Adapting to the 'New Normal' -

Shifting your Food Business focus Online

With the lockdowns and restrictions in place, with the increasing number of deaths due to the virus, with news about an economic recession happening - it sure feels like we are on the shoreline and see a tsunami coming.

Embracing it might sound like a stretch, although accepting the situation and adapting to it is the mindset that is required.

For the Restaurant and overall F&B Industry - the focus has to shift online. The focus must shift from in-store consumer experience toan online consumer experience. How is that possible?

1. Social Media & Digital Presence

Yes everyone is posting beautiful pictures of their dishes and menu items on Instagram - and why shouldn’t they? Food images are amongst the top shares on Instagram and other social media platforms.

Although one might have to up their game and start creating unique content. Here are some ideas-

• Share some behind the scenes videos to show how the staff is taking safety measures in the kitchen and how the food is being prepared
• Talk about your brand, your story and even your struggles during this time to connect with your audience and customers
• Go live with recipe tutorials and tips

1. Loyalty Program Strategies for Restaurants

With the whole debate regarding food aggregators / delivery companies vs restaurants - restaurants are trying to attract consumers directly to their website / social media for orders.

Majority of consumers go to the likes of Zomato, Uber Eats, Deliveroo etc due to convenience but another thing that is important to consumers are rewards and benefits.

Starting a loyalty program wherein consumers can earn points with each order, get their 5th meal free or other creative ways to keep them coming back could be effective.

1. Digital Menus

This might sound basic and obvious to many but it is an important point. Having an updated clear and consistent menu across all platforms is key at this point.

Even when consumers do start going down with the ease in restrictions - physical menus are something everyone is going to stay clear of given the hygiene factors.

NutriCal offers an easy ‘Download Personalised PDF Menu’ option wherein restaurateurs can easily publish Dish Name, Description, Price, Calories and a QR Scan Code for more information.

Needless to say, a food menu is the most essential object in any food establishment. Digitized menu supported by QR code is the best strategic solution that will prove to be successful to prevent any contagious virus. The guest scans a QR code on his/ her mobile, sees the menu and places the order via the mobile without downloading any app.

1. Labeling for Food Delivery

March 27, FDA issued a “Guidance for Industry: Temporary Policy Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food during the COVID-19.”

This temporary policy was put into place to show some flexibility with regards to nutrition labelling so restaurants and manufacturers can sell certain packaged food products during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Barring this information - now more than ever we understand that consumers have become extremely aware of what food they consume. As people try to strengthen their immunity to prevent themselves from getting the virus they are looking at the ingredients they consume, their health benefits and overall nutrition information.

Refer to our article on a Guide to creating menus, products and recipes with immunity building products.

Contact our NutriCal team today to see how you can use our solution to not only help consumers with calories, protein, fat, carbs and such data but also provide them with further transparency on the food they eat.

Email us on info@nutrical.co or call / whatsapp us on + 971 52 994 1190 for more information.