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The Great American Takeout Helps Restaurants During COVID-19

Restaurants across the US launched an initiative to raise awareness of the plight faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative, called ‘The Great American Takeout’, encouraged people at home to order takeout or delivery to help businesses in the industry that may be struggling. Consumers were prompted to share a photo of themselves eating the takeout on social media with the hashtag #thegreatamericantakeout.

The hospitality business has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. With most bars, cafes and restaurants now closed down apart from delivery or takeout options, revenue has dropped significantly and tens of thousands of hospitality workers have been laid off.

The move to delivery and takeout has not been easy for restaurants. For many it has meant setting up a whole new model of working, signing up to third-party apps or arranging delivery drivers, rebuilding menus, ordering packaging and re-training staff. With this model being the only option for the foreseeable future, many have had no choice but to do this to stay in business.

The Great American Takeout was designed to help out the industry in its time of need. Special offers and deals including free delivery were offered to consumers. The initiative was promoted by food businesses of all sizes including well-known brands such as Applebee’s, Chili’s and Ruby Tuesday.

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no end in sight, we can expect to see more initiatives like this to try and save the hospitality industry and the millions of workers employed within it.