In our post pandemic world, great food, excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere are no longer enough to define good hospitality. Restaurants’ brand identities now also rely upon tangible and visible sanitization efforts.
While consumers are yearning to return to in-restaurant dining, they’ll also be paying attention to safety. They want to see their old favorites and new restaurant options adopting the “new normal” of sanitization. And, consumers won’t be alone. Employees also want confidence in their surroundings.
From the back of the house to the front, operators need to create a sense of well-being through actions and words. The five key procedures outlined by the CDC in the below graphic (also a downloadable PDF for in-restaurant display) will help keep customers and associates safe.
To be truly effective in sanitization efforts, we’ve got to both “walk the walk” and “talk the talk,” making employee training and guest communication essential.
Create the Culture
Employee culture is determined by management and ownership. Begin by establishing a mission and values associated with your sanitization efforts and train staff accordingly.
Include an owner letter in employee handbook
Make it a significant part of onboarding process
Hold daily conversations about sanitization and safety
Ensure staff can speak knowledgeably about efforts
Commit to ongoing training and continual improvement/enhancement
Communicate to Customers
When guests are making their dining decisions, they are talking to friends and looking online at photos, reviews, websites, menus, etc. These provide you with opportunities to communicate your sanitization practices.
Post signage in-restaurant and then include photos of the signage online
Weave in social posts featuring sanitization best practices, including photos of employees and guests showing sanitization practices in effect
Include a sanitization mission statement on your website
Consider, at least initially, spotlighting your efforts in advertising
The goal is for guests to leave dining establishments with a sense of well-being, eager to share their experience with others. One positive experience will lead to another, encouraging repeat business and helping the restaurant industry recover.
For all of your sanitization needs from brands including SmartChoice, ProPower, ProClean and ProSystem, contact your Shamrock Foods Sales Representative.
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