Getting the Word Out About Your Restaurant






5/6/20


Dear Business Owner, Manager, Representative:

Restaurants are one of the few industries able to operate under the Santa Clara County Shelter-in-Place Order  – albeit with takeout-only service . If your restaurant remains open, getting the word out to customers remains a challenge. Here are just a couple of ideas to help with marketing and business development. 

PROMOTING YOUR RESTAURANT 

Dining at a Distance 
Many customers are using a new, free online service called Dining at a Distance to find and try new eateries that remain open. This website allows you to list an open restaurant, delivery options, and how customers can order. Customers can view locations on a map and filter restaurants by food type and other information. 

Great Plates Delivered : Home Meals for Older Californians 
A new state program called Great Plates Delivered will pay restaurants to prepare healthy meals for qualifying seniors. The City of San Jose plans to participate in the program, though a launch data has not yet been set. You can register your interest with the City through a Web form , and learn more about the state's goals for the program .   

New Offers on Social Media  
With social media use skyrocketing, you may find the following tips useful to establishing and marketing your brand online:   

Several business and social-media platforms are offering special marketing tools during the Covid-19 crisis.  
 
  • NextDoor – Businesses can connect with their communities through this online communication tool dedicated to facilitating conversations within neighborhoods.  Nextdoor recently announced free new programs to help local businesses impacted by COVID-19 to help businesses promote take-out information, gift card access, and fund raising.  


  • Grow with Google – The internet search engine and advertising platform now offers a variety of free business promotional tools including the ability to “claim” a business profile and a free website. Information on COVID-19 solutions are also offered.  

  • Facebook – Facebook has compiled a resource center with information on how to use its tools (including Whatsapp and Instagram) to stay connected with customers.  

Other Ways to Boost Your Business 
A search of the internet will reveal many more creative ways to strengthen your connection with existing and new clients. Here are some articles to stimulate your thinking: 

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR RESTAURANTS 

With best wishes for your health and the success of your business,
Office of Economic Development Team

This information is available in the following languages: English , Español , Tiếng Việt , 繁體中文 , and 中文简体
The City of San Jose wants you and your employees to have important information about the COVID-19 pandemic and is sending this email to the emergency contact address that you gave the City when your business registered in the San Jose tax system or that you provided later. If you would like to receive these notices at an additional address you can subscribe to one or more of the following distributions:
  • BusinessOwnerSpace.com Notices – Small businesses can keep informed about workshops and other services offered by over 30 small business assistance organization programs through this subscription.
  • SJ Economy Notices – The City of San Jose Office of Economic Development sends out a regular notice about issues of interest to San Jose businesses
  • City of San Jose COVID-19 Flash Reports – Updates and announcements from the City of San Jose about COVID-19 are distributed in the morning and late afternoon to subscribers.

Past distributions about COVID-19 can be found here:

Here are other pandemic-related resources:
Office of Economic Development | City of San José