Whether it’s pandemics, fiscal, or personal issues, there will be times when you might have to close down your restaurant business.
If you’re one of the unfortunate restaurant owners who had to do so, you’re in the right place. We’re going to do our best to walk you through re-opening your restaurant so that you can get back to business ASAP.
How to Reopen a Restaurant
Reopening a restaurant has one major advantage—you’ve already done this before. Now all that’s left for you to do is make sure you understand the cause of closure and reopen stronger.
The best way to reopen a restaurant is to start from scratch and make sure you have all the fundamentals in check before throwing a big reopening party.
1. Assess and Understand the Cause of Closure
When you’re dealing with a restaurant closure, it’s important to first figure out exactly why it shut down. This could be because of health code issues, money problems, or other operational glitches. Once you’ve identified what went wrong, you need to tackle these issues head-on.
This might mean fixing up the place to meet health standards, updating your safety procedures to ensure everything is up to scratch, or getting your finances in order to stabilize your business. These steps are key not just to reopen your doors but to keep them open and avoid similar problems down the road. From here, consider reviewing your restaurant opening and closing checklist and move to the next step.
2. Update Your Business Plan
When you’re ready to reopen your restaurant, it’s key that you review and update your restaurant business plan. Start with a dive into your finances. Take a fresh look at your business model and financial strategies to ensure they fit with today’s economic landscape. Adjust your budget to handle new limits and check out new funding options to keep your operations afloat.
Review your supplies, cooking equipment, and all relevant food inventory so that you’re ready to go at full capacity. Make sure you’re compliant with all the laws and regulations in your local jurisdiction.
Next, you need to put together a solid restaurant marketing plan focused on promotions that pack a punch and get people talking. If you think a new look or a shift in how you position your restaurant could help, consider rebranding. This could mean sprucing up your logo, shaking up your menu, or giving your restaurant’s interior a whole new vibe to boost the guest experience.
3. Communicate with Staff, Stakeholders & Authorities
The next thing is vividly communicating your plans to your stakeholders. If the closure involved regulatory issues, notify the relevant authorities, like the local health department, about your compliance and readiness. Also, reconnect with your suppliers to ensure that your supply chain is secure; you may need to renegotiate terms to align with your current needs.
Don’t forget to reach out to your former restaurant staff as well. Keep them in the loop about the reopening and any changes in operational practices. Providing the necessary training will help everyone adjust and ensure that your team is prepared to provide the best service. Clear and open communication with these key players will help smooth your path to a successful relaunch.
4. Revamp Your Menu and Services
Give your menu and services a fresh look. Think about updating your offer based on your customer data. Review how cost-effective each item is, and the latest trends in the restaurant industry.
Adding a digital restaurant menu can help you meet the current restaurant industry standards, but don’t forget to also offer disposable paper menus for those who prefer them.
Finally, consider reviewing your food ordering system. Make sure the ordering and POS systems are up to date and can handle your orders both inside the dining room and online.
5. Focus on Health and Safety Standards
Ensure your establishment meets all health and safety regulations. Pay extra attention to areas like direct contact, gas line safety, and indoor dining protocols. Amping up your cleaning schedule with enhanced protocols is also a smart move.
When promoting these upgrades, mention how you’re using disposable menus and maintaining limited capacity to minimize close contact among guests. These efforts not only demonstrate your dedication to safety but also make your restaurant a top choice for diners seeking a secure dining experience.
6. Market Your Reopening
When marketing your reopening, it’s important to make the most of your social media and online presence. Restaurant social media marketing is generally the way to go. Update your website and social media profiles, including creating a Facebook event for the reopening.
Regularly post updates about the improvements you’ve made and the steps you’re taking to ensure a safe environment, such as new display cases or other enhancements.
7. Host a Reopening Event
Unless you feel absolutely certain, consider starting with a soft opening before launching a huge opening party. Many restaurants use this preliminary event to help collect valuable feedback and tweak any final details before the main opening event.
Following that, plan a grand reopening event to really stir up excitement. Make your restaurant reopening announcement something people can’t ignore by offering special deals or giving a sneak peek of new menu items. This celebration is not just about reopening doors but reinvigorating interest in your dining experience.
Consider adding fun themes, live entertainment, or special menu items that spotlight the new changes. Follow the link for plenty of great restaurant grand opening ideas.
Finally, make sure to promote your event through all available channels. Craft a compelling restaurant opening announcement sample and spread it through social media and local press. If you’re not sure where to start, check out these restaurant promotion ideas.
8. Monitor Feedback and Adjust Accordingly
Actively seeking and monitoring customer feedback allows you to quickly identify and address any issues or areas for improvement. Customers often provide insights that could significantly enhance your service and dining experience, which is something you should always strive for. If you’re serious about feedback and data, consider using restaurant analytics.
Key Takeaways
- Pinpoint and address the root causes of the previous closure, whether they are related to health code violations, financial issues, or operational challenges.
- Revise your restaurant business plan to align with current market conditions.
- Notify relevant authorities, contact stakeholders, reestablish supplier relationships, and keep former staff informed about reopening plans.
- Adjust your menu based on customer feedback and market trends. Introduce a digital menu and implement a food ordering system to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Comply with all health and safety regulations, implement enhanced cleaning protocols, and ensure measures like limited capacity and disposable menus are in place to maintain safety.
- Utilize social media, community engagement, and press releases to promote your reopening. Create exciting events and special promotions to draw attention.
- Start with a soft opening to gather feedback and make adjustments. Then, host a grand reopening to generate excitement and show off new menu items and upgrades.
- Actively seek customer feedback and remain flexible to make continuous improvements in operations, menu, and marketing, ensuring adherence to reopening guidelines and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to reopen a restaurant after COVID?
Reopening a restaurant post-COVID involves adapting to new safety protocols and customer expectations. Here are the essential steps for a successful reopening:
- Stay updated with health guidelines: Regularly check local and national health regulations related to restaurant operations, including capacity limits and safety requirements.
- Enhance safety measures: Implement rigorous cleaning procedures, ensure social distancing between tables, and improve ventilation. Train staff in these new protocols and consider health screenings before shifts.
- Adjust your business model: Expand digital and contactless services such as online ordering, QR code menus, and contactless payment. Enhance takeout and delivery options, and, if possible, increase outdoor seating to accommodate more guests safely.
- Communicate with customers: Use social media, your website, and email to inform customers about your reopening, the safety measures in place, and any changes to services or operating hours.
- Financial planning: Reevaluate your financial strategy considering potential changes in customer flow and increased costs due to new health measures. Explore government relief programs to aid financial recovery.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a smooth and successful reopening of your restaurant in a post-COVID world.
