thrus have traditionally been one of the main points of distinction between quick service and fast casual or even casual dining. Adding a drive-thru to the latter two categories before COVID-19 could’ve been seen as a step in the wrong direction, weakening the quality of the brand. But as we’ve seen, customers are looking for this type of convenience, especially during a pandemic. 

It’s likely that it may not be feasible operationally or logistically to install an actual drive-thru, but are there parts of the experience you can adopt to help support off-premise services? Consider a walk-up window, temporary pick-up lanes or a creating a makeshift queue staffed by an employee with a mobile POS system. 

Consider Real Estate Solutions 

drive thru window with additional lane

In a position to be expanding or looking to relocate? Look at locations with an existing drive-thru set up or one that allows for space for curbside pickup. Even if it’s not in your short-term plans, guests looking for the flexibility of drive-thru, curbside and delivery options could be here to stay. 

Think High-Tech & Low-Touch

Customer paying at drive thru with contactless credit card payment.

If you are thinking of implementing a permanent or makeshift drive-thru for the time being, technology will likely be at the heart of the solution, with a mobile device being central to how guests interact with your restaurant.

Offering an online ordering solution can help streamline the ordering and pick-up process, so you can operate a drive-thru without menu boards or taxing employees with the burden of handling payment. And if you offer multiple pick-up points, an online app can help separate those orders or instruct guests exactly where to go upon arrival. 

While a true drive-thru experience may not be the answer for many casual restaurants, the benefit of fast, safe and socially-distanced pick-up is no doubt appealing to guests, and taking a look at where you can play up those elements within your own operations could certainly be beneficial at this time. 

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Restaurant Marketing Communications Advice

How COVID-19 Has Changed What Restaurant Guests Want

With the moving-target nature of a pandemic, we’ve all probably adjusted our behaviors or expectations once, twice, or twenty times over the past six months and restaurant guests are no exception. As you’re balancing how to best manage changes on your end, your customer is figuring out what they’re comfortable with and what they are looking for in a restaurant experience. So what is that? A recent Toast industry survey that gathered input from over 700 guests sheds some light on how expectations have changed and what a great restaurant experience looks like, at least for today.

Let’s walk through the restaurant-going experience and break down what guests are currently thinking, from discovery to dining into ordering out.

Word of Mouth is Driving Discovery

When it comes to discovering new restaurants or choosing where to eat, the survey found that 50% of guests rely on recommendations from friends and family. That’s because when safety is one of the primary drivers for consideration, people are trusting their inner circle much more than strangers on the Internet.

For restaurants, this means you can’t hope that a great Instagram account or even a strong Yelp page will be a substitute for walking the walk. Of course, those things shouldn’t be overlooked, but arming your guests with plenty of reasons to rave about their experiences is more important than ever. 

Safety Onsite is a Priority 

It’s no surprise that safety precautions rank just second to the quality of food when it comes to returning to on-premise dining. According to Toast, 43% of respondents said that attention to cleanliness influences that decision for them. And when they are on-premise, they’re looking for measures to keep them safe. What’s most important? They want to see staff taking safety precautions and wearing PPE, followed by hand sanitizer available at the table and single-use menus. 

Quality is Key for Takeout & Delivery

While concerns over cleanliness and safety are still high ranking when ordering takeout or delivery, most restaurant guests site the quality of the food as what they care about most. And a portion of respondents said they would continue to order takeout and delivery more than they did prior to COVID-19 once restaurant activity returns to normal. That’s a positive sign for restaurants, but also means it’s important to make sure takeout and delivery operations can keep operating at a high standard. 

Deals? Share ‘Em Via Email 

In a fragmented environment, consistent, reassuring communication can be a great way to build relationships with your customers, so you are top of mind when they do decide to dine out. What do they want to hear about when you get in touch? Specials and discounts come in at number one, with 69% of diners wanting deals to drive email messaging. Just behind that is wanting updates on reopening and safety precautions, with updates on new menu items sitting behind that at 51%.

This year may be unpredictable, but acting on data points like these can help give some control back to restaurants. Curious about what else guests are thinking? View the full survey results here.

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Restaurant Marketing Communications Advice

4 Lessons From The Pizza Delivery Model Your Restaurant Kneads to Know

Even though earnings for many restaurants are falling by double-digit percentages right now, pizza delivery earnings are expected to be flat or even up. Why? Because they’re uniquely positioned to meet off-premise demand. But you don’t have to be in the pizza business to stay competitive during the pandemic. Instead, implement these four best practices from the “secret sauce” of the pizza industry.

BUILD A MINIMUM VALUE MENU

Flour. Sauce. Cheese. A majority of a pizza restaurant’s menu boils down to a few basic ingredients. And when demand for delivery is high, fewer ingredients are an advantage. So start by focusing on a smaller, condensed version of your restaurant’s menu to help offset overhead while giving customers attractive options. This comes down to your “minimum value menu” a.k.a the smallest menu your restaurant can build that creates customer value while showcasing best-performing items.

— Just like pizza, consider prioritizing meals with shared ingredients to reduce waste and preparation time.

— Reduce your minimum value menu to popular, profitable items that travel well.

— Consider keeping comfort foods on your menu to satisfy the customer surge in cravings since the pandemic.

— Revisit your to-go packaging for the best-performing options based on your minimum value menu starting with our packaging guide.

— Continue to optimize your minimum value menu by tracking sales and asking customers for feedback.

MAKE ONLINE ORDERING EASY & ACCESSIBLE

The pizza industry has been pioneering online ordering and delivery for decades, which now includes everything from placing orders through Alexa to an up-to-the-minute status of your order through Domino’s Pizza Tracker. The lesson here? Make ordering from your restaurant as easy and accessible as possible. 

— Whether it’s Instagram or your restaurant’s website, provide clear instructions on where to place online orders through all your social and digital platforms.

— Create a clear pathway on your restaurant’s website that puts your menu front and center with simple CTAs such as “Order Online.”

— Whether it’s Olo or Toast, be sure your online ordering system is easy to navigate and mobile friendly.  

— If your online ordering solution offers  a Google My Business integration, make sure to use it to publicize your menu.

— Add links to online ordering in all your social bios. Make sure it’s in your pinned tweet on Twitter as well as visible on your review sites.

CONSISTENCY = LOYALTY

With limited preparation and large portions, the pizza industry model is built for consistency and value—two appealing propositions for customers in a time of uncertainty. And while not all restaurants can price their menu as competitively as the big pizza chains, they can build loyalty with customers by focusing on relationships and quality experiences. 

— Offer everyday values on your menu to build familiarity and repeat business, such as Domino’s longstanding $5.99 mix-and-match deal.

— Just as pizza goes perfectly with salad, offer thoughtful menu additions and suggestions during online checkout to help increase the average check.

— Offer family-sized meals designed for sharing by highlighting the costs at a per-person value.

— Add personalized touches to your off-premise orders, such as handwritten thank yous on the receipt, branded magnets with standing offers or even a loyalty signup form.

— Reach out to customers for feedback on their meal and delivery experience via social or email to be sure they’re happy. According to a McKinsey & Company study, repeat online customers spend more than double compared to new customers.

OFFER DELIVERY YOUR CUSTOMERS WILL TRUST

Third-party delivery services are a catch-22 felt by many restaurants—the pizza industry included. While they can offer exposure and convenience to potential customers, they can also cut into as much as 30% of every order your restaurant receives. The good news? As many as 78% of off-premise customers actually trust ordering direct over third-party delivery according to Restaurant Business Online.

— If you do have to utilize DoorDash or UberEats, increasing the price of menu items featured on the delivery app is a tactic many pizza chains have taken to offset these delivery fees in the past.

— Advertise lower menu prices or offer incentives to customers for ordering direct through your website like free delivery over a certain dollar amount or a free appetizer or dessert.

— Invest in your own dedicated delivery team and fleet in the likes of Dominos to offset off-premise costs.

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COVID Restaurant Branding Advice

Is Your Restaurant’s Google Presence Optimized For Covid-19 Recovery?

As time ticks on, doors to restaurants are opening for indoor and outdoor dining state by state. We know that as a restaurant owner or manager, you have been spending countless hours cleaning, sanitizing and preparing to open. But have you been reaching diners who are hungrily searching the internet for what to eat? Consider this nine-point checklist to ensure your restaurant has the best seat in the house online:

UPDATE GOOGLE MY BUSINESS PAGE INFORMATION 

Assuming that you already have an approved Google My Business page set up, make sure you go through and update the appropriate sections. In addition to updating your store hours, service areas, contact information and descriptions, you’ll want to also utilize the appropriate attribute tags such as accessibility, amenities, crowd, dining options, highlights, offerings, payment options and event planning. This past month, Google went ahead and added attributes for service options for restaurants which include: Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery, or Curbside pickup. If you need any assistance setting up or optimizing your business page, our SEO specialists at Push are happy to assist. 

ADD PHOTOS THROUGH GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

When it comes to dining, everyone eats with their eyes first. So make your business as craveable as possible with the Google My Business menu—where you can update photos from your restaurant. Besides your profile picture and cover photo, you can post anything that supports your restaurant such as food, bar, drinks or customers. 

HIGHLIGHT YOUR MENU

While this Google My Business feature takes some time to set up, it creates the best user experience in the search engine results. Give your future diners the ability to view your menu from Google’s results by uploading each menu item, picture and description. While this isn’t a new feature, it’s one you should certainly leverage if you haven’t already.

TURN ON GOOGLE MESSAGING

This is a newer feature within Google My Business that can help you increase engagement with users that may have specific questions. After enabling, you can download the Google My Business app and be alerted when users attempt to message your business. The best part is your phone number remains completely anonymous.

BUILD A CONTENT CALENDAR

Google My Business allows you to post directly from your business page in the search engine results. By actively posting updates, Google shows superb communication with searching customers. Just like any platform, the best way to stay organized is a good content calendar, making sure your messages are enticing and remain focused.

IMPLEMENT RESTAURANT SCHEMA MARKUP

One of the most important aspects of competitive search engine optimizations is Schema markup, which includes identifying important information on your website within the code on the page. When added, additional snippets of information about your business will appear in search results, increasing the prominence of your restaurant. While Schema is a fairly repetitive process, it typically takes a professional programmer to implement correctly. Let us know if this is something you have not done already for your restaurant website. 

SOLICIT REVIEWS FROM PREVIOUS CUSTOMERS

No one can give a better recommendation than your previous customers. So create a link to your Google review submission page and share it with your guests. While you can’t entice anyone to write a positive review, you can certainly request an honest one. If you’re putting in the effort, great reviews will come easy and will help you stay top-of-mind with your customers. 

REACH OUT TO BLOGGERS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR REVIEWS

One of the best ways to increase your restaurant’s presence on search engines are backlinks from relevant articles. The best way to get featured in relevant (but local) articles is to invite local publications and food bloggers for reviews. These reviews are not always easy to come by, but Google will reward you when an often-visited blog or publication writes about your restaurant and links to your website.

SET UP RESERVATION BOOKING

COVID-19, Restaurants, Corona Virus, Reservations

As restaurants open at limited capacities, reservations have become increasingly important for running operations efficiently. So make sure you are set up through an approved Google vendor and can book reservations directly though the search results page. Resy, for example, is a reservation platform tied directly into Google that allows users to book right from the search results.

Google values the most in-depth user experience, so utilizing these tips will help reward your restaurant with more attention. Let us know if you haven’t set up your Google My Business page or need help implementing any of the above tips. As always, we’re here to help you Push Forward. 

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COVID Restaurant Marketing Communications

Satisfying Comfort Food Cravings

While people continue to navigate their new normal, one constant has emerged in dining: Guests are craving comfort food now more than ever. Diners report having a hunger for comfort foods 25% more than before, and 40% of them are motivated to order because of that craving. Thinking of how you can seize on this trend in your restaurant? Cozy up to the following tips. 

Hero Hearty Favorites 

If people are seeking out comfort food items at your restaurant, consider giving them special prominence on the menu or featuring them in promotions. Keep in mind that to-go or takeout messaging might be a great place to promote these options as those types of dishes tend to travel well.

If comfort foods continue to be in high demand, you may even go so far as to trim your menu and shift your focus to these popular offerings, especially if other particular menu items haven’t been selling as well. 

Focus on Family Style 

Comfort food favorites are often those that are easily made or served “family style,” like mac ’n cheese, pasta dishes, pot roast, meat loaf, etc. Are there dishes you can convert to offering family style to give them that added dash of coziness and convenience? Similarly, you could consider bundling these offerings with drinks or dessert to round out the meal. 

Add Home-Cooked Favorites 

Are there simple dishes you could add to the menu to enhance your comfort offerings? Soups paired with simple sandwiches could be an easy way to up your menu’s comfort food level. Soups are also easy to order large quantities of to save for later and offer that nostalgia and sense of home we’re all craving. 

Share on Social 

And finally, don’t forget to spread the word. Comfort food photographs almost as good as it tastes. Get up and close and personal with the dishes and post crave-worthy shots on social to really get mouths watering. 

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COVID Restaurant Marketing Communications Lifestyle

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR OUTDOOR DINING SPACE

According to Dataessential research, 47% of diners are willing to dine-in at a restaurant with outdoor or patio seating. So if you’re considering maximizing your restaurant’s capacity by expanding outdoors, now may be a good time to think about the logistics of your setup, safety measures and curb appeal. 

START WITH THE BASICS 

By expanding your restaurant’s square footage to sidewalks, patios, the street or even the parking lot, you can operate at closer to full capacity. But before you start moving outside, check for any state and local mandates to determine how much space your restaurant is allowed to accommodate and how temporary your setting will be. Beyond any local ordinances, here are a few things to consider for your space: 

  • Consider your average party size for your restaurant, such as a table of 4 or 6 people, to best determine the ideal table size for your outdoor area
  • Space tables 6 feet from other tables measured from the back of each chair, chair-to-chair
  • While folding chairs and patio tables may be appropriate for temporary setups, more permanent fixtures like picnic tables and heavy seating that are difficult to move will help ensure social distancing is maintained
  • Set up an outdoor host stand to help direct diners when they arrive
  • Clearly designate areas for foot traffic and your restaurant to help diners navigate your outdoor area and prevent congregating too closely
  • Help give outdoor diners peace of mind with outdoor sanitation stations, your COVID-19 policies, inviting safety signage and notices that your staff is regularly cleaning all surfaces, just as they would do indoors 

KEEP IT LEGAL 

While many state and local governments are temporarily suspending the necessary permits needed for outdoor dining, it’s important to keep a few things in mind before setting up: 

  • Don’t put any temporary furniture over street drains that could impede water flow
  • Ensure outdoor dining areas are not in any fire lanes or obstructing access to fire hydrants or any other safety amenities
  • Consider what your pet policy will be for your outdoor dining area
  • When in doubt, contact your local municipality to ensure you are following the correct processes and have the proper permissions 

DRESS TO IMPRESS 

Not only does an open air environment lower the risk for spreading COVID-19, but it can also make your restaurant look more enticing to passersby. If you can invest especially in dialing up the decor of your outdoor space: 

  • Use planters to transform an outdoor space by creating natural barriers and even minimizing surrounding noise
  • Temporary decking, turf or platforms that cover the ground can also help demarcate the space while providing ADA accessibility
  • Keep your diners comfortable by providing shade with canopy tents, umbrellas, fans or even portable AC
  • Bring your indoor branding outside by adding color treatments to barriers that separate seating, or by defining areas on the ground with chalk, corn starch paint, epoxy gravel or tempera paint