What are Ghost Kitchens and Their Insurance Requirements?

A line of cooking stations arranged in a ghost kitchenDining out is more about eating in as a result of the pandemic. In the past few years, restaurant owners and kitchen staff have been seeking opportunities to generate income in a restaurant industry devastated by COVID-19. Ghost kitchens are the latest trend to help aspiring restauranteurs – as well as established restaurants – participate in the market while minimizing the risk of contracting COVID. Let’s discuss the new phenomenon of ghost kitchens and the insurance requirements of those that use them. [Read more…]

How to Navigate the Restaurant Labor Shortage

Close-up On A Blue Sign In The Window Of A Restaurant Displaying The Words, "Come in. We're Hiring." Restaurants that survived the initial COVID-19 lockdown know what it means to be adaptable. Traversing this unfamiliar landscape of customer shortages and a ban on indoor dining has helped you become resilient in the face of adversity. However, with the worst of the pandemic behind us for the time being, restaurant owners are running into a new problem: a lack of job applications. With stress being a large contributing factor to this issue, let’s discuss how to navigate the restaurant labor shortage. [Read more…]

Resuming On-Site Operations After a Shutdown

A caution sign reading "Face Masks Required Prior to Entry" posting in a factory aisleDuring COVID-19, many business buildings have remained idle or are operating at a reduced capacity, leaving some maintenance to fall by the wayside. When not routinely attended, a building becomes susceptible to deteriorating conditions and other issues of neglect. That’s why it’s vital to form a team tasked with reopening the site and inspecting the grounds to make sure it’s safe for staff members. When resuming on-site operations after a shutdown, having a plan in place can ensure a seamless transition. [Read more…]

Outdoor Dining: Safety Considerations for Restaurants

Plastic out door dining bubbles with tables and chairs inside to make for safe COVID-19 dining at restaurantsDespite the opposing forces of tightening COVID-19 restrictions and the beginning of a long and cold season, restaurants are seeking ways to stay operational. Many restaurant owners are considering outdoor dining structures – such as yurts, pods, and tents – to keep customers warm while also limiting COVID-19 exposure. However, there’s the risk of numerous legal and safety repercussions should a restaurant neglect the proper precautions. It’s vital that business owners carefully evaluate the viability of outdoor dining and the overall safety considerations for restaurants. [Read more…]

Tips for Having a Safe Halloween During COVID-19

A Jack-o'-Lantern sitting atop green grass and yellow and orange leaves wearing a surgical mask of its mouthIt’s no secret that this Halloween is going to be much different than any we’ve experienced. This year has come with challenges that have shifted the typical joyful spookiness of the holiday into an atmosphere a bit more unsettling. Despite social distancing and additional safety precautions in place, Halloween will likely still carry the accompanying perils and potential liabilities, along with a few new risks. Refer to our list of helpful tips for having a safe Halloween during COVID-19. [Read more…]

What to Do If COVID-19 is Discovered in The Workplace

Two members of a professional sanitation crew clean the surfaces of a restaurant in hazmat suits after COVID-19 was discovered in the workplace.COVID-19 is a microscopic adversary, making it extremely difficult to detect its presence until it’s too late. Despite the measures your business takes to defend against the virus, there’s always a chance of an outbreak – an employee can contract it outside of work, a sick patron may disregard their quarantine, or the virus can travel into the establishment via a delivery. No matter how the contamination enters your business, it’s important to know what to do If COVID-19 is discovered in the workplace. [Read more…]