Celiac.com 04/20/2023 – Putting gluten-free policies and processes in writing can help restaurants overcome post-pandemic challenges by saving money, reaching more customers, pleasing more customers, and growing a more thriving business.
As restaurant business picks back up, establishments face new struggles, like supply chain issues, rising prices, and staffing shortages. These pressures can cause some to pull back, but addressing gluten-free customers can help take the sting out of that reality.
Gluten-free Customers Can be Good for Business
Restaurants that can serve consistent gluten-free dishes can earn a premium on many dishes, along with earning repeat business from happy gluten-free customers and their friends and business associates.
Meanwhile, cutting corners to reduce costs and accommodate staff shortages can negatively affect customers’ health and trust, and potentially damage the restaurant’s reputation. Instead of eliminating gluten-free menu items or cutting corners on food safety, restaurants can maximize resources by putting processes for preparing and serving gluten-free dishes into writing.
Less Errors, More Money, Happier Customers and Staff
Written policies not only demonstrate compliance with FDA standards, but also create a standard operating process for employees to follow, which can help to prevent errors, save money, and close any gaps in staff knowledge.
Documenting gluten-free processes can be done cheaply and relatively easily with notebooks, posters, or online postings.
To do it well though, it is essential to involve appropriate members of staff to weigh in on specific steps, and to conduct ongoing training to accommodate different learning styles among staff members.
Consider Asking Experts
It’s also a good idea to ask people who know a lot about gluten-free food to provide advice on how to prepare and serve it safely. This can be done by inviting support groups or individual customers who eat gluten-free to help you. They can share their needs and concerns, along with what’s important to them.
Another option is to work with an organization like the Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) to help you develop rules and training for your staff. This way, you can be sure that you are following the right procedures and keeping your customers safe.
Proper Gluten-Free Procedures Bring Many Benefits
Whatever course you choose, proper implementation of gluten-free food prep and service procedures helps to prevent gluten contamination, and to build trust and loyalty with customers who have dietary restrictions, as well as those who prioritize health and wellness.
Beyond those benefits, restaurants that demonstrate a commitment to proper handling and preparation of gluten-free dishes, can attract a wider customer base and potentially increase revenue.
Additionally, implementing written policies and procedures for gluten-free foodservice can position a restaurant as a leader in food safety and compliance with FDA regulations. This can be particularly valuable in today’s climate, where consumers are increasingly concerned about health and safety.
Basically, restaurants can gain a great deal by leaning into gluten-free standards and preparation, and using them as a vehicle to improve team cohesion, draw more customers, please more customers, save money, and build a better future for everyone, while increasing the bottom line.
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