Free contactless digital menus, guest registers and reservations are some of the measures that will support the hospitality industry to stay on top of social distancing restrictions as Victoria reopens restaurants and cafes from June 1, says Mr Yum and OpenTable
As part of the staged reopening announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, pubs, bars, restaurants and bars will be allowed to open with 20 patrons from June 1, 50 patrons from June 22 and 100 in mid-July.
Venues will have to take down details of all patrons to assist with contact tracing and public bars will not be open to ensure social distancing rules are followed.
Both Mr Yum and OpenTable are making free services available to support venues to cope with these measures with take up from a range of venues including Future Future in Richmond, Pentolina in the CBD and Claypots Evening Star in South Melbourne.
To support venues, Mr Yum, an online ordering platform, is offering venues free access to their QR code digital menu with a guest register through to the end of 2020. Venues can easily upgrade to the ordering solution and offer their customers a way to be able to order and pay on their own mobile phone – from their table, or from home for pickup/delivery.
Mr Yum CEO Kim Teo said: “We want to support venues to reopen in a cost-effective and sustainable way. The coronavirus pandemic has already fundamentally changed hospitality in Australia, and we are here to help restaurants, cafes and pubs to find new ways to evolve their businesses.”
OpenTable, the world’s leading provider of online restaurant reservations, recently launched its ‘Open Door’ pricing program which gives restaurants the ability to take online reservations with no subscription cost through to the end of 2020, no cover fees through to 30 Sept 2020, and up to 50% discount on cover fees between October and December 2020.
Additional enhancements to the OpenTable platform now provide restaurants with added support to adhere to social distancing guidelines and provide updated health and safety information to diners.
Restaurants that work with both brands will now also be able to display Mr Yum digital menu links on their OpenTable profile, showcasing the most up to date menu offerings to potential diners.
“OpenTable is passionate about supporting our industry and partners in Victoria, and across the country, through reopening safely and successfully. We are doing our part by updating our features with the post-COVID-19 dining experience in mind and waiving fees to help save on costs throughout 2020,” said Fig Cakar, VP, APAC, OpenTable.