Having a restaurant could have been the dream for you, however, with lockdown and the struggles many businesses face, you may not have been able to trade and open as usual. But with things starting to ease off, your restaurant may start to get the go ahead. So what makes a successful restaurant and how will you be able to make yours thrive? It isn’t just the food that can make it a success, or contracts to ensure equipment is kept up to date such as a commercial refrigeration repair service. With that in mind, here are some of the other things to think about.   

The staff can make it

While you need to make sure that you know about the new tip rule, as well as anything else that affects your staff and how your restaurant operates, it is important now more than ever that your staff understand the new guidelines and restrictions that have been set and put in place. It is up to them to make your customers feel welcome and a warm friendly smile is just the start. Dining in restaurants will be a little different in the future and for some time, so your staff can be the one link to make things feel bearable and create a friendly environment. They need to be knowledgeable on menus, dietary requirements, specific ingredients, and also the new guidelines so that anyone entering your restaurant establishment in the future feels at ease and happy to eat there. It might be a good time to take this opportunity to train any staff you currently have, and ensure that everyone is on the same wavelength as you so that your restaurant can continue to be a success in the future.

The decor 

Another thing you can start to work on right now and what can help a restaurant to be successful is the interior decor and also more importantly right now the outside space. Any bar area that you have could be revamped with things like zinc worktops, and spaced out with specific stools so that you can adhere to social distancing guidelines as things start to ease. You might also want to think about outside furniture and spacing, and the environment that you have such as perhaps planting flowers or making the area a friendly environment to be in. Lighting, quick ornaments, different pictures, small interior touches can go a long way to helping create ambiance. Even things like candles could make a big difference. 

Being proactive on social media

Finally, now more than ever people are looking online, at websites and social media, so it may be time to try and increase your following and reach on these platforms. It could be that you share your journey for reopening, the dishes you are going to serve and the drinks you will have available. Answering messages, delivering consistent content and engaging online are just some of the ways that you can organically build your audience to help you become more visible online. This could also work in your favour for when things reopen as you will be able to take bookings and provide information via your active social channels. 

Let’s hope these things help you to get your restaurant business in order and for you to thrive in the future.