Food Service Revitalized Marketing During COVID-19

Whether you are a food service restaurant, counter service restaurant, or any other food service, in today's environment, attracting customers takes more than just saying, "We're Open!".  With food services everywhere facing tighter restrictions, you have to revitalize your marketing to better stand out from your competition. 

In this post, we’ll show you simple steps you can take to help your foodservice business stand out from the crowd. 

The Situation:
In recent months, outdoor dining was a saving grace, allowing for maximum capacity under the capacity restrictions. Now, with colder weather coming, seating becomes more limited and you'll be more reliant on pick-up and delivery. You need a way to set yourself apart from others so that YOUR restaurant is the one people choose. 

The plan:
Make changes that take away the fear of going out and give customers confidence that your restaurant is a safe place to be. Make changes that exceed the guidelines:

• Clean work surfaces with viricide on a set schedule.
• Wear face masks at all times and wear them properly.
• Maintain workstations and dining at recommended distances - adjust your tables according to the latest guidelines.
• Take temperatures of workers. 
• Set up a delivery service pickup zone.

Be sure to check the FDA's updated schedule for cleaning and to stay up-to-date on face mask rules and ordinances.



The Execution:
After you have set up your restaurant in a way that will help to remove any fear that customers may have in going to your restaurant, tell the story! Show your customers in your marketing messages the steps that you've taken to create a safe environment for customers. This will help to build their trust and, ultimately, choose your establishment for their dining.

• Take pictures of the things you've put in place. Ideas of things you can capture in photos:
  • Your front door and hostess setup
  • The table spacing
  • Your delivery service pickup zone
  • Happy workers who are wearing masks the proper way
  • Your restrooms with improved safety features

When you are forthcoming with this information and you show your customers the changes you've made, it will give them a sense of respect towards you and help to build trust because they can see that you are willing to share the facts.

Additional Resources:
View the slides
Reopening Your Business After COVID-19: A Business Case Study

CEF’s advisors provide helpful suggestions of an educational nature that are not intended to mandate or supersede the business practices or decisions of your Company, its owners, or managers. The information provided in this guide does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available herein are for general informational purposes only. You should contact your attorney to understand your rights and for legal advice about your specific situation.