The COVID-19 Issue

Your Guide to Navigating the Omicron Wave

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re facing another curveball: the Omicron variant.

In many states, COVID-19 cases are spiking, shutdowns are beginning, and restaurants are facing hard decisions about how to successfully navigate this next wave. Interpreting ever-evolving CDC guidelines, deciding on how (or whether) to close indoor dining, and charting a course for 2022 is leaving many restaurant owners and operators understandably unsure of how to run their businesses. 


Despite this uncertainty, the industry persists. Many owners and operators are successfully adapting their operations – yet again – to keep orders coming in all while looking out for the health and safety of their staff and guests. 


Some restaurants are tapping into lessons learned earlier on during the pandemic. Since March 2020, many restaurants have not only adopted but optimized digital ordering channels like online ordering, curbside pickup, and contactless delivery. Others are rethinking their business models and finding innovative ways to diversify their revenue streams. Some have also successfully revamped their approach to staff management  – all the more critical during The Great Resignation. 


Every restaurant is different, of course. Each requires a personalized action plan for the coming months. But with ever-changing guidelines and new cases, the situation surrounding the Omicron variant is shifting by the moment. And you need to prepare as best you can.


You’ve gotten this far by staying on your toes and adapting in the face of overwhelming change.


In this guide to navigating the Omicron wave, we've outlined five steps to follow as you navigate your restaurant through the complexities of yet another surge:


Step 1: Maintain a Clean and Healthy Workplace


Step 2: Incorporate Tech to Offset Staffing Shortages and Prevent Burnout


Step 3: Use Online Ordering and Delivery to Drive Revenue


Step 4: Gain Insight into Changing Inventory Costs and Product Availability


Step 5: Drive Repeat Business with a 2022 Marketing Plan



The following five sections are filled with expertly authored resources, tools, and articles that will help you and your team not merely survive, but thrive in spite of Omicron. 


DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only. It is neither legal nor tax advice. If you have specific legal, accounting, or tax questions, you should consult your attorney, accountant, or tax advisor, as appropriate.

FEATURED RESOURCES

Operations

26 Ways that 14 Restaurant Operators are Getting Through COVID

Learn how restaurant operators all over the country are taking care of their staff, changing their business models, optimizing their takeout and delivery, and keeping everyone safe.

Industry News

How to Talk to Your Customers About Coronavirus

Here's how restaurants are approaching customer communications during a time of crisis.

Step 1: Maintain a Clean and Healthy Workplace

Advocacy

How to Take Care of Your Staff During a Health Crisis

Restaurant workers need security now more than ever. Here's how restaurants are adapting their policies to take care of their teams.

Retention

Prioritizing Employee Health and Wellness Improves Retention

Show your staff you care about their personal health as well as their professional well-being.

Training

Restaurant Cleaning Checklist: The Ultimate Guide

Use our restaurant cleaning checklist to create a cleaning schedule for your restaurant to improve general health and safety. Get our restaurant cleaning checklist now.

Training

Restaurant Kitchen Safety Tips

Follow these kitchen safety tips to keep your employees safe and business booming.
Restaurant Reopening Checklist
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Restaurant Reopening Checklist

Learn how to approach reopening your restaurant during COVID-19 with this 78-item checklist.

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Step 2: Incorporate Tech to Offset Staffing Shortages and Prevent Burnout

Operations

The New Steps of Service

Restaurants that adopt the New Steps of Service can become more profitable, with more satisfied guests and better-paid employees. Learn how to make it happen in your restaurant.

Industry News

Keep Revenue Up & Costs Down During the Coronavirus Crisis

It's a careful balancing act.

Hiring

How to Survive the Restaurant Industry Labor Shortage

Learn about the causes of the current restaurant industry labor crisis, potential effects your restaurant might experience, and ways to find success in spite of it all.

Industry News

How to Update Your Restaurant Business Model and Generate More Revenue

We've gathered some examples of resilient and adaptable restaurants and food businesses that, against all odds, made it work — and we'll discuss the updates that are likely to stick around long after COVID-19 is over.

Training

How to Prevent No-Call, No-Shows

What to do when your employees don’t show up.

Training

How to Create an Employee Incentive Program

Increase team productivity, participation, and workplace happiness by creatively rewarding a job well done.
Training Manual Template
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Training Manual Template

Use this restaurant training manual template, a customizable Word Doc, to provide your staff with the rules, guidelines, and clarity they need to do their jobs efficiently.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

We’ve always been a family, and here in Guelaguetza, we’ve always treated people as such. I remember the first few weeks when nobody knew what was going on. We'd have people lined up here and we’d take care of them. And I think that goes a long way.

Bricia Lopez, Co-Owner, Guelaguetza

Operations

Immigrant and BIPOC Restaurateurs Face an Even Tougher COVID-19 Reality

“There’s so much that needs to be done to level the playing field,” says Cheryl Straughter, owner of Soleil Restaurant and Catering.

Accounting

What Automatic Gratuity Means for Your Restaurant

Let's take a closer look at the automatic gratuity model.

Marketing

How to Turn Your Menu Into a Marketing Tool

Your menu is the center of your business. Getting it online and optimized is critical for bringing in new customers.

Retention

How to Retain Restaurant Employees

Learn what it takes to get your best staff to stick around.

Operations

No Contact Delivery for Restaurants: What It Is & Best Practices

What is no contact delivery for restaurants? In this primer, we'll cover the core concepts you need to know about this new type of delivery.

Step 3: Use Online Ordering and Delivery to Drive Revenue

Operations

How to Pivot to Takeout and Delivery During COVID-19

Restrictions around COVID-19 are changing quickly every day. Here's how to adapt your service model to the situation as it stands.

Operations

The Complete Guide to Online Ordering for Restaurants

Take out and delivery have been the two leading revenue-generating options for restaurants looking to stay afloat during the pandemic. Here's everything you need to know.

Operations

How to Increase Your Online Ordering Sales

Here's how you can promote your online ordering program to both increase orders and build strong customer relationships, even at a distance.

Menu + Food

Create an Online Ordering Menu with Food That Travels Well

Make sure your guests can enjoy their meal to the fullest, no matter where they're dining.
Restaurant Website Checklist
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Restaurant Website Checklist

This template will help you update and optimize your website, so guests can easily find and order from you.

Download
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Step 4: Gain Insight into Changing Inventory Costs and Product Availability

Menu + Food

Food Inventory Management Tips & Best Practices for More Profit

Managing inventory is an integral part of operating a successful restaurant. Learn helpful tips, terms, and tactics to make managing inventory less complex.

Operations

How to Set Up a Par Inventory Sheet

Inventory management doesn't have to be all headaches. Learn how to set up a system for your restaurant using a series of par sheets.

Operations

Which Inventory Costing Method Is Right for Your Restaurant?

Inventory costing can help make the process of managing inventory easier — and more profitable. Here are the differences between the FIFO, LIFO, and WAC methods.

Operations

How to Calculate (and Control) Restaurant Food Cost Variance

Managing food cost variance mitigates price fluctuations and helps maximize the return on your COGS.

Operations

How to Calculate Restaurant Cost of Goods Sold

Calculating your restaurant cost of goods sold might seem like a pain, but it's an important part of making sure your business is healthy. Here's an easy way to calculate it.

Accounting

How to Calculate Your Restaurant's Prime Cost

Prime costs are the sum of the total cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) and the total labor costs. Learn why it's a critical financial and operational restaurant metric and how to track it.
Par Inventory Sheet Template
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Par Inventory Sheet Template

Seamlessly track inventory with the help of this customizable par inventory sheet template.

Download
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(857) 301-6002
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Step 5: Drive Repeat Business with a 2022 Marketing Plan

Marketing

How To Create a Restaurant Marketing Plan For Any Size or Budget

Restaurant marketing is all about keeping in touch with your loyal customers and turning one-time visitors into regulars. Here's how to do it without breaking the bank.

Marketing

The Guide to Restaurant Social Media Marketing [+ 14 Examples]

Your customers are on social media. Here's how restaurants are using social to bring in new customers and engage their current ones.

Marketing

How to Increase Visits to Your Restaurant

Learn effective ways to increase visits to your restaurant, including marketing advice, incentives, events, and more.

Marketing

How to Calculate ROI in Restaurant Marketing

Calculating marketing ROI isn't cut and dry, but it's an essential part of any restaurant marketing campaign.
Guide to Restaurant Social Media Marketing
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Guide to Restaurant Social Media Marketing

Learn how to optimize your social media presence to showcase your brand, tell your story, attract new customers, and engage with your audience.

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You must have Javascript enabled in order to submit forms on our website. If you'd like to contact Toast please call us at:

(857) 301-6002
First and Last Name is required
Phone Number is required
Restaurant Name is required
What is your role? is required
What best describes your restaurant type? is required
Yes, I’d like a demo of Toast, a restaurant technology platform.
Yes, I'd like a demo of Toast is required

We’ll handle your info according to our privacy statement.