Operators turn to relevant signage to communicate effectively with employees.
October 29, 2020
Sponsored by FedEx Offices
As restrictions ease and more customers return to restaurants, markets and cafes, many foodservice operators are grappling with how best to keep their employees safe.
While safety and sanitation have always been central to restaurant operations, the pandemic has changed the rules, and operators must now implement and communicate new guidance. Back-of-the house signage has emerged as an important part of effectively communicating new COVID-19-related safety protocols and procedures to employees.
Signs of the Times
To help promote behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19 in restaurants, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that operators consider a number of strategies, including posting relevant signage in highly visible locations.
Some of the types of signs being used most by restaurants in the back-of-the-house include:
Water-resistant handouts to remind employees to properly wash their hands and wear protective gear (face masks, gloves)
Posters that can be wiped down safely to display more detailed information, such as:
instructions for daily cleaning and disinfecting of workstations
safety guidelines for food prep and cleanup
COVID-19 symptoms list, and what to do if you or a co-worker has them
Procedure cards that display food-safety information or steps at a glance
Adhesive surface graphics for multiple surfaces, including the floor to enforce adequate social distancing or traffic flow information
Tips for creating compelling signs
Displaying the right signage to communicate safety measures can make a difference in the health of a restaurant’s employees, customers and community.
Before creating or hanging COVID-19 signage in the back-of-the-house, restaurant operators should consider the following five design and production tips:
Keep it simple. Health and safety requirements can be complex. Signage shouldn’t be. Effective sign design uses as few words as possible to communicate your message quickly and clearly. Signs can be more text-heavy, but only where people have more time to read them, say in a break room.
Make it legible. When designing signs, opt for clear type styles with adequate spacing between letters. Choose a type size that can be easily read from standard viewing distance.
Use color and images. A picture, the saying goes, is worth a thousand words, so let images do most of the talking. For the text, choose contrasting color combinations that are easy to read, such as yellow letters on a black background
Branded signage. While downloadable stock signage is available from a variety of industry sources, consider custom signage with the restaurant’s logo, as well as the colors, illustrations and copy that are consistent with the brand. The way in which operators communicate with their team now will impact how they view the brand long after the pandemic is behind us.
Make it bilingual. To ensure everyone knows the rules, consider printing signs in English and Spanish, or another language often spoken by employees.
Printing Solutions
Providing a safe restaurant experience for employees will remain a moving target in the coming months, so it’s critical that operators keep track of evolving COVID-19 regulations—and be prepared to create and hang relevant signage. The challenge for operators is finding a print vendor with the scalability and flexibility to produce and deliver the right materials quickly and easily.
For example, one casual-dining bar and grill chain found it needed the ability to print a variety of different materials on-demand for its hundreds of franchisees across the country. The chain sought out and collaborated with a printing company that could host its suite of collateral material in an online portal, enabling each franchisee to log in and order brand approved signage specific to their locations’ regulations.
While it’s not clear when COVID-19 will be a thing of the past, one thing is certain: workers who feel safe, can be more engaged at work. Choosing the right printing vendor to meet evolving signage needs will ensure a restaurant can demonstrate its commitment to protect its employees.
FedEx Office has the capabilities and experience to deliver printed materials that give your employees the confidence they need to feel safe at work. To learn more about FedEx Office print solutions or to discuss a print program with a sales professional, go to fedex.com/intheknow
