The coronavirus pandemic has been hard on everyone, but perhaps no industry has suffered more than the restaurant industry. Eateries have had to make big adjustments in order to stay afloat, and if you’re one of those organic food places that just desperately wants to keep the lights on you may have to make some changes as well. Fortunately, there are some things that a restaurant can do to “rebrand” and get its customers to come back, even if indoor dining is not allowed in your region just yet.

Introduce a Takeout Menu

If your restaurant didn’t do takeout before, now’s a great time to give it a try. Your customers will love the chance to get the food they love, even if sit-down dining isn’t currently allowed in your area. A takeout menu does have to be carefully crafted though.

Think about what items are going to be popular enough and which items have overlapping ingredients, so that you don’t have to keep anything on hand that might end up expiring. Also, think about what items might travel well. You don’t want people to feel unsatisfied with the dish they ordered once they get home. Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit with your offerings and find your stride.

Introduce Curbside Pickup

Once you have that streamlined takeout menu ready to go, set up a curbside pickup program. This is a convenient and safe way to get food to customers. It might take a little bit to iron everything out and get your program running smoothly, but making this effort could help you attract diners you might not have before. It’s also a great way to keep serving customers who have been fans of your organic restaurant all along.

Reach Out to Customers

These steps are for naught if your customers don’t know about them! Reach out to them through multiple channels. If you have a following on social media, use that. If you reach customers through the mail or their email, use that. You can even offer a discount for orders to entice people back. Many times a potential diner who is on the fence about ordering out can be swayed by a coupon code.

Try Out Some New Things

This is an odd time, but it could be a fruitful time for your restaurant and your kitchen. Take this opportunity to try out some new dishes and see how they work out. You’re already working on a smaller scale, so now could be the time to experiment if your finances allow.

Are there any dishes you’ve wanted to introduce, but didn’t? Have any ideas for new culinary creations resting in the back of your head? Introduce some new items. If you do it on a temporary basis and make it a special, tell your customers about it. They might be particularly interested in an item if they think it will only be around for a limited time.

For More Pandemic Tips

If you’re trying to learn more about what you and your restaurant can do to adapt in these trying times, visit the Organic Restaurants website and blog. You’ll find plenty of tips about dealing with this rapidly evolving landscape.