DON'T DO THIS WITH YOUR RESTAURANT DURING THE CORONAVIRUS!

These are great examples of what you should NOT be doing right now.

Instead, do these 10 things your restaurant can do right now to respond to Coronavirus.

It is impossible to escape having a conversation about COVID-19 right now. There is reason to have concern and pay attention to what is happening, especially when it comes to ensuring the health and safety of yourself, your loved ones and your peers.

But it's going to end. This will not last. In the not too distant future, we will go back to living a normal life.

Restaurants are being hit hard as people are being told to practice social distancing. However, people still need to eat and restaurants serve a key need, not just in providing fuel but also small moments of comfort.

Right now is the time to put on your A-game face, plan for the future and provide the absolute best customer service possible.

If you haven't already, evaluate your food and health safety practices and made the necessary changes to exponentially increase your standards across the board. 

Once you've done that, here are 10 things you can put into practice right now to help your customers in the moment and your business in the long run.

1. Add free-standing hand sanitizer stations right inside your door and encourage staff to encourage customers to use it as they walk in ... and then go straight to the bathroom to wash their hands.

2. Share what steps you are taking to prevent the spread of disease with customers on your website, social and table side. Consumers are looking at social media RIGHT NOW to see if restaurants are doing this before calling to place orders or going in to dine.

3. Encourage your customers to act as eyes and ears for for problems and give them an easy way to share with any staff member. 

4. KEEP IT GOING. Just because you posted it once on Instagram, does not mean you are done. Keep the safety messages going. Just like a Mother hugs her child every day, you need to give constant reminders that safety has superseded all other practices.

5. Did a customer write a review on Google or share a positive experience on Instagram about a delivery, pick up or dine in experience in the midst of what is happening? Reply and thank them. Then share that review on all possible channels, remain humble and thank the customer for their support.

Encourage your customers to leave you a review. Ask them, "Did we do everything OK today? Did it feel safe? Were you happy?" If they say no, ask for suggestions. If they say yes, ask them if they wouldn't mind sharing that on Google, Yelp, Facebook, Instagram or wherever they would like.

6. Dial up your delivery, order ahead, pick up, drive-thru and gift cards efforts. This includes sharing content on email, social, your website and anywhere else that you offer it. Remind customers that you have solutions that align to social distancing.

7. Give everyone a stimulus by discounting their next transaction with you. Whether that is a discount, a coupon or a free order of fries, give, give, give.

8. Think about ways you can create a value-driven offering. People need to eat. They need comfort now, make it easy and pleasant to be fed by a restaurant they love.

• Can you create a $5 breakfast menu?
• How about a $10 or $12 lunch offering?
• What about an easy order family meal?

Make it simple. Make it easy. Make it affordable. Help people eat well.

9. Feed the needy. Can you offer free lunches for kids who would normally rely on school for a meal? Can you deliver a care meal to people in high-risk health categories? Can you hand out some free sandwiches to public service workers and officials who have to run the city or town in the middle of all of this? Help where you can help.

10. With any down time you have, choose at least one online marketing, software, social media or customer loyalty project you've been blowing that you know is important but you've been waiting for the "right time" to start, and start it.

This is all going to end and we will be in a better place on the other side. Start action now.

Make it a great tasty day.

#RevsMarketingTips