An appropriately planned reopening for dining establishments, generally, will be guided by the following principles:
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Health & Well-Being
Food service establishments must demonstrate the importance placed on the health and well-being of their employees and customers. This may include posting policies including symptom checking, as well as publicizing employee measures (and support of employees) to customers. Help customers understand the new expectations and behave in safe ways. |
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Stay Nimble; Information is Fluid
This is a fluid environment and will evolve as things are tried, information is gathered, guidance from authorities changes, and customer responses are surveyed and understood. Be prepared to operate in an iterative way. Expect to make continuous adjustments and changes. Plan for multiple possible future scenarios. Observe results and track metrics.
This is a fluid environment and will evolve as things are tried, information is gathered, guidance from authorities changes, and customer responses are surveyed and understood. Be prepared to operate in an iterative way. Expect to make continuous adjustments and changes. Plan for multiple possible future scenarios. Observe results and track metrics.
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Menu Dictates Space
A tighter, more focused menu allows food service operators to better plan labor and prep needs, and run a more sanitized kitchen. Refocus external communications to celebrate a carefully crafted, reduced menu. Focus on what you know diners will love, and tell a story that highlights what your establishment does best. Consider pre-selling items to anticipate capacity and plan your operations. |
Trusted Provider
Embrace preparation and safety protocols as part of your establishment’s story. Assert yourself as a safe public space/beacon/gathering place. Become a trusted local provider that builds loyalty & signifies safety though your sanitation rigor.
Embrace preparation and safety protocols as part of your establishment’s story. Assert yourself as a safe public space/beacon/gathering place. Become a trusted local provider that builds loyalty & signifies safety though your sanitation rigor.
Buffered, Sealed Back of House
Maintain a distinct separation between FOH & BOH. Social distancing in BOH may be challenging, and the FOH is exposed to many variables. Use expeditors as a buffer between those who can touch food and those who cannot. Designate separate entrances for FOH and BOH employees. Signal separation through visual cues (glove colors, aprons, head covering color) and make customers aware that a plan is in place.
Maintain a distinct separation between FOH & BOH. Social distancing in BOH may be challenging, and the FOH is exposed to many variables. Use expeditors as a buffer between those who can touch food and those who cannot. Designate separate entrances for FOH and BOH employees. Signal separation through visual cues (glove colors, aprons, head covering color) and make customers aware that a plan is in place.
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Buffered, Contactless Front of House
FOH needs multiple layers or barriers reinforced by products, furniture, and staff structure in order to support distancing by diners at every level. Main considerations include the table setting (minimal), how food is ordered (digital, disposable menus), and how food arrives (minimal contact). |
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New Rituals & Positive Outlook
Don’t view regulations as onerous or challenging. Different doesn’t have to be negative. Seek opportunities to create new, lasting rituals, to signal safety, to claim new spaces, and to innovate.
Don’t view regulations as onerous or challenging. Different doesn’t have to be negative. Seek opportunities to create new, lasting rituals, to signal safety, to claim new spaces, and to innovate.
Transparency & Communication
Incomplete or incorrect information poses a risk in this complex, unprecedented situation. Clear, concise, complete, consistent communication to employees and customers is critical, and will help boost efficiency, morale, and consumer sentiment.
Incomplete or incorrect information poses a risk in this complex, unprecedented situation. Clear, concise, complete, consistent communication to employees and customers is critical, and will help boost efficiency, morale, and consumer sentiment.