The American restaurant industry was among the sectors that suffered the brunt of COVID-19. Although many restaurants have still not reopened to date, some have resumed operations, albeit cautiously. For instance, instead of the regular communal table, some restaurants have adopted one-person tables to ensure social distancing. Here’s a look at how different restaurants are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis:
No-Craft Cocktails
Restaurants that sell liquor are selling their drinks through contactless deliveries to minimize the spread of the virus. For instance, HunkyDory is a restaurant in Brooklyn offering eight different cocktails in one to four servings. Customers pre-order the drinks for contactless delivery and receive them in sealed packaging. HunkyDory also offers free recipes to enable customers to make their drinks at home.
The Philanthropy Flip
Instead of closing their doors, some businesses opted to become philanthropic during the pandemic. For instance, Little Sesame, a restaurant in Washington, partnered with Dreaming Out Loud, a non-profit organization, to supply meals for people in the food deserts of the city. So far, they have provided at least 10,000 meals through their Meals for the City initiative.
The Seasonal Supplier
Some restaurants have taken advantage of seasonal events to maximize their sales. Peace a Pizza franchise is a good example. During the Easter holidays, this restaurant decided to sell egg-decorating kits to parents and kids stuck at home due to the lockdown. The kit comprised pre-boiled eggs, stickers, dyes, and handwritten instructions on how to color the eggs. Considering the fun that came with this, the owner made huge sales.
Breaking Bread
During the pandemic, baking bread became popular, thanks to social media platforms, per the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). As such, the demand for baking necessities such as wheat flour and yeast surged. Mighty Bread Company, a Philadelphia-based baking company, not only decided to supply the regular sandwiches, loaves, and sweet treats but also sell different types of flour through their online store.
Doomsday Dinner Party
Ardyn, a small New York-based restaurant, wanted to enable its customers to have a restaurant experience at home. To achieve this, they introduced a “doomsday dinner party” during which their staff would deliver lobsters, wagyu ribeye, and octopus to the customers while wearing bunny masks. The meals delivered are par-cooked, and hence, the customers only need to complete the cooking, serve, and eat.
Delivering Value to Families
Restaurants such as the Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) understand that being stuck at home can make everything boring, including cooking. As such, they have opted to deliver meals for four people for only $150. Customers can also pick up their orders if they wish.
Homemade Bar Kits
xtraCHEF customer Silver Light Tavern is one of the restaurants selling homemade bar kits to their customers. With the kits, customers can make their favorite drinks in the comfort of their homes.
These are some of the creative ways restaurants across the U.S. are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, the right insurance coverage is vital. At RMS Insurance Brokerage, LLC, we can help craft a customized policy for your establishment. To learn more about restaurant insurance coverage, contact our experts today at (516) 742-8585