Article

Adapting to the new normal: Vendors offer free services to restaurant operators

Restaurant operators are scurrying to completely revamp operations to meet the needs of a more or less "locked-in" customer through delivery, drive-thru and increased health and safety demands, so vendors to the industry are stepping up with free service offers.

Restaurant operators are getting some free help from their vendors in adjusting to the new COVID-19-induced normal in operations (photo: iStock).

March 19, 2020 by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

In an effort to help restaurants comply with COVID-19 restrictions, numerous restaurant industry vendors are offering free guidance and services to help operators make the significant operational transition to all off-site foodservice  Friday, we'll feature some of the expert advice marketers are recommending to help brands build consumer connections and grow orders, even in these difficult times. Today, however, we want to focus free services vendors are extending to help restaurateurs adapt to the many changes. 

For instance, Provo, Utah-based social media marketing agency is even giving free access to operators for a course on strengthening a brand's digital presence by essentially producing their own videos. The class is offered via the Harmon Brothers' online learning platform, which a news release said included everything operators and restaurant marketers need to go from a "blank page to a finish script" that's ready to shoot. 

"These are highly uncertain times, especially as information seems to change day by day," Harmon Brothers CEO Benton Crane said in the release. "We wanted to do our part and help provide some sense of relief to teams struggling to navigate the situation.

"Amid the pandemic that is requiring most people to stay at home, companies around the world are being reminded of the importance of having a strong digital presence, and that includes an approach to marketing. We hope the 14-Day Script Writing Challenge (course) can offer an opportunity for teams to level-up on their online efforts so they can come back even stronger." 

The company said the course covers principles and time-tested techniques for novices to put together brand videos, particularly in this time of increasing importance for digital connection with customers. Access to that free offering can be found at  https://hbros.co/covid-relief 

Getting up to 'pandemic-level' speed with online ordering

Pennsylvania-based online ordering provider, Zuppler, is reaching out to help restaurants and caterers get up to speed with online ordering.

Restaurants and caterers that do not have online or Google ordering can get free setup and specialized pricing for services that integrate online ordering menus into their websites. They'll be able to add such services to Google to permit direct ordering with features for contactless delivery and curbside pickup through June 1, the company said. 

"We are all struggling to respond to the worldwide pandemic at work, at home and in our communities," said Zuppler CEO Shiva Srinivasan, in the release. "Over this past weekend we began wondering how we could help ... what could we do to make a difference? 

"It occurred to us that many restaurants and catering companies still do not have online ordering, which is proving to be a crucial tool for food operators to serve their communities. … We felt it was an obligation to help the industry serve their communities and wanted to do our part to make that happen."

The offer is spelled out on the Zuppler Coronavirus Online Ordering Assistance page at https://www.zupplerworks.com/online-food-ordering-system. When necessary, Zuppler said it would also assist current and new clients with modified menus designed to assist the needs of their communities at this time.

Free gift card directory listings … with benefits 

Toast has launched a gift card purchasing listing that will gather funds for struggling restaurant workers, as many brands streamline operations and trim hours. 

The Rally for Restaurants program is a public restaurant directory that diners can search, select a brand and then donate to that brand by buying gift cards. Toast said in an email that it will match up to $250,000 in contributions by giving $1 to its fund to support restaurant workers affected by COVID-19 each time someone shares their contribution on social using #RallyforRestaurants and tagging the restaurant. 

The Rally for Restaurants program is a public restaurant directory that diners can search, select a brand and then donate to that brand by buying gift cards. Toast said in an email that it will match up to $250,000 in contributions by giving $1 to its fund to support restaurant workers affected by COVID-19 each time someone shares their contribution on social using #RallyforRestaurants and tagging the restaurant. 

Free restaurant COVID-19 Hygiene training

On-demand restaurant industry staffing provider, Jitjatjo, is offering its COVID-19 Awareness and Hygiene Training Accreditation program at no charge for their more than 10,000 industry workers. The training program is distributed to their Flex mobile app and educates hospitality workers on how to prevent acquiring and/or transmitting COVID-19.

On completion of the training course, hospitality workers are required to undergo an assessment and only those who achieve 100% are awarded the COVID-19 Trained Accreditation.

"In light of recent and escalating public health concerns, we're focused on preventative measures that keep kitchens open to ensure the community can get access to cooked meals throughout the crisis," said Jitjatjo CEO Tim Chatfield in the release.  More information is available at Jitjatjo.com.

About S.A. Whitehead

---

Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb editor Shelly Whitehead is a former newspaper and TV reporter with an affinity for telling stories about the people and innovative thinking behind great brands.