How restaurants might reopen

[Sea Six]

I'm glad I'm not a young guy trying to meet a new girlfriend. Can't even shake hands!

 

[geekette]

I work in food distribution and there is no shortage with any of our food supply. All items are fully stocked. Business is down because restaurants either closed or can only do takeout/deliveries. There is plenty of inventory.

There has been some supply shortages in retail packaging because about have of the food supply is packaged that way for the general public. The rest is packaged for distribution to restaurants.

We have actually been selling some of our retail labeled products to retail stores across the whole country. The FDA and USDA have done some relaxing of some of the labeling restrictions because of some of the shortages on the retail side. These relaxing of labeling restrictions are only temporary though.

I understand there is not a food shortage, but, reading what the restaurant guys were saying, it is not as easy as previously. Sysco, for example, is way down on movement. It's distribution. It's what They said, people running restaurants. Not me.

 

[slip]

I understand there is not a food shortage, but, reading what the restaurant guys were saying, it is not as easy as previously. Sysco, for example, is way down on movement. It's distribution. It's what They said, people running restaurants. Not me.

You may know but Sysco is where I work.

I don’t understand what restaurant guys were saying then. We have all the products we had before the crisis. All they have to do is order it.

I know we are helping many streamline their operations and help making them more profitable. Maybe that is what they are referring to?

 

[Brett]

I'm glad I'm not a young guy trying to meet a new girlfriend. Can't even shake hands!

yes, meeting people and dating during the pandemic could be tough

 

[geekette]

You may know but Sysco is where I work.

I don’t understand what restaurant guys were saying then. We have all the products we had before the crisis. All they have to do is order it.

I know we are helping many streamline their operations and help making them more profitable. Maybe that is what they are referring to?

I did not know you work for Sysco! I always thought it was one of my smarter investments. Others are saying they are screwed, but I didn't think so. Adapt and keep rolling. I never had concerns about lack of food, only hoarders!! I would guess all the meat is gone from my local grocer, people buying up more as each plant closes.

So, the piece I read was out of Georgia, discussing possibility of re-opening. I'd like to say Atlanta, but I honestly only remember one chef was Atlanta. These were small indies. I don't quite remember where I read it, because it was an article linked from another I was reading.

I had not seen that issue raised elsewhere. Maybe they were out of TP in the Great Freak Out??

By streamline, do you mean moving to more JIT or multi-location chainish orders?

Thank you for keeping America's goods rolling.

 

[geekette]

yes, meeting people and dating during the pandemic could be tough

Don't most people just swipe now? I figured people were having social media relations these days, even pre-pandemic. I dunno, I'm old, I figured there was an app for that.

 

[WVBaker]

Don't most people just swipe now? I figured people were having social media relations these days, even pre-pandemic. I dunno, I'm old, I figured there was an app for that.

At least he/she didn't say "shake hands" as Sea Six said they can't do.

 

[WVBaker]

yes, meeting people and dating during the pandemic could be tough

Or easier as it perhaps eliminates some of the competition.

 

[geekette]

Or easier as it perhaps eliminates some of the competition.

Yeah, soon there will be eImmunity, the site for card-carrying immune folks looking to meet other immune singles....

 

[Maple_Leaf]

I'm beginning to think that most existing sit-down restaurants will just close for good. Totally new models for sit-down dining will be required, and few of the existing restaurants will be able to think outside the box enough to survive. It may be an opportunity for young creative people to start up a restaurant without much competition from established restaurants by coming up with innovative ways to serve diners profitably with reduced risk.

 

[slip]

I did not know you work for Sysco! I always thought it was one of my smarter investments. Others are saying they are screwed, but I didn't think so. Adapt and keep rolling. I never had concerns about lack of food, only hoarders!! I would guess all the meat is gone from my local grocer, people buying up more as each plant closes.

So, the piece I read was out of Georgia, discussing possibility of re-opening. I'd like to say Atlanta, but I honestly only remember one chef was Atlanta. These were small indies. I don't quite remember where I read it, because it was an article linked from another I was reading.

I had not seen that issue raised elsewhere. Maybe they were out of TP in the Great Freak Out??

By streamline, do you mean moving to more JIT or multi-location chainish orders?

Thank you for keeping America's goods rolling.

More like streamlining the menus so they don’t have too much costs. We help out many customers with their menus.

We are adapting and will be very strong when things open back up. So we will be much stronger than our competition.

 

[Passepartout]

Once again, it's going to be a 'survival of the fittest' that will survive the economic restart. Those that can adapt, those that can expand into larger -particularly outdoor spaces may be first able to hold grouping to a minimum. We will likely see more 'order at the counter, then pick up your order to a well spaced table' might be an early restaurant dine-in option. Combined with carry-out and delivery, this would increase their sales and bottom line.

Smaller eateries and table service will not be as adaptable to the 'new normal'. At least until treatment and/or vaccine/herd immunity make closeness acceptable again.

JIm

 

[Old Hickory]

I'm glad I'm not a young guy trying to meet a new girlfriend. Can't even shake hands!

Or an old guy trying to meet an old girlfriend. Can't even share a milkshake!

 

[PigsDad]

The other thing about volume, we won’t be able to go off of their sales before the virus. If they are making it now and still being able to stay afloat with only takeout/ delivery and in house dining would be more sales.

Yes, it would be more sales, but starting up the in house dining also would require more staff and their associated costs. With take out only, most restaurants I have picked up from are running a very lean staff -- usually one front-end person and maybe a couple of cooks. It will be interesting to see if partially opening the dining areas would actually produce more profit.

Kurt

 

[Old Hickory]

Humans are communal people. We will get back together to share meals in close spaces. The healthy will lead. Come back when you are comfortable.

 

[bbodb1]

I'm glad I'm not a young guy trying to meet a new girlfriend. Can't even shake hands!

...but you can play with the elbows.......

 

[caribbeanqueen]

We own a bowling alley with a big coffee shop and lounge where you can order steak, seafood, chops, etc.
We did not open for take out because it costs us about 2k just to open the door.
Businesses doing take out are all losing money, even pizza places.
Trust me take out is not worth it. On top kf this you throw away food not used
Opening at 50% is still not going to keep businesses afloat. None of the above scenarios will work I feel for anyone who owns a restaurant. Biggest industry besides travel taking a hit. Unless restaurants can open at normal capacity they will have a tough time not losing their business.
Our governor talked about taking every customers temperature before they enter the building. Yes she said that.
Our business is our retirement. Very scary for us. People who do not own a business dont get it.
.

 

[MrockStar]

Food trucks Maybee?

 

[PigsDad]

Food trucks Maybee?

Food trucks around here have continued to operate normally.

Kurt

 

[Maple_Leaf]

Food trucks around here have continued to operate normally.

Kurt

Not here. Their business has dried up. Everyone is working from home and there are no public gatherings greater than five people. To serve the customers in one Toronto office building with a food truck you now have to drive to hundreds of private residences. Ain't happening.

After reopening, perhaps food trucks will be the most cost effective way to run a lunch business? City government however is captured by the restaurant lobby so there are all kinds of artificial barriers to entry erected to prevent new food trucks. But if the restaurants are all out of business who will pay off the politicians to keep out new food trucks?

 

[beejaybee]

Food trucks Maybee?

Food trucks around here have continued to operate normally.

Kurt

Ohio is allowing food trucks at interstate rest stops. Turnpike service areas have continued to operate as take-out only. We've not ventured far enough from home to check things out ourselves.

 

[geekette]

Yes, it would be more sales, but starting up the in house dining also would require more staff and their associated costs. With take out only, most restaurants I have picked up from are running a very lean staff -- usually one front-end person and maybe a couple of cooks. It will be interesting to see if partially opening the dining areas would actually produce more profit.

Kurt

inside eating also brings more sanitizing. every single time you turn a table. the disposable menus, etc.

 

[geekette]

Ohio is allowing food trucks at interstate rest stops. Turnpike service areas have continued to operate as take-out only. We've not ventured far enough from home to check things out ourselves.

Indiana did this, too. It became too difficult for truckers to find food! The idea that rest stops were closing was ... to me.... unthinkable! I get it, nobody wants to clean them, but, there was already maintenance/cleaning, and anybody using a public restroom knows it is a public restroom. WASH YOUR HANDS.

My brother is now a trucker, but has been everywhere but back around here for many weeks. He said that some fast food places would accomodate walk up since he cannot drive through. some are no-go on that. obviously. I wondered how many food trucks did apply in Indiana. They are limited to 7a-7p.

we do big food truck business here. One place I worked would arrange for 1-3 every Friday. It was a great idea, getting their product in front of people that maybe never heard of them.

 

[SteelerGal]

Food trucks are still operating here. They post locations and times. Now you can order in advance as well. There are even some who are using the Food delivery apps.

 

[Cornell]

I think restaurants are going to be like flying was after 9-11. There will be trepidation and a certain segment will be "all in" at the beginning . Eventually the public's confidence will grow and business will climb. I personally will be the first one in the door!