Corona crisis: 7 immediate measures for the continued existence of your restaurant

3/24/2020

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Catering is one of the industries hit hardest by the corona crisis.

Restaurateurs are afraid for their company and do not know how to overcome this crisis. It seems hopeless right now, because many are about days and not weeks anymore.

However, there are ways you can continue to generate revenue and prevent the worst.

We are currently in constant contact with our large customer base of restaurateurs, help with advice and assistance and receive important information on strategies that ensure the survival of restaurateurs right now.

In this article, we will show you the 5 best ways our customers can continue to operate their business despite Corona.

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Government aid for restaurateurs

The second lockdown is also hitting the catering industry hard. Owners must close their stores again for at least four weeks. This time, the state promises rapid, unbureaucratic and massive aid. Companies that have to close their business due to the lockdown and have up to 50 employees will be reimbursed 75% of their turnover. The basis for calculation here is the turnover generated in November 2019. On the platform Applications can be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Energy and Economics.

Socialwave Corona emergency aid

However, before you can start adapting your business to the current crisis situation, we want to assure you that Socialwave will continue to support its customers during this difficult time.

With the features included in the Socialwave WLAN Marketing Package, you can let all your previous guests know that your business is still functioning despite the crisis.

Normally, these features are not available to all Socialwave customers, but are part of the premium package. However, we are also currently making these functions available to you free of charge. Please contact us about this.

With us, you can quickly reach your previous guests and make them aware of their delivery service or readiness to pick them up:

via email
via SMS

You can see a successful example from one of our customers here:

Dean&David Flyer — Dean&David uses the features of Socialwave

‍+49 89 2154 6472

7 measures that our catering customers are already successfully implementing due to Corona

The catering strategies have been tried and tested in practice during the corona crisis and are already being implemented by many of our customers.

1. Prepare food for pick up

Many restaurants were forced to close due to corona virus protection regulations. But if no guests can eat in your restaurant, you can still continue your business.

Despite Corona, you can still prepare and prepare food in the restaurant/restaurant and then make it available for collection. This avoids contact with other people and at the same time gives you an opportunity to earn income again.

The advantage: Food, personnel and equipment can continue to be used wisely and the customer can continue to eat their favorite dish.

Spare no effort and signal to passers-by with posters or stickers on the window that you are still open and are offering pickup. Yes, there are fewer people on the street, but word will get around among your regular customers and they will be happy to support you.

2. Deliver food yourself

If you have the necessary funds (car/cargo bike), it can be financially worthwhile to sell your food yourself.

Plus it opens an additional line of business that allows you to make a profit in the future as well. All you need is a mobile base, such as a car or a scooter. Traffic shouldn't be a problem at the moment anyway.

The temporary conversion to a delivery service is also uncomplicated, as you don't need an additional concession to deliver food in most federal states — just a business license, which you should already have anyway. Delivery men also do not need a concession.

The only thing you need to pay attention to is hygiene regulations, some of which were tightened during the corona crisis. To do this, you should comply with the regulations regarding rooms, the self-control system (HACCP) and personnel training (§4 LMHV training).

Customers currently prefer electronic payment options — e.g. by credit card, EC card or PayPal. Many cards already have the option to make contactless payments. Given the current risk of infection, it is recommended to refrain from using cash.

If you can't switch to mobile card payments so quickly, you can of course continue to have cash payments.

In addition, you should make sure that food that is delivered or picked up is only taxed at 7%. When creating your receipt, make sure that this information is correct.

3. Registration with third-party suppliers

Another option is a listing on Lieferando or similar apps.

Lieferando, for example, is almost the sole market leader in Europe in the delivery service sector. Lieferando offers many advantages, such as easy delivery of food. Nevertheless, the service is associated with relatively high costs in the form of a percentage commission. However, weigh up the pros and cons for your restaurant during the current corona crisis.

What are your benefits?

Lieferando uses its own drivers to pick up the food and deliver it to the customer. That means all you have to worry about is preparing it. The customer usually orders via app or online, and you receive a notification via a receipt system. The customer can decide whether they want to pick up the food themselves or have it delivered.

What are your drawbacks?

Lieferando expects a commission for every order placement. According to our latest figures, this was 15% (without guarantee) per order and the set-up may take a few days.

4. Change company name on Google My Business and make customers aware of pick-up/delivery service

In the midst of the corona crisis, Google is also doing everything it can to help companies survive it.

For this purpose, a new feature was developed for Google My Business. This allows the owners of a store to comment on current measures in the Google name of their company, i.e. to add a note to the business name about the delivery or collection option.

In the following, we will show you how you can do this.

First, you need to get into your Google My Business Log in your profile and select the “Info” menu item. You received the login details for Google My Business yourself when you created your profile.

Then edit the name of your company.

And finally, add a reference to the delivery or collection option to the name. Here you can find phrases such as”Currently delivery/collection possible“use.

Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity because people still want good food and are looking online for restaurants that are still open now.

5. Emergency corona aid for gastronomy in Bavaria — DEHOGA/Lokalhelden

DEHOGA Bayern offers quick immediate aid for gastronomy in the Free State.

On the Bavaria-wide Internet portal”Lokalhelden“you can register and be activated. There, guests are made aware that you are still in business delivering food or that guests can pick up food.

This option is a quick answer to the corona crisis in the catering industry.

6. Apply for government aid for restaurants or seek aid from countries

Fortunately, the federal and state governments are responding comprehensively to the Corona catering crisis.

For example, there are numerous subsidies, loans and emergency aid for restaurateurs. A constantly updated overview, as well as the latest developments regarding corona, can be found in our article about State aid in the event of corona.

7. Use new voucher initiatives for the corona crisis

More and more providers are finding urgently needed solutions for restaurateurs.

You can register your restaurant with so-called voucher initiatives. Customers can then buy a voucher for your restaurant on the corresponding website.

The effect is extremely simple: You get NOW Existentially important sales and can continue running your company and your customers can redeem the voucher when the crisis is over.

The following services already exist:

Conclusion — Corona crisis in gastronomy

In this article, we have shown you 7 successful crisis measures taken by our customers, which will enable you to continue your business even in times of the corona crisis.

On the one hand, you can offer your food to be picked up. You can also try to deliver yourself or register with a third party provider such as Lieferando.

There is also the project”SMEs vs. corona“, which resulted from the federal government's hackathon. On this webpage You can read about numerous ideas, resources and sources of funding. These tips are kept up to date and always include instructions and additional information.

All these options allow you to continue your business and remain successful as a restaurateur. For yourself and your business, you need to consider which path is right for you.

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