What are some of the best innovations the food service sector has developed in response to the coronavirus pandemic?
Most of the response has been aimed at assuaging the public’s fear. Some of it has been comical, some practical.

The vast majority of operators initially adhered to local guidelines restricting occupancies by arbitrary percentages; many have now, at this later stage of the pandemic, been a little more “flexible” in their approach.
PPE’s such as face masks & shields, plexiglass barriers at interaction points, increased spacings between seated patrons, and the conspicuously visible cleaning of surfaces and ubiquitous signage are all common. Hand sanitizer stations proliferate.

Some QSR operators initially (and some permanently) restricted access to restrooms and removed seating. Many facilities reduced menu offerings, eliminated physical menus, or initiated single-use menus.
Other single-use service items of tableware (to the consternation of sustainability efforts) were implemented of reintroduced. We are currently seeing a backlash, whereby limited service operations are experimenting with permanent wares, especially refillable coffee cups.

With its perception of a lower probability of viral transmission, outdoor dining has been a salvation for many independents. Now the weather-sensitive limit of this safety-valve is rearing its head as we approach colder months.
Curbside pickup (also known as “curbside delivery”), home delivery (by both the operator’s staff as well as third parties), take-out only, and ghost-kitchens (completely divorced from any hint of on-premise dining) have now eclipsed traditional restaurant FOH/BOH (front of the house-back of the house) models.

Technology has emerged as a facilitator for much of the change. QR codes substitute for menus on tables, mobile ordering apps abound, and monitoring software has enabled larger restaurateurs to eke out a profit by controlling costs and more importantly, ensuring public safety.


REGISTER BELOW:
Steam Session #1 11/10/2020 @3:00PM Eastern
Steam Session #2 11/12/2020 @11:00AM Eastern
https://www.garproducts.com/products/outdoor![]() Make sure your outdoor seating area or patio is ready! The following outdoor furniture is in-stock and ready to ship. Call factory to confirm available quantity and to order. ![]() ![]() ![]() Coffee Resin StrandsCape Side Coffee Resin StrandsVineyard Arm Safari Brown Resin ![]() ![]() ![]() Charcoal & Latte Rope WeaveDune Side Latte Rope Weave Autumn Bark WickerKnot Side Latte & Orange Rope Weave ![]() ![]() Safari Brown Resin/Black Frame Synthetic Teak/Silver FrameBayhead Side Safari Brown Resin/Blk or Slv Frame Perf. Weave Black/Blk or Slv Frame |

