7 Smart Ways New York Restaurants Can Survive a Crisis

When crises like COVID-19 hit, restaurants and bars in New York face one critical challenge: staying open without in-house diners. Whether it's a global pandemic or an unexpected local event, these actionable strategies can help restaurant owners remain resilient, connected, and operational.

1. Pivot to Take-Out and Delivery

Dining rooms may be empty, but kitchens can stay active. Many NYC eateries successfully transitioned to take-out and delivery models to keep revenue flowing and staff working. Some even extended offerings to cocktails and specialty beverages where regulations allowed.

Train furloughed servers to handle delivery or customer service roles to retain them on payroll.

2. Leverage Third-Party Delivery Apps

Services like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash enable restaurants to expand their reach without setting up internal logistics. During emergencies, many platforms offer reduced fees or marketing support.

• Choose "contactless delivery" for safer customer interactions

• Run limited-time promotions via these apps to boost visibility

3. Strengthen Your Social Media Presence

Restaurants that remained active on Instagram and Facebook saw better community engagement. Use these channels to:

• Update your hours, menus, and delivery options

• Sell gift cards to generate immediate cash flow

• Showcase behind-the-scenes efforts and safety practices

Use short video content to humanize your team and process.

4. Collaborate With Food Relief Programs

Organizations like Rethink Food NYC stepped in to support struggling restaurants during COVID-19. Their Restaurant Response Program offered funding in exchange for preparing meals for food-insecure families.

• Up to $40,000 in funding was available

• Restaurants shifted to temporary meal distribution centers

• A meaningful way to support your team and community

Stay informed about similar programs from city agencies or nonprofits.

5. Sell Artisanal or Signature Products

Got a house-made hot sauce, pastry, or blend of coffee? Now’s the time to retail it. Pivot your business into a micro-retail model offering:

• Coffee beans, breads, jams, or sauces

• Branded merchandise

• Gift boxes or holiday packs

You can use your website and social media to promote availability and pickup.

6. Support Furloughed Employees

Not every role can be retained, but you can help your team find temporary work:

• Connect them with hiring companies like Amazon, Instacart, or third-party delivery apps

• Please encourage them to apply to programs like Rethink Food NYC, which offers temporary roles in culinary operations

• Share local job boards or industry-specific hiring groups

7. Negotiate with Utility Providers

If cash flow is tight, reach out to your utility companies and ask about:

• Deferred payment plans

• Temporary suspensions of shutoffs

• Small business support programs

Securing relief for essential services like electricity, gas, and water can buy you time to stabilize.

Crises, whether global or local, can shut down dining rooms, but they don’t have to close down your business. With the right strategies, creative pivots, and community support, New York restaurants can weather the storm and come back stronger.

Want to reimagine your kitchen or service model post-pandemic? Explore ChefVue, our remote restaurant design process.