I think if I owned a restaurant, I would start offering curbside service, or like the old drive-in restaurants, where customers are served in their cars, along with home delivery. That could make the difference between going out of business or staying in business, my assumption being that most restaurants won't be able to survive a long shutdown. The profit margins aren't that high, while the overhead continues, particularly where owners are pressured or required to continue paying employees during the shutdown.
I am going to move my restaurant shutdown post to its own thread because I'd like to discuss ways in which restaurants might be able to survive the Wuhan virus. A couple of restaurants here in Millinocket are offering home delivery, where they did not do so before, and I think that's a good idea. Still, it seems that people are going to go stir crazy sheltering in place. I know my wife spends all day driving around looking for stores that are open so that she can spend money on things that we don't need just in order to have something to do. It's not as hard on me because I don't go out as often anyhow but, even so, I liked going out to a restaurant a couple of times a week. My favorite local restaurant just reopened with a new and improved owner a few months ago, and I am afraid he might not survive the virus shutdown. I don't think he is among the restaurants offering delivery, unfortunately; nor does he have sufficient parking to provide car services. Perhaps he's too newly reopened to be able to do enough business with delivery service alone. But for other restaurants that have their own parking spaces, I'm thinking that people might find it fun to have car service, much like most of the drive-in restaurants offered years ago, such as A&W. This type of food service was quite popular in the 1950s and 1960s and, given a sparsity of other options, might be so again. What are the restaurants in your town doing to stay alive during shutdowns?
Other restaurants are opening but limiting the number of guests to whatever the allowable limit is. An ice cream shop in New Hampshire will serve only ten people in the dining area. I don't know if they take reservations or not. I'd think that a really popular restaurant could have a problem with a line.
A popular local radio talk show host asked restaurant owners who are offering takeout to call and plug their business.
All of the eateries in our area have converted to pick up now. Those without drive up windows will bring your order to your car. It's working out quite well. While they don't have the same volume of business they would if they had seating, they are surviving. Also the delivery services are waiving delivery fees for the time being to help with the situation.
I got an email earlier this week from Longhorn Steakhouse offering a 15% discount. Last week it was 10%. Yesterday in another email bargain priced steaks and fixings for you to cook at home while supplies last. Maine Diner in Wells is offering curbside or home delivery.
@Al Amoling What about the handling of the foods served up outside and at drive-ups? How is it shielded from virus after being handled by preparers? Is is safe? Frank
Don't know anything about drive-ups. All around here are closed. I have to assume that the establishment is taking the necessary precautions to prevent spread of disease. I did a pickup at a restaurant and was/am fine after it. Also I'll be getting subs at Subway tonight like I have for the past few months. They only do take out now. I order when I get there.
When all this is over, which it probably will be after the elections here in the United States, the restaurants that I am going to patronize will be those that come the closest to getting back to normal. The more the vestiges of corona madness, the less likely I am to go back.