Is Your Bar Ready for the New Normal?

bar new normal sculpture hospitalityAs states around the country start to get the green light to open within certain restrictions and guidelines, now is the time for bars to plan for opening day.

Our definition of “business as usual” has drastically changed due to COVID-19, and it could remain this way for quite some time. So, it is crucial to adapt and strategically plan ahead, to ensure your restaurant is a safe and positive place to enjoy.

Sculpture Hospitality recently shared a post on its blog with useful information to help bars adjust to the “new normal” and help their customers feel as safe and comfortable as possible.

The post covers a variety of topics, including:

  • How to support staff members
  • Why take-out and delivery will still be important even after reopening
  • How to reduce tension for your guests
  • How to tighten up your inventory processes
  • Why shifting to a reservations-only system may be beneficial
  • The value of increasing your promotions

One valuable point the article makes relates to delivery apps. These apps have been in the news recently thanks to increased profits they are making off the fees they charge bars and restaurants. Guests have become more accustomed to dining through delivery and take-out, as it offers a safer option. Younger guests have been the earliest adopters of this process as it offers them convenience by ordering through apps such as UberEats, Skip the Dishes, and GrubHub. While it’s important to continue to offer delivery options, it’s also necessary to consider the fact that these food ordering apps operate by incurring as much as a 10-25% fee from each order.

So how can bar owners convince customers to pick-up rather than order through an app? One idea would be to offer a 5% or 10% discount or free appetizer, if the guest were to pick-up the order themselves, thus saving on the delivery cost.

For more ideas, strategies, and things to do before opening day, read Sculpture Hospitality’s full blog post.

Photo: Mohammad Saifullah on Unsplash