Restaurant owner adapts to new norm with online food delivery
TAWAU: The Covid-19 impact on restaurant operators has led owners to online food delivery services in order to adapt to the new norm and reach customers in a new way.
Restaurant Millah owner Sirajuddin Kadir said he had turned to Foodpanda and Morefun to deliver orders to customers who ordered online as most of his customers preferred to stay home.
He said his customers used to come and ‘tapau' (take away) since the Covid-19 started, but with the food delivery service, it is a convenience for him and his customers who can order online.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many changes and adaptation he said such as social distance at tables and fortunately for him, Sirajuddin said it was no problem as his restaurant has ample space and many tables.
Apart from the food delivery service, he said he also turned to Facebook, WhatsApp and phone calls where his customers can make their orders.
He said he never dreamed that his ‘roti canai','teh tarik' and curries would become food deliveries, as previously such a thing involved big orders for a party or catering.
Sirajuddin said he has to adapt to changes caused by the pandemic and he has to learn about e-wallets such as Boost as there are customers who prefer to go cashless to avoid virus transmissions through cash exchange.
He said the e-wallets already existed before the pandemic, but at that time not many were using as they felt it was not necessary and preferred using cash, but with the pandemic, more and more people turned to e-wallets which he also had to adapt by using the service for taking payments.
“There are many changes and new things that business operators have to learn. Cellular phones are not just to make calls and messages as it used to be, now you can do almost everything using your handphone,” he said.
He said it is a matter of learning new things in doing business and adapting to the situation caused by the pandemic and believes every sector will find ways to adapt.