Restaurant Reopening a la COVID-19

It won't be the strongest, nor the largest, nor the richest, nor the smartest that will survive the new era of the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry. Being the most adaptable to change what will set some restaurants apart from the rest. Yes, money and talented leaders will help; but adaptation and execution to the new normal is crucial to navigate these stormy waters.

We are here now. What are we going to do next? But most importantly, how are we going to adjust our old way of doing business "as usual". As the world starts to reopen its restaurant doors back up, we will notice is that not all of them will be able to. I estimate 20% to 30% will not reopen depending on their location, financial strength, or if they even had a good steady business prior to the Government ordered shutdown. With the expectation of many restaurants not being able to reopen their doors, will the days of Restaurant Rows, Restaurant centric entertainment centers and Restaurant cannibalism be over?

What would the general public reaction be when the shutdown orders for bars and restaurants are lifted? The adaptation begins at the door with regulations, such as; taking the staff temperatures before they clock in, taking the guest temperature before they come in and sit down, schedule hand washing breaks for the whole staff, are the servers of food runners going to be wearing a mask while taking your order and delivering meals to your table, is the kitchen crew going to wear face masks also, seating four or six people maximum per table and maintaining the tables 6 feet apart, therefore losing capacity and revenue within the few hours that we are normally open. How are we going to be able to make our rent payment? Can we restructure our rent with the landlord?

I remember being a small child and going out to eat with my family. It was fun! We sat in large groups with friends and family and shared appetizers and the adults usually over order food and drank wine and told amusing stories, and it was loud, it was an experience with long lasting memories. How would we recreate those memories for future generations?

What do you think?