Homebred dining out and restaurant tech platform, Dineout has announced ‘Restaurant Vouchers’ that customers can purchase now and redeem later when the coronavirus pandemic subsides. The move follows the 21-day lockdown in India to curb the spread of coronavirus. With an annual turnover of Rs 4 lakh crore, a few experts have claimed that the F&B industry could potentially hit total bankruptcy as it fights a long battle for basic survival.
Restaurant vouchers can be purchased via Dineout on supportrestaurants.in and are available in Rs 1,000 denomination, which customers can redeem in the next six months. Dineout said it will transfer the funds to the restaurants at no additional charges to ensure that restaurants continue to receive the crucial cash-flow in these testing times and, on the other hand, food-lovers get discounted coupons from their favourite eateries in town. It’s kind of a win-win situation for both.
The vouchers at a discounted price are now available at over 20,000 partner restaurants, including Plum by Bent Chair, Whiskey Samba, Lord Of the Drinks, The Wine Company, Sly Granny, Mamagoto, Kobe sizzlers, Chopstick, Gilly's Resto-Bar, and more.
Apart from requesting for the financial support from customers, Dineout has also started an online petition to support NRAI on change.org, requesting the Finance Ministry and Government of India to help restaurants with employees' unemployment pay cover, a moratorium on upcoming statutory dues, delay in utility bill payments, holiday/temporary stoppage on EMI payments, and interest, freezing rental dues, & restoration of Input Tax Credit on GST for all restaurants.
‘Restaurant Vouchers’ can be purchased on the Dineout app or on the web here.
The 21-day lockdown could severely hit the food and beverages industry and local restaurant business. If lockdowns continue, 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the employee-base could lose their jobs. The lockdown has made it extremely tough for the restaurants to pay for expenses, rent, salaries, etc.