There is no doubt that the restaurant industry is amongst the hardest hit industries due to COVID. These are crazy times, and going into the 9th month of restricted gatherings and operations, restaurants are struggling. Founded on conviviality and people getting together to share a meal or drink, restaurants support everything that COVID is preventing.

In fact, "The restaurant industry expects to lose up to $240 billion by the end of 2020" (National Restaurant Association). Additionally, "over 71% of restaurants had a profit margin under 10% in 2019" (Independent Restaurant Coalition). Given these horrifying statistics, it is evident that many restaurants are being forced to shut.

There is no doubt that the restaurant industry is amongst the hardest hit industries due to COVID. These are crazy times, and going into the 9th month of restricted gatherings and operations, restaurants are struggling. Founded on conviviality and people getting together to share a meal or drink, restaurants support everything that COVID is preventing.

In fact, "The restaurant industry expects to lose up to $240 billion by the end of 2020" (National Restaurant Association). Additionally, "over 71% of restaurants had a profit margin under 10% in 2019" (Independent Restaurant Coalition). Given these horrifying statistics, it is evident that many restaurants are being forced to shut.

It's March of 2020 and the world and economy seem to have done a 180. The Coronavirus has caused overwhelming changes in human to human interaction, including the idea of social distancing. As a result, laws all over the country are being changed. In CT, "eating in" at restaurants has been shutdown with service being restricted to take out and delivery only.

This has left many restaurants vulnerable to profit decline and inventory spoilage. So, what can you do to stay afloat during these times of chaos? The key to success seems to be innovative marketing.

Keep your restaurant top of mind and offer something unusual to attract customers and get their repeat business. Whether in good times or bad, you must first make sure you know your audience; are you serving millennials, the older generation, or families with kids?