NLDue to the closure of the hospitality industry, it is not possible to release our monthly “Ode to” anymore. Instead, over the coming period, we will share our customers’ experiences. This time:
Chidoz
We had a telephone interview with Michel Boels, co-founder of Chidoz, a Mexican chain. They offer Mexican dishes with a fresh twist and now have 6 locations (Utrecht, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Den Bosch, Haarlem, and Nijmegen).
What have you all been doing since March 15?
Initially, it was unclear whether we had to stop all activities. So we remained open for home delivery, but no one was allowed inside. When it became clear that home delivery and pick-up were permitted, we also launched the pick-up service.
How do you manage home delivery/pick-up?
Since the launch of Chidoz, we have been offering home delivery through various delivery platforms (Deliveroo, Thuisbezorgd), so we do not employ our own delivery drivers. Our guests receive “ready to eat” orders or can pick them up at our locations. We have adjusted the opening hours to 16:00 – 21:00, so that we are only open at the most efficient time. This way, we save on staffing costs. We also offer quarantine meals—combo deals that make it easy for customers to choose.
How do your guests respond?
In the first week after March 15, we noticed that customers were somewhat hesitant to pick up or order, but after that week, we saw that orders returned to normal levels. We notice that we are attracting more new customers via the home delivery services, as everyone wants to try something different.
How do you experience our collaboration?
Ordering by phone was an adjustment compared to ordering via InOne. With 6 locations, we decided that one person would place the orders instead of 6 separate contacts. Additionally, we both had to find a balance in stock, production, and order volume, but through open consultation, that was resolved within a week.
Advice and/or tips?
Figure out what best suits your concept. Pay attention to the price and adjust your volumes accordingly. Also, find the best “sales moment” and focus on that time to achieve the highest possible volume. Use your social media effectively to announce this and to remain visible.
