In addition to our normal news coverage, What Now Atlanta is tracking ways Atlanta’s businesses are adapting to the novel coronavirus and the challenges it brings to brick-and-mortars.
Taffer’s Tavern, the restaurant franchise created by Bar Rescue’s Jon Taffer, has announced its first location will debut in Alpharetta in July 2020.
Taffer and his local franchise partners, Five Guys Taverns, LLC, are not concerned about launching a new restaurant brand amid the COVID-19 outbreak, telling What Now Atlanta (WNA) in an email Wednesday Taffer’s Tavern “was developed to be the safest franchise brand in history, long before the coronavirus pandemic.”
The yet-to-launch restaurant brand has also created the Taffer’s Safe Dining System™ “in order to alleviate concerns from patrons who require a safer dining environment.”
“Taffer’s Tavern is way ahead of the industry curve when it comes to staff and patron safety,” Taffer said in a prepared statement.
“Every product, preparation, cooking, plating, and service program is designed to remove biological and other contaminants. In addition to making safety a top priority, Taffer’s Tavern uses cutting-edge technology and products to deliver excellent quality foods and delicious flavors in a third of the time and with up to 40 percent less labor than a traditional casual dining kitchen.”
Taffer’s Safe Dining System™ includes:
- Highest food sanitation standards
- No raw protein – food sealed from commissary
- Operated to medical sanitation standards
- “Medically” safe preparation techniques (i.e. masks, gloves, etc.)
- Greatly reduced kitchen labor/employees
- Employee temperature logs (start, middle, end of shift)
- Untouched by human hands
The Governor’s office last week issued 39 guidelines that all restaurants must follow in order to operate dining rooms.
Five Guys Taverns, LLC signed a multi-unit franchise deal with Taffer’s Tavern last year and aims to open the first of five total units, at 33 South Main Street, in the Liberty Hall building directly across from City Hall by July 2020.
“This is a well thought out, revolutionary approach that builds best practices for personnel and transparency for patrons into the core of the business,” Seth Chandlee, the foundinf partner of Five Guys Taverns, LLC, said.
“It is unheard of to see such levels of technology woven into the daily structure of staff operations, systems, and the overall culture of a restaurant. Jon is truly a visionary.” Taffer’s Tavern utilizes “advanced sous vide food preparation methods to deliver delicious, comfort bar fare and a unique array of premium beverage choices.” Details on the other planned four Atlanta-area locations have not yet been announced.
While Taffer’s is getting creative in its kitchens in terms of technology, Sarah Jackson with Instapot Life says there’s a growing demand for streamlined equipment in home kitchens too, like with the Ninja Foodie Pressure Cooker. “With an increase in at-home cooking amid the pandemic, Instant Pots have grown in popularity because of their ease of use,” Jackson said. “Especially for people working from home with kids.”
[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
