Restaurant operators surveyed by Datassential have overwhelmingly observed an increase in takeout orders during the pandemic. Yet, for 80% of respondents, these increases have not been enough to offset dine-in losses. As restaurant operators adjusted in real time, they made necessary additions and cuts to their menu offerings. The following are the nine most common, ranked from least to most popular.
Multi-day meal options
Meal planning can be one beast of a to-do task. Meal-prep hacks can only go so far. Six percent of surveyed restaurant operators reported offering new multi-day meal options for consumers as part of their coronavirus response.
Indulgent food
Conversely, 14% of operators upped their guilty pleasure offerings. This comes as no surprise given how french fries and indulgent foods reign supreme over America’s favorite takeout.
Full meal bundles
Sides and drinks for all. Sixteen percent of survey respondents added full meal bundles to their menu offerings throughout quarantine.
Refrigerated or frozen ‘take and bake’ items
Price discounts, coupons or meal deals
Unemployment rates hit record highs during the first weeks of the coronavirus crisis. In some states, claims were up over 4,000%. Of the restaurant operators surveyed, 19% said they added price discounts, coupons or meal deals to their menu during this financially trying time.
Comfort foods
Not just financially trying but mentally taxing, the pandemic makes for prime comfort food eating. Accordingly, 21% of operators expanded their comfort food selections.
Large, family- or bulk-size options
Narrowed or limited menu offerings
Finally, instead of adding to their menu, half of food establishment operators made the necessary decision to narrow or limit their menu.
Most common operational changes
Along with menu changes, restaurant operators have made updates to operational procedures during the pandemic. With statewide stay-at-home orders lasting weeks and social distancing practices still inhibiting full service, food establishments have learned ways to keep staff safe and serve customers responsibly. Here are the nine most common changes from least to most popular.
To stop the spread of the virus, 24% of restaurant operators surveyed added online ordering and or prepay functions to their establishments.
Signed on to new third-party delivery services
In March and April, popular chains like McDonald’s, KFC and others announced partnerships with delivery businesses like Grubhub and DoorDash to waive delivery fees. In all, 27% of respondents report having signed up their restaurant for new third-party delivery services.
Directly contacted customers with updates
Given the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic, 28% of operators have begun contacting customers directly with updates and policy changes.
Offered contactless delivery
Even for businesses that already offered delivery, the coronavirus has ushered 37% of respondents into a new era of contactless delivery. Don’t forget to properly tip the delivery driver 20% of the bill or $5, whichever is higher.
Shuffled staff
Thirty-seven percent of restaurant operators have shuffled or repurposed their staff, turning bussers into delivery drivers and servers into curbside pickup assistants.
Updated food safety procedures
Sixty-two percent of surveyed restaurant operators updated their food safety procedures during the coronavirus pandemic. Take a note from the pros and up your food safety game starting with defrosting food right.
Closed off seating and dine-in service
In accordance with government regulations, 63% of restaurants closed seating or shut down dine-in entirely during the early months of the pandemic. Since restaurants have reopened, food establishments have found many crafty ways to promote social distancing.
Added curbside pickup
Curbside pickup has become a happy medium between delivery and dine-in during the pandemic. Since the outbreak’s start, 66% of respondents have added curbside pickup to their restaurant’s services.
Reduced hours of operation
The most popular operational change among restaurant operators is reduced hours, with 68% surveyed saying they’ve done so during the pandemic.
What changes might stick around after the coronavirus pandemic?
Restaurants will look different at all stages of reopening. Some of the common menu and operational changes restaurants made during the pandemic may stick around after restrictions are lifted. These are the nine changes most likely to stay.
Curbside pickup
Fifty-three percent of respondents view new curbside pickup services as effective now and potentially effective in the future, post-pandemic.
Price discounts, coupons and meal deals
Happy couponing. Fifty-six percent of respondents see presently effective price discounts and other deals as potentially effective in the future.
Contactless delivery
Expect contactless delivery to continue after the coronavirus pandemic. Fifty-seven percent of survey respondents view the new delivery safety measures as effective now and say they will continue in the future.
Indulgent foods
Indulgent foods are also here for the long haul. Sixty percent of survey respondents expect to keep new indulgent offerings on the menu.
Large, family- or bulk-size options
Large, family- or bulk-sized meal options may also be here to stay. According to the survey, 65% of operators expect these offerings to continue post-COVID.
Third-party delivery services
Seventy-nine percent of operators surveyed expect to continue delivery services through third-party groups following the pandemic.
Even if you’re just stopping into a restaurant for takeout — the lowest risk ways to dine out — health experts recommend utilizing contactless payment when possible. But, if that’s not an option, see if it’s possible to use a tray or counter to exchange payment rather than by hand. One health professional even recommends using a Q-tip to key in your PIN numbers.
Ask questions
While it’s important to check what a restaurant’s COVID-19 procedures are prior to dining there, health professionals also encourage patrons to ask questions. If you’re not sure what a restaurant’s policies are, ask them what precautions they’ve taken and what cleaning and disinfection policies they’ve implemented.
Look for warning signs
Another great way to stay safer when dining out is by looking for warning signs or indicators that proper coronavirus precautions aren’t in place. Employees failing to wear face masks and not washing their hands frequently are two warning signs. Also look out for social distancing at tables, plexiglass barriers and paper menus or QR code menus. If the bathrooms or your table look dirty, those might also be signs that the restaurant isn’t following recommended safety procedures.
Change your clothes when you get home
If you want to stay on the extra safe side, or if you feel like you’ve been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, one health professional even recommends changing your clothes after dining out. For a complete guide on how to properly wash your clothes after potential exposure, click here.
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