Indoor dining has become a major question for restaurant owners. There's still uncertainty about what COVID-19 vaccine will and won't allow for indoor dining.
What's the main concern?
Vaccine safety is a major concern. The major vaccines show great efficacy and although studies are just coming out saying vaccinated individuals can potentially have lower risk of spreading it to others, the rest is still there.
When does indoor dining open? In many cities, restaurant indoor dining has already started, even if it's at a limited capacity. Questions are still lingering, especially concerning variants that may or may not be protected against.
But many owners are considering restaurant promotions for vaccinated customers. These vaccine promotions vary from one restaurant to another, but they're:
- Offering indoor dining in NYC and other locations
- Promoting vaccinations to some extent
What can you do to offer an incentive to vaccinated people? Let's take a look at what other eateries are offering.
5 COVID-19 Vaccine and Restaurant Promotions
1. Free Glazed Donuts at Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is known for its delicious, sugary donuts. The donut shop wanted to lure customers back to their stores, and they are trying to do this by offering a free glazed donut for the rest of 2021 to anyone that shows their vaccination card.
The tactic was recently announced, and it helped Krispy Kreme generate a lot of free publicity in the process.
Many eateries are now starting to offer their own promotions simply because of the press that Krispy Kreme was able to generate. The deal is rather extensive, with the FAQs page stating that anyone that shows their vaccination card can claim a free donut every day.
You don't even need to make a purchase to receive your free treat.
2. Free Hot Dogs from Coney Island's Nathan's Famous
Nathan's is a very popular place to grab a hot dog and eat some fries. The eatery is world-famous, and the Coney Island location is one of the most popular. While Krispy Kreme is offering the deal for the entire year, Nathan's is only offering the deal through the end of April, so you'll want to take advantage of the deal now.
Show up with your vaccination card the day you get vaccinated, and you'll be able to claim one free hot dog.
Since guests will likely be hungry after their vaccine, this is a good opportunity to lure in potential customers that are likely to purchase even more items when they pick up their hot dog.
3. Discount on Monday at Rumbleseat Bar & Grille
Rumbleseat Bar & Grille in Massachusetts announced that they will be offering a 20% discount on Monday dine-in meals until the mask mandates end. The state is one of the few that have fully opened up their indoor and outdoor dining, and the promotion is likely to bring patrons back to tables to eat.
The state, however, is urging restaurants to try and limit indoor service even if there are no statewide restrictions in place.
The promotion was announced on Facebook.
4. Free Burger at World of Beer Bar & Kitchen
World of Beer Bar & Kitchen is located in Fayetteville, NC, and the restaurant has made local headlines with the eatery's "Vaccinated Eat Free" promotion. The promo will offer everyone a free Black n' Blue Burger starting on April 7.
The company started offering the deal at other locations in February.
Due to massive feedback from customers, the restaurant decided it was time to roll out its promo to more locations. The burger is a new offer, so it's also a great way to do a little testing to see if people like the company's Black n' Blue burger.
5 . 50% Off Tasting Menu at Detroit's Oak & Reel
Oak & Reel is one of Detroit's upscale seafood restaurants known for its freshness and great menu items. One of the biggest sellers is the tasting menu, which allows you to taste a variety of different menu items for $85.
The restaurant will offer anyone that has proof of vaccination 50% off of the tasting menu.
Oak & Reel deserves a lot of credit since they started the promo before a lot of other restaurants. In fact, the promotion started on February 2nd and is being touted as a celebration for all of the people that haven't been able to leave their homes and can finally do so thanks to the vaccine.
The Oak & Reel was named one of the best, new restaurants of 2020, so it's a promotion that anyone in Detroit will not want to miss.
Why are Restaurants Offering These Promotions?
Restaurants are opening up for indoor dining to generate more revenue because curbside pickup and delivery have not led to the same high revenues many of these restaurants are accustomed to making.
Indoor dining vaccine safety may still be in question, but restaurants need to open to some extent to survive.
Encouraging vaccinated customers in NYC to go out and enjoy indoor dining during COVID is taking a creative approach from restaurant owners. The incentive will help the least vulnerable portion of the population - those that are vaccinated - to start going out to eat again.
But restaurants aren't alone in this effort. There are businesses across a wide range of industries that are offering discounts and special promotions for anyone that has been vaccinated.
Businesses have an incentive to promote vaccination: more business.
Vaccinations that may stop the spread and severity of the coronavirus offer the opportunity for businesses to "resume as normal." Promoting vaccinations is a step in helping fight back against the pandemic, keeping people safe, and also offers a nice, added perk for customers.
Conclusion
The coronavirus vaccine and restaurants have been a major question mark for owners. And now, more eateries have chosen to slowly promote the vaccine and bring some customers back to their tables.