How Does a Single-Location Independent Operator Restaurant Compete with Chain Franchises?

Even in the best of times, it’s mostly been an uphill battle for single location restaurants to compete with chain franchises. Differences in manpower, brand recognition, technology and marketing budgets have all presented significant challenges for single location restaurants to compete for  market share. With the onset of the pandemic, the restaurant industry cratered after experiencing massive labor shortages and business loss, compounding the existing challenges. Despite these issues, by making strategic investments in technology and marketing, it’s still very possible for single location restaurants to compete with chains.

Multichannel OrderingOne of the biggest COVID-born shifts in the industry was the widespread adoption of technology solutions to streamline the ordering process. Diners became familiar with accessing menus via QR codes. Text and online ordering and self-service kiosks enabled with contactless payments became mainstays in franchises. While there are…