Panel Discussions
Black Restaurant Week presented a week of Town Hall discussions to provide insight for culinary businesses adjusting after COVID19. Topics include financing, operations, marketing, and technology.
Panel Discussion Tips
Below see notes from the Aroma Town Hall Panels
Alternative Financing Methods for the Culinary Community
1. Hire a reputable CPA Firm: Check with your local African American Chamber of Commerce for referrals.
2. Build Credit Union Relationships: Become a member of a Credit Union near your business
3. File your Taxes Quarterly: Having all your taxes filed on a quarterly basis keeps your business prepared for emergency lending.
New Way of Business – Updating your business operations after COVID
1. Update your Delivery/Takeout experience: Use Tampered Evident food labels to gain customer trust and add designated pickup/delivery parking spaces.
2. Disinfect instead of sanitize: Learn the difference between the disinfect process, most restaurants use a sanitize process. Check the EPA approved list of products to disinfect and kill COVID.
3. Streamline your menu: Use this time to streamline your menu offerings. Check to make sure your menu items are profitable, portable, popular, and easy to prepare for takeout/delivery services.
4. Increase safety signage: Us provided resources to increase the amount of safety signage around the restaurant for employees.
5. Stay flexible: Important to stay agile for food supply shortages, be flexible with menu options.
Make it Last Forever – Marketing & Branding tips for your culinary business
1. Review and share Customer Reviews with staff: Take good reviews and celebrate them throughout the restaurants. Make sure to share both good and bad reviews weekly with staff for evaluation.
2. Identify a Publicist: Check with your local African American Chamber of Commerce for referrals.
3. Hire a Food Photographer & Stylist: High quality food photos can be used throughout your marketing collateral, website, and social media accounts. Make sure to hire a photographer that specializes in food, there is a difference.
4. Build relationships with local Food Bloggers: Food Bloggers provide awareness for your brand as well as photos, reviews, and a engaged audience.
5. Invest in strategy to market your business: Make sure your operations are in order before promoting.
Operation Resources
Below please find a list of safety resources for your operations after COVID19.
- GrowWithGoogle
- Cleanwithkeystone.com
- Ecolab Food Service Reopening Checklist
- Keystone Food Service Reopening Checklist
- 
s.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Cleaning-Guidelines-Sheets.pdf”>Cleaning Guidelines Sheets: Print and hang up in different areas of restaurant - EPA Approved Products List
- Sysco Checklist using 39 guidelines for reopening
- Sysco Reopening Webinars Schedule
- Safe Serve: Free Food Safety and Career Development Resources
- National Restaurant Association Coronavirus Information and Resources
- Key OSHA standards for COVID-19
- OSHA. COVID-19. Hazard Recognition
- OSHA. COVID-19. Control and Prevention
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- Protecting Workers during a Pandemic
- Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- How to Wash Hands Posters — (English | Spanish | Chinese)
- How to Remove Gloves — (English | Spanish | Chinese)
- How to Put On and Take Off Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (English/Spanish)
Financial Resources
Below please find a list of financial resources for your business after COVID19.
- LiftFund
- CARES ActÂ
- Goolge Grants: COVID-19: Ad credits for Google Ads Small and Medium-sized Businesses
- The Red Back Pack FundÂ
- Our Fair Share: Sean Puffy Combs PPP Application Initiative
- Go Fund Me: Small Business Relief Fund
- Thryv Small Business COVID-19 Grant Program
- Facebook For Business: Boost With Facebook
- NFX Fast Seed Small Business Grant For Startups
- Kiva Funds For Entrepreneurs
- Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund
- The Doonie Fund
- Main Vest: The Man Street Initiative
- James Beard Independent Restaurant Relief Fund
- The Opportunity Fund
- Kabbage
- SBA Funding Programs
Author: Black Restaurant Week
About Black Restaurant Week – Black Restaurant Week LLC is an annual, multi-city culinary movement celebrating the flavors of African, African-American and Caribbean cuisine nationwide. Black Restaurant Week partners with black-owned restaurants, chefs, caterers and food trucks to host a selection of culinary experiences aimed to expand awareness and increase support for black culinary professionals. The organization was founded in 2016 by entrepreneurs Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson. Connect with Black Restaurant Week on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
