TECH: 4 Restaurant Technologies Proven to Improve Efficiency
Restaurant owners shouldn’t resent technology or be overwhelmed by it; instead they should utilize it to improve and grow their business. This is true whether you’re thinking of giving your existing restaurant a face-lift or you’re thinking of starting a new restaurant from scratch. It is paramount for restaurateurs to have efficiency at the forefront of their thoughts when considering upgrading their gear. So which technologies can you invest in to improve your restaurant’s efficiency?
DID YOU KNOWS…
We’re #1! Ugh…
As of Thursday, March 26, the number of cases had reached 83,836 according to the Johns Hopkins University, overtaking China which has a total of 81,782 cases. As this chart shows, it took the U.S. less than one month to go from 74 confirmed cases on March 1 to more than 80,000 on Thursday. While the steep increase in cases over the past few days can partly be attributed to extended testing capacities, it also illustrates the threat posed by a virus that’s spreading exponentially.
Unemployment is (Literally) Off the Charts
The rapid (albeit expected) rise in unemployment was driven by the measures taken to contain the COVID-19 epidemic in the United States, which has led to widespread closures of bars, restaurants and movie theaters as well as halting most travel, shocking the transport and hospitality industries to the core. "Nearly every state providing comments cited the COVID-19 virus impacts," the DOL wrote in its official press release. "States continued to cite services industries broadly, particularly accommodation and food services. Additional industries heavily cited for the increases included the health care and social assistance, arts, entertainment and recreation, transportation and warehousing, and manufacturing industries."
European Soccer Leagues Unfinished Business
Since the coronavirus outbreak took hold in Europe, professional sport has ground to a halt with all major competitions either postponed or cancelled completely. In soccer, the “big five” leagues have been put on hold until April 2 at the earliest, leaving a whole load of sporting questions unanswered.
Coronacrisis: Day 18
HELPING OUR OWN
Why it matters to you: Operators are stepping up in various ways to help their staff endure
These are dark times, but sometimes a light will shine even in the most harrowing moments. For instance, just look around at the number of restaurant operators that were forced to lay-off staff immediately when the shutdown was implemented in mid-March who are running programs to raise money for their displaced staff.
We need look no further than Suzanne Perry of Datz in Tampa. Perry has chosen to sell an incredibly rare bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Whiskey that is valued at $20,000 to help care for her staff during the shutdown. But it’s not just independent operators that are sacrificing for their employees. The CEO of Texas Roadhouse has given up his salary to help pay front line employees during the outbreak. These types of personal sacrifice remind us that our humanity matters in times of crisis.
Another truly amazing example is the Neighborhood Group of Companies that is currently selling gift cards where 100% of the sales proceeds will go to their terminated staff. The cards are redeemable as soon as the restaurant returns to service, which messages they are fighting for their staff and planning on being there when things get better. If you are a regular somewhere and receive this offer it’s a compelling story where your charitable contribution can actually be paid back at the end of this disaster.
Now there’s lots of implications to how these must be presented and managed. For example, if you have made clear that this money is going to your staff or any other purpose, you must do exactly that with the money. Furthermore, if you are including your staff as beneficiaries then involve them in the distribution of the money. Let them decide as a group how to receive it and document everything.
It’s an imperfect solution in an imperfect situation, but clearly the good will you gain by doing the “right” thing will have value when this is over…and it will end, just not as quickly as any of us would prefer. Until then, thank you to all of the heroes helping their staff when they themselves are at risk. It’s the best of industry, to be sure.
[Source: FSR Magazine]
