This has been a truly challenging year for restaurant owners. Aside from the normal challenges of running a business, you have had to deal with COVID 19 and everything that comes with. Depending on what state you live in, your government has made the stress even greater with restrictions on running your business. The challenges have been great and many restaurants have called it quits.
The election is now over and hopefully a semblance of order will begin to unfold. The American consumer will no longer be bombarded with diverse messaging that is distracting from getting back to their day to day. What does this all mean for restaurants?
If you have made it this far, you are passionate about your business. Perhaps passionate to the point of being blinded by what has happened this year. Don’t feel bad, many owners are. They continue going through the day to day struggles, losing money everyday. Several are hoping the holiday season can pull them through. It would be great if it were that simple.
As you think about how this year has gone, I’m sure most of you have questioned, why am I doing this? For some, it’s because they can’t figure out what else to do. Others are just caught in the downward spiral of running a failing business. Then there are other owners who have discovered their why and forged a sound business plan that takes them forward in spite of the challenges. Where do you stand, what is your why? How will you transform your restaurant?
With six weeks left in 2020, it is time to begin planning your next year if you haven’t already. We have learned much in 2020 and are using this experience to help others. Would you like help in charting your course for 2021?
Joe Welsh
Joe Welsh is a Partner with CORE Restaurant Marketing Solutions which is a national restaurant marketing agency focusing on helping restaurants improve their sales and profitability. Joe has worked with restaurants on a local and national basis. He has developed and implemented programs for US Foodservice, Gordon Foods and Performance Food Group. Joe has his Master’s Degree in Food Marketing from St. Joseph’s University and over 30 years’ experience in the Food Industry covering both the retail and foodservice sectors.
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