It’s hard to imagine, but hospitality venues will open again one day. And when they do, here are 5 tips for reopening your restaurant. <\/p>\n
B<\/span>ars and restaurants a<\/span>cross\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>U.S.\u00a0<\/span>have been closed for more than a month due to the coronavirus<\/span>. While many still offer\u00a0<\/span>take-out<\/span>\u00a0and delivery options, an estimated\u00a0<\/span>8 million workers<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>without jobs<\/span>, with venues seeing more than 50% loss in revenue\u00a0<\/span>and an even higher number in lost patronage.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During a time where we must all work together to ensure the safety of our country and\u00a0<\/span>its<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>inhabitants, states are more divided than ever<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0trying to decide when the right time is to \u201cre-open\u201d their\u00a0<\/span>businesses\u00a0<\/span>while determining what\u00a0<\/span>the new \u2018normal\u2019\u00a0<\/span>will look\u00a0<\/span>like.\u00a0<\/span>States have already begun to create a plan for allowing dine-in<\/span>, while others are waiting to on their\u00a0<\/span>governors<\/span>\u00a0to lift stay-at-home protocols.<\/span>\u00a0According to\u00a0<\/span>Eater<\/span><\/a>, some suggest there may be a \u201crolling lockdown cycle\u201d that could last for 18 months, where city\u2019s will open their businesses just to\u00a0<\/span>be forced to<\/span>\u00a0close them again on short notice, repeating this process several times.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So far, there are no set rules for re-opening, although e<\/span>conomic and safety analysts\u00a0<\/span>have begun to speculate what parameters will be set for\u00a0<\/span>restaurants, retail stores, and other non-essential businesses<\/span>. Recently, <\/span>cities\u00a0<\/span>like Hong Kong have\u00a0<\/span>begun<\/span>\u00a0allowing patrons to dine-in at restaurants,\u00a0<\/span>possibly setting an example for other countries re-opening plans. In Hong Kong, some establishments are taking guests temperature before they enter<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span>\u00a0having them sign waivers<\/span>\u00a0(stating they don\u2019t have COVID-19 symptoms or that they haven\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0recently<\/span>\u00a0traveled internationally), and have\u00a0<\/span>capacity requirements, ensuring guests are still\u00a0<\/span>social distancing<\/span>. Often police have been<\/span>\u00a0stationed on the street to help enforce<\/span>\u00a0these<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>safet<\/span>y measures.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With so\u00a0<\/span>much uncertainty surrounding our future<\/span>, being prepared is key<\/span>\u00a0for the success of your business<\/span>\u00a0(and could help manage some of your stress).\u00a0<\/span>Create <\/span>a plan for your eventual launch using these tips for reopening your restaurant: <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Schedule a deep clean<\/span><\/b> Check out some\u00a0<\/span>simple\u00a0<\/span>tips<\/span><\/a>\u00a0from Nation\u2019s Restaurant News for keeping a clean environment<\/span>, including sanitizing menus and installing sneeze guards.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Encourage\u00a0<\/span><\/b>health and safety practices\u00a0<\/span><\/b> Additionally, you should continue to encourage<\/span>\u00a0employees to\u00a0<\/span>prioritize<\/span>\u00a0their health and safety by staying home\u00a0<\/span>if they feel unwell or are showing symptoms. Maintaining high health standards internally is one of the most important tips for reopening your restaurant.<\/span><\/p>\n Stay\u00a0<\/span><\/b>up to date<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on your state\u2019s laws<\/span><\/b> Some states have capacity restrictions\u00a0<\/span>in place, like South Carolina where retail stores\u00a0<\/span>must<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>limit<\/span><\/a>\u00a0occupancy to five customers per 1,000 square feet, or 20% of posted occupancy limits, whichever is lower.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>With similar restrictions seen in Hong Kong, it\u2019s safe to<\/span>\u00a0assume\u00a0<\/span>restaurants will have to comply with these capacity mandates as well. Begin to familiarize yourself with different capacity percentages for your restaurant\u00a0<\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>case<\/span>\u00a0the time comes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Preparing your\u00a0<\/span><\/b>team<\/span><\/b> Even for small businesses who were eligible and received the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan<\/span>, rehiring staff isn\u2019t as easy as it seems, considering they must do so by the end of June, though no one knows what the state\u00a0<\/span>of the stay-at-home orders will be.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a couple factors to consider for rebuilding your team:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Communicate clearly<\/span><\/b> In terms of\u00a0<\/span>non-essential business,\u00a0the restaurant and hospitality industries\u00a0<\/span>have\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>Whether\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0restaurant has\u00a0<\/span>had limited operations or has been completely closed, it\u2019s a good idea to schedule\u00a0<\/span>a deep clean prior to any dine-in service<\/span>s.\u00a0<\/span>Y<\/span>o<\/span>u<\/span>\u2019<\/span>l<\/span>l<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>l<\/span>s<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>w<\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>t<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>t<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>i<\/span>nstitute a daily cleaning schedule if you don\u2019t have one already.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Practicing good hygiene is standard protocol at restaurants, but you\u2019ll want to emph<\/span>asize\u00a0<\/span>this point more during this time. Consider creating\u00a0<\/span>sanitizing\u00a0<\/span>areas<\/span>, make sure your bathroom is always stocked with soap, and\u00a0<\/span>limit\u00a0<\/span>self-service<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>s<\/span>tation<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013\u2013\u00a0<\/span>like offering\u00a0<\/span>bowls of<\/span>\u00a0mints or toothpicks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>The best way to be prepared is to be knowledgeable<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>check out this\u00a0<\/span>website<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that lists the most recent COVID-19 related restrictions by state.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Once bars and restaurants were forced to shut down,\u00a0<\/span>many had to lay off their staff for an undetermined amount of time<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>With the thought of reopening comes concerns surrounding\u00a0<\/span>hiring back employees<\/span>;<\/span>\u00a0how to do so with limited revenue<\/span>, how to begin the process, and what type of support\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019ll need.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n<\/span>Creat<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0a clear line of communication for your guests and employees\u00a0<\/span>on how you\u2019re maintaining a safe atmosphere at your business. You\u2019ll help ease concerns and show you\u2019re committed to health and saf<\/span>ety standards.\u00a0<\/span>Think about newsletters or group chats for your team, and social media posts or flyers for guests.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n