Lifesavers for restaurants

How to survive in COVID-19 times

Aurora, CO March 25 2020

Covid-19 is here to stay. It is changing the routines and consumption habits of communities in the
US. We have no idea how long it will last, but I assume life is not going to be like before.
Functioning ordinances for business are just around the corner; states, counties, and cities will
restrict them according to the evolution of the pandemic.

Some restaurants in Denver and the metropolitan area have felt the need to close. Others, in a
more hostile approach, have limited their operation and reduced personnel; only those who
understand the importance of generating operation changes and the need to adapt to the new
consumption habits of a quarantined society are surviving.

The picture is not uncertain for everyone. The famous collaborative economy of Uber Eats,
Grubhub and Doordash is a medicine. It has become an unexpected balm for the sector and a
temporary tranquilizer that moves in its own way their cash registers. These mobile apps are
increasing their activity in the COVID-19 era; they are a respite for mothers and fathers who are
tired of cooking day after day and a relief for restaurant owners.

The increase in requests to access the apps, both from end consumers and from restaurants, have
put to test the ability of these technology companies to supply demand. Others are the challenges
that are arising, such as the lack of personnel to deliver orders and the high percentage that
businesses must pay to the owners of the apps.

However, the restaurateurs fully know their business plan and know that the margin of utility in
the operation ranges from 20% to 30%; for them, agreeing to collaborate with these applications
means 3 things. First: To raise prices to be able work with them because the commission for using
these technologies is also around 30%. Second: Limiting the menu based in the understanding that
not all dishes produce profit once in the cloud. Third: To lower the profit margin to be able to be
competitive among other restaurants that rub shoulders in the platforms.

The medicine is then a contraindicated relief with strong side-effects, but it is not the only remedy.

The true lifeguard

Nowadays it is easy to create virtual restaurants tailored to each need, with the possibility of
including those products that are desired, the versatility of allowing the consumer to choose
between having the food sent to their homes or taking it from the point of sale, and, the
difference of 100% of the utility staying in the business, without paying commissions.

The idea of creating an e-commerce as a distribution channel faces new challenges for a
restaurant. In Folks Marketing we suggest working on the presentation and delivery of the final
product, trying to generate an excellent user experience and guaranteeing that the food always
arrives hot and in good condition. Waiters who lost their jobs can change their task for home
delivery. We are sure they will do it better than the deliverers from Uber Eats, etc. And managers
have an additional task, to communicate to frequent customers the option of ordering online to
enjoy food from the tranquility of their home.

At Folks Marketing we would like to share the success story of our client Taco River, who through
its e-commerce is managing to keep its restaurants healthy. This restaurant chain suffers from the
quarantine like all others. Currently they only provide the take out service at the point of sale but
they are aware of the importance of providing home service. The number of online orders has
increased notably after the arrival of the Covid-19 and local restrictions. Rodrigo Santoyo (General
Manager for Taco River) assures - "The challenge is to guarantee the final consumer that the
whole process: taking orders, preparation and delivery is done under strict rules of health and
hygiene”.

Folks Marketing is a 360 ° communication agency that will help you implement an online
restaurant that is light, easy to navigate and adaptable to any device (Smartphones, tablets or
computers). We can design effective communication strategies aimed to achieve that current
clients of Uber Eats, Grubhub or Doordash prefer to buy in their new e-commerce.

The time has come to innovate and make changes in the business model to withstand the crisis
that the pandemic brings forcing us to change our consumption habits. If you want to venture into
digital marketing and create your restaurant online, you can write to us at: info@folks.marketing
or call us at (720) 550 3772.

Folks Marketingng, we believe and create interactions.