Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash
By Amy Fletcher
The restaurant industry is one of many that has been impacted by lockdown, with data derived by Yelp indicating that around 53% of restaurants that closed during this period have decided to do so permanently. The situation varies greatly, with some establishments opening with a 50% capacity and others temporarily deciding to switch to a takeaway or home delivery model. So, if you have a vegan business, how can you ensure that the restaurant you worked so hard to set up and make thrive continues to enjoy success in the future?
Communicate Takeout and Delivery Solutions
Restaurants that survive are those that know how to adapt to the times and reinvent themselves. Currently, the models that best work in terms of authentic social distancing are the takeout and delivery models but you can take it a step further by offering irresistible deals. These may include two-for-one dishes and ‘self-isolation survival kits’. The latter can contain a host of vegan delights, delivered to your clients’ doorstep at no extra cost. Ideas for a vegan box include vegan cheeses, seitan sausages, homemade vegan desserts, and biodynamic wine.
Use Social Media to Spread Awareness about the Immunity Benefits of Vegan Cuisine
Plant-based foods boost immunity, with one study published in the journal Cell Press showing that green vegetables in particular give out a ‘chemical sign’ required by the immune system to function well. Now is a time in which people need to work harder than ever to boost their resistance to flus and other infections and a fiber-rich diet can help them do so, since it promotes gut health and battles inflammation. Use Instagram stories, Facebook and Twitter posts, and your blog to share findings from recent studies that point to the great importance of a vegan diet in pandemic times.
Building a Solid Sanitation and HR Strategy
Develop a strict sanitation strategy you can communicate to clients, so they feel more secure dining in your establishment. Your cleaning tactics should include more frequent sanitation of all frequently touched surfaces and menus and more frequent cleaning during shifts. You might also consider the use of ozone generations (which help eliminate viruses and bacteria) in areas such as offices and indoor dining spaces or bars. You should also communicate your employee sick leave policy and even consider having PCR tests and temperature controls for staff. Of course, PCR testing will need to be conducted on a weekly basis to be effective.
It is a tough time for business across the globe and the hospitality and food industries have been particularly hard-hit. To make the most of this challenging time, turn your vegan restaurant into a safe, sanitized haven; one in which the safety of clients and workers is foremost. Come up with creative ways to boost your takeaway and delivery services and communicate key measures to clients via social media, keeping your channels open to feedback and suggestions.
Here are a few extra resources to set your vegan business up for success:
- With SpotMe, you can host great virtual events and stay connected with your colleagues online.
- Read about why working from home is becoming the new normal.
- Learn about the The Plant Powered Women’s Network and how you can become a part of this great community.
- See how restaurateurs are coping across the U.S. on industry website Restaurant Dive.
- Find out why fruits and vegetables are so important for immunity in this study.
About the Author
Amy Fletcher is a freelance writer and researcher with a keen interest in business management. In recent years she has written for various online magazines, journals, and blogs. When she’s not writing she enjoys long walks with her daughter and two dogs.
