Suffice to say that COVID-19 has done a number on the United States’ economy. With the economy on the verge of another historic collapse, many business owners now find themselves preparing for the worst. Some companies have had to change their entire business model and others have had to close down altogether.
Perhaps no industry has been hit harder than the restaurant industry. With the Coronavirus putting the squeeze on small businesses across the country, many restaurateurs are deciding to relocate in search of greener pastures.
Should you move your restaurant?
One of the things that many restaurants are doing to keep from having to close is relocating. Some restaurateurs have had to choose between relocating and closing down shop.
Relocating isn’t a magic pill that saves restaurants from disaster, but it could be the biggest factor in helping to save your business. If your restaurant was already filling up to capacity before the pandemic, then now is a great time to move into a larger space.
Moving your restaurant to a larger vicinity will allow you to host more guests while still observing social distancing regulations. Even when things get back to normal, having more space will allow you to serve more guests and increase your revenue.
Where should you go?
One place that many businesses have moved as a result of the Coronavirus is online. That’s right, the internet. You may be thinking that you can’t move your restaurant online, but you’re wrong. With food delivery services like GrubHub and Uber Eats, you can get in on the share-economy, eCommerce money train.
If you’re thinking more along the lines of getting out of town, then you should aim for places that have more lax social distancing regulations. Beware, you are putting your own health and that of your customers at risk by not following social distancing suggestions, so you should aim for a larger space where you can place your tables farther apart. This encourages business sustainability.
If you decide to move to a different physical location, then you need to make arrangements for storage needs. There are always some things that you don’t want to get rid of and won’t fit into the new place when you relocate, so you might as well plan for it. If you’re having trouble finding the best storage facility for your storage needs, then Google climate controlled storage near me, and you’ll get a list of the most trusted storage facilities in your area. You’ll likely want to look for a self-storage unit with 24-hour access and added amenities. Easy access means you can move your valuable items at any time of year. Look into the different storage unit sizes as well in case you need extra space.
What will you need to take with you?
When you move your restaurant to a new location, it would be in your best interest to pick a place that previously served as a restaurant. The more commercial kitchen equipment your new vicinity already has, then the less you’ll have to buy.
If you do need to replace some of your kitchen appliances, then make sure you choose high-quality appliances so you can give your customers high-quality cuisine. Choosing a True commercial refrigerator or oven versus a generic brand could mean the difference between having appliances that will last a lifetime and having appliances that will soon need replacing.
What can you do to protect patrons?
Whether or not you decide to relocate, it’s a must that you put measures in place to keep your eatery from becoming a hotbed for the Coronavirus. If your restaurant becomes more known for spreading COVID than for its food, then you’ll lose a lot of business.
It’s crucial that you pay close attention to CDC social distancing guidelines and modify your business model accordingly. Make sure your seating arrangements allow for social distancing, and you should also offer masks and hand sanitizer to your guests as a precaution. Better safe than sorry.
