As the world struggles with how to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Inland Empire region has been under it’s own restrictions mandating restaurants close their doors to patrons and limiting their distribution to delivery and takeout services.

While the use of online ordering and delivery services has skyrocketed in the past five years, it mostly has been large chain and franchises that have been able to benefit from the popularity of easy order and delivery third-party platforms. Many of the Inland Empire’s local, dine-in restaurants have been forced to set up takeout and delivery services overnight.

Making the Transition to Takeout and Delivery

At IEmenus.com, we are dedicated to helping you through this crisis with tools and information. This concise guide is designed to help your establishment pivot into a restaurant that offers online ordering, delivery, takeout and curbside pickup while abiding to safe, social distancing restrictions.

NOTE: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, human resources, or other professional advice. You are responsible for compliance with laws and regulations and should contact an attorney or advisor to discuss your specific services and responsibilities. Any mention of a service or business is not an endorsement.

Develop a Profitable Menu of Delivery-Friendly Items

Operating under a new service model with reduced staff, it’s critical that you shave down your menu to your most profitable items. All of these items should be “travel ready” for delivery. Not only does this reduce inventory costs, but it also makes things easier for all staff, cooks and customers.

Only choice items will be suitable and remain tasty after traveling in their delivery containers for 20 to 30 minutes.  Make sure that the ingredients you purchase can be used in multiple dishes on your new delivery menu.

Raid the Freezer and Pantry to Create Your Delivery Menu

Take stock of what you have in your freezer and dry storage areas before you finalize your new menu. These are the ingredients you’ll want to use in the dishes you’ll be delivering, especially when considering your fresh produce and variety of meat items.

Using what you’ve got also has the added benefit of exposing your facilities and your employees to less risk with less frequent deliveries to your restaurant or trips to buy ingredients and supplies.

Set Up Your Menu on an Online Ordering Service

If you have never offered delivery before, the fastest and easiest way to get your food delivery service going is to set up online ordering and delivery service on a platform that serves your area.

POPULAR THIRD PARTY FOOD ORDER/DELIVERY PLATFORMS:

DoorDash – You tell them about your restaurant, upload your new delivery menu, they send you the orders, you cook it, and they deliver it.

GRUBHUB – Grow and promote your restaurant by adding your menu to the Grubhub delivery marketplace.

Postmates – You have the option to receive orders through your phone, tablet, or POS, and they have tools to create attractive online menus to attract new customers.

Uber Eats – Fill in a quick form to give us some basic information about your restaurant, such as your location, the type of cuisine you serve, and your estimated number of weekly orders. Once you submit your form, it will be delivered to the Uber Eats team.

Let Customers in Your Area Know You are Delivering

It’s time to shout it from the rooftops… WE NOW DELIVER! The best ways to let your loyal and future customers know that you are delivering is through social media, email announcements, banners or popups on your website, and with signage on your door.

Your messaging should be consistent and branded. That means you’re using the same words in all your announcements and putting your name and logo on everything. Let them know that your dining room is closed for the health of your employees and neighbors, but you are offering a special takeout and/or delivery menu for the next few weeks.

Be sure to encourage customers to use the ordering method that is most beneficial to your business but give them all the delivery and ordering options so you don’t lose any potential sales.

Offer Family and Bulk Orders to Fill Fridges Through Confinement

Many homes that use to rely on restaurant food for their meals are struggling with constant home cooking to feed whole families. Consider adding large-format portions of your best sellers that people can buy and refrigerate or freeze.

Last – But Not Least – Take Care of Your Delivery People

Whether you are using a delivery service or have drivers on staff, prioritize their health and well-being. Educate your staff and customers on contact-less delivery when promoting your delivery service. And encourage healthy tips by reminding everyone that delivery drivers are performing a high-risk service for your customers’ comfort.

Add your business to IEmenus.com.  It’s FREE!

IEmenus.com is the Inland Empire’s online ordering, delivery, takeout and curbside pickup destination for RIVERSIDE and SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

If you would like to add your business listing to our website, please contact us today!