Coronavirus Strategic Response For Bakeries & Restaurants

A Strategic Response & Action Plan For Bakeries & Restaurants

Erika Baking Equipment understands the difficulty facing the bakeries and restaurants we serve as the COVID-19, Novel Coronavirus outbreak unfolds. We remain dedicated to addressing your ongoing equipment needs and providing continued support during this uncertain time.

The below includes ideas for helping bakeries mitigate any business losses as patrons begin to venture out less and practice social distancing in wake of this outbreak.

Promote Sanitation Practices

Inform customers of any enhanced sanitation practices your bakery or restaurant has taken. This can provide reassurance to patrons that your business is taking the appropriate measures to ensure that all food is prepared and served in sanitized, disinfected areas.

Promote Staffing Policy Changes

Inform customers of revised staffing policy changes your bakery has made. This includes the implementation of sick policies, emphasizing that employees who display any cold symptoms are not permitted to work. This again provides reassurance to patrons that food is being prepped, handled, and served in sanitary conditions.

Parbaked & Frozen

Encourage clients to purchase more by educating them about how certain products can be frozen and baked or thawed for later consumption.Likewise, consider launching parbaked and frozen products such as bread, cookie dough, etc. for clients to bake and enjoy at home.

Order Ahead

Create an order ahead campaign that encourages patrons to order their goods in advance for easy pickup in a designated area. This helps avoid longer, crowded lines, and patrons will appreciate the added convenience.

Quick Tip – Also, consider taking payment information over the phone for even faster pickup!

Curbside Pickup

You may also want to consider a curbside pickup campaign combined with over the phone payment that can help patrons avoid coming into the store altogether. This will continue to help ease fears while also adding another level of convenience.

Delivery Services

You may also want to consider offering delivery or partnering with a delivery service to help increase business. This will also add an extra level of convenience to patrons.

Quick Tip – Some popular delivery services include: DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates, and UberEats.

Contactless Payment & Credit Cards

Encourage the use of contactless payment where possible, such as Apple Pay and Android Pay. If that’s not feasible, try to encourage credit card usage.

Sanitation Stations

Help ease potential fears by creating a hand sanitizing station that may also include alcohol wipes for nearby surfaces and cell phones. These stations can be strategically located near doors, ordering counters, and/or trash areas.

Creating Awareness & Sharing Your Message

Bakeries should be informing customers throughout their various channels. This includes their website, social media such as Facebook & Instagram, and newsletters or text message (depending on your customer list type and availability).

Messaging should be calming and concise, with an emphasis on convenience and improving their experience. You can then highlight safety precautions your company has made in an effort to reduce the spread and mitigate risk.

Government Response

As always, any strategy your bakery or restaurant implements should be in accordance with guidance and mandates provided by your local, state, and federal government agencies.

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About the Author
Jon Cabral is an experienced marketing professional with experience across multiple sectors including B2B, B2C, healthcare, and hospitality. Jon has a strong track record of providing integrated marketing strategies to a wide array of businesses that focus on delivering meaningful results. Currently, Jon oversees Advertising & Marketing initiatives here at Erika Baking Equipment.

About Erika Baking Equipment
Erika Baking Equipment is an industry-leading bakery equipment distributor. Since 1991, our dedicated and experienced team has provided a customer-centered approach to equipment sales. This includes hands-on and virtual demonstrations, bakers on-staff, technical support, a comprehensive spare parts inventory, and delivering exceptional customer service both during and after the sales process.

For an overview of our current response to the COVID-19, novel coronavirus outbreak, please click here.

Resources

CDC
Cleaning & Disinfection Recommendations
Official government guidance on implementing cleaning and sanitation practices to combat COVID-19.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html

Interim Guidance For Businesses & Employers
Official government guidance on how businesses can navigate the coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

Coronavirus Overview
Official government response to the coronavirus outbreak
http://coronavirus.gov/

BUSINESS
Information on how your business can partner with the delivery services listed below.

DoorDash: https://get.doordash.com/
GrubHub: https://get.grubhub.com/
Postmates: https://postmates.com/
UberEats: https://www.ubereats.com/restaurant/en-US/signup

MARKETING
Google | Business Listing
Google is encouraging businesses to update their listing description with information on how they are adapting to handle the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s worth noting that this is your business listing that appears within Google search results.

Businesses affected by COVID-19: Provide customers with updated info
https://support.google.com/business/answer/9773423

Facebook | Business Resource Hub
Facebook is providing guidance on how businesses can use the platform to spread awareness and build resilience throughout the outbreak. Managing through and building resilience during the COVID-19 outbreak.
https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/resource?notif_id=1583902754965489&notif_t=aymt_ads_notification_tip&ref=notif&fb_dtsg_ag=AQzwoONVYA0MvDtAy7uZRTRsuunRvJRP-sRYkE5PTvqOEg%3AAQzWflM-vg50KJ5wMI3lIzX6JtQXoVfmIq3-IzYSMmpRfg&jazoest=28154

ARTICLES
American Bakers Association | COVID-19 Webinar – 3/16/2020 | 2:00PM EST:
https://www.americanbakers.org/2020/03/coronavirus-resources-covid-19/
https://www.americanbakers.org/2020/03/aba-webinar-coronavirus-what-employers-need-to-know/

Bon Appetit | Restaurants & Coronavirus: How Food Businesses Nationwide Are Handling COVID-19:
https://www.bonappetit.com/story/food-businesses-covid-19

International Dairy Deli Bakery Association | COVID-19 Update:
https://www.iddba.org/about-us/who-we-are/announcements/covid-19-update

National Restaurant Association | Coronavirus Information:
https://restaurant.org/Covid19