Boosting sales for F&B companies during this COVID-19 pandemic sounds like a dream to many restaurant owners. There have been innumerable reports of businesses struggling to adapt to social distancing measures and changing consumer behaviour. To learn more, read this article about changing consumer behaviour during COVID-19.
Not all is doom and gloom though. Many restaurant owners look over existing solutions to the issues currently being faced. Many of these solutions have been around for a few years. However, they are not widely adopted yet. This pandemic is the perfect opportunity for restaurant owners to turn their business around and give it a fresh new look.
-
Third-party delivery
People are staying home a lot more, whether due to safety reasons or government regulations. Large swaths of people find this adjustment to be comfortable, and this could spell a long-term shift towards virtual work. People are generally more agreeable with staying home now. Thus, consumers look towards delivery options for ways to quickly and effortlessly get food. Delivery is speedy, and customers never have to wait more than an hour for their meals to arrive.
Delivery is here to stay as a consumer preference well into the future. Businesses can choose to provide either direct delivery or contactless delivery. Both types have their merits. Direct delivery allows the customer to interact with the delivery rider, and the brand’s service will be evaluated higher. Contactless delivery is an option for more health-conscious consumers and those who are unable to meet the delivery rider at that exact moment.
On top of this, online delivery platforms offer restaurants a chance to upsell and cross-sell their products. Customers are highly likely to spend more when offered a drink, side, or dessert before they check out. A single prompt is already boosting sales for large F&B companies, and it has the potential to do the same for smaller restaurants too.
-
Takeaway and pickup
Staying at home for long periods is not sustainable for many. Thus, people do have an urge to go out, whether to exercise, shop, or eat. However, as eating habits change, people are becoming warier of eating amongst strangers. This means that dining in is falling out of favour during COVID-19, even if the option is available.
Takeaway and pickup options are two solutions that do not require a significant overhaul. Diverting food away from diner’s plates and into their takeaway boxes is a small change in the kitchen that has big impacts on profit margins. After all, why drive away customers who want to eat, simply because they do not want to eat inside the restaurant?
Adding on, takeaway and pickup can streamline kitchen operations. Fewer waiters are needed to serve customers, dishes do not need to be plated as meticulously, and food can be cooked in bigger batches. Providing these two options results in cost savings, on top of boosting sales for F&B companies.
-
Digital menu
Another solution is to offer digital menus. This is such that customers do not touch physical menus, which eliminates their fear of contracting a virus or spreading germs. There is also less interaction between waiters and customers, which decreases the instances of possible COVID-19 spread.
Digital menus are a bright opportunity for restaurants to simplify and streamline their ordering processes. Reduce the burden on staff, track orders, and adopt self-service. Customers will feel safer and happier as a result. Profit margins will increase as costs will be lowered too! For more information on digital menus, read 10 reasons for an online menu for restaurants.
Conclusion: Boosting Sales for F&B Companies during COVID-19
Boosting sales for F&B companies during COVID-19 may seem like a difficult task. With this article, we have shed some light on the different solutions that restaurant owners can take to boost sales and see their restaurant succeed again. Don’t let COVID-19 be a hurdle. Instead, turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth and improvement.