Restaurants have a number of industry-specific issues that need to be addressed as businesses reopen and/or return to serving customers on-site. It is important to understand the official government guidelines you will be required to follow and industry best practices for implementing those guidelines.

Virginia Guidelines

Reopening Guidelines

Reopening Guidelines

FDA-Best Practices for Food & Beverage Businesses

FDA - Best Practices for Food & Beverage Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A good, authoritative source on health guidelines for Food & Beverage employers and workers. 

Additional information can be found on the FDA's Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 page

OSHA-Takeout and Curbside Pickup Guidance
OSHA - Takeout and Curbside Pickup Guidance: These are being continuously updated, so this link is to OSHA's Publications page where the latest document can be found.
CDC-Considerations for Restaurants & Bars

CDC - Considerations for Restaurants and Bars: As bars and restaurants phase back into operations, the CDC has issued a series of guidelines and best practices, which they stress "are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which businesses must comply."

The CDC has also issued the following decision tree tool to help restaurants and bars decide when to reopen

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Best Practices From Leading Industry Organizations

MyRestaurantHELP.com

MyRestaurantHELP.com - Delivery Breakthrough: A guide of best practices for keeping your brand intact and growing guest satisfaction through delivery.

The site also has a number of other resources: MyRestaurantHELP.com

Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association

Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association -  COVID-19 Resource Center: Contains industry and state-specific information, including individual documents form government agencies and trade groups

National Restaurant Association

National Restaurant Association - ServSafe - COVID-19 Precautions Training Videos: FREE English and Spanish training video to train operators and staff to reopen restaurants with new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. Upon completion of training, you receive a record of training that can be displayed to communicate to customers the steps you are taking to keep them safe.

National Restaurant Association - ServSafe Coronavirus Primer: A thorough document with specific information on food safety issues.

National Restaurant Association - Reopening Guidance: Guidance for restaurants that complement state government opening plans.

RestaurantOwner.com

RestaurantOwner.com - Surviving the Coronavirus Crisis: This site covers a wide range of restaurant-specific resources, including a comeback webinar series

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SBDC Resources

SBDC Resources

Restaurant Checkup Guide

Restaurant Checkup Guide: A checklist to help understand the health of your restaurant.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Food Supply Chain of the Food Services Industry

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Food Supply Chain of the Food Services Industry: A review of the current situation and points of consideration when reopening. (Download Slides) Topic: Restaurants Summary: Main Issues affecting the Food Service Industry Short-term Key Learning Objectives and Actionable Insights:
    • Food shortages
    • Suggestions for survival during this time
    • $ Dollar and cents of restaurants $
    • Calculating food costs
    • Tips for turning tables
Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

SBA - Coronavirus Relief Options

SBA is currently offering the following funding options:

Videos