Technological developments give people more options than ever. And sometimes that means they would rather enjoy a nice, restaurant-quality meal while binge-watching Netflix than actually go out to eat. The fact that delivery is no longer limited to pizza and Chinese food can open a whole new revenue stream for restaurants who embrace these trends. But how can you take advantage of these preferences without losing your shirt?

Start With Takeout

If you don’t currently offer a pick-up-at-the-door option for diners, consider giving it a try. You’ll learn how well your food will hold up to travel, what dishes are popular for take out, and get an idea of what demand exists.

Survey Your Customers

Why guess about demand when you can just ask? Add a question to your guest checks to determine whether there is a market for dine at home options, or ask servers to solicit input from their customers directly.

Check Out the Competition

Are other restaurants in your area offering delivery? Don’t lose market share to establishments that offer service that you don’t.

Consider a Delivery Service

If you don’t want to dedicate a staff member to home delivery, research delivery services you can join to combine forces with other restaurants. In some areas, companies will pick up from a variety of restaurants and deliver to homes or businesses.

Create a Separate Delivery Menu

Start with a select delivery menu to test the market. Experiment to learn what dishes travel well. Customers expect the same quality from delivery meals as they do from dining in. A sub-par at-home dining experience could reflect badly on your entire establishment. Don’t offer delivery until you are prepared to do it well.

Restaurants must continually innovate to keep existing customers and win new ones. Hiring the most highly qualified professionals gives you a competitive edge. By working with the hotel and restaurant recruiting experts at Horizon Hospitality, you can access better talent. Contact us today to get started.