PFSbrands COVID-19 Resources & Updates

As a supermarket, convenience store or travel plaza, you are the backbone of your community and we are proud to support you. This landing page is a resource with details on how to implement creative solutions that help you better serve your customers during this challenging time. 

If you have any questions or need help implementing any of the strategies, please reach out to our Customer Success department at (855) 632-3373 or email us at Customer.Success@PFSbrands.com.

Download this sign to place on your front door to communicate the processes you've put in place to ensure everyone's safety.

Below are a few steps you can take to help with sales during this time:

• Grab & Go
• Red Letter Sides
• Takeout, Drive Thru, Curbside Pick Up & Third-Party Delivery
• Promotion Campaign Strategies
• HR Resources & FAQ
• Best Practices Recommendations (Food Safety, Sanitation)

GRAB & GO 

Providing a minimal-contact solution, Grab & Go items are wanted by consumers now more than ever. Providing prepackaged hot and/or cold food allows you to minimize labor and save time for customers – as well as help manage social distancing.

BENEFITS

• Perfect for minimal-contact food orders or those who want to move through your store quickly
• Merchandise a variety of snacks or meals 
• Can merchandise hot or cold items 

TIPS

• Keep your grab-n-go displays clean, organized and clutter free.
• Consumers are looking to buy multiple meals at once, so prepare individual servings of full meals.
• Place your self-serve, open-air cold cases where customers can choose their items without being close to others.
• Give mix & match options with both proteins and side items.
• If serving out of a cold case, keep pre-chilled items in your cooler between peak serving times.
• When the deli is closing, always place special signage that points your customers to your grab & go options.

EQUIPMENT

With Grab & Go, you can use an existing merchandiser or purchase equipment through PFSbrands. To appeal to customers who want to avoid touching door handles, consider using hands-free equipment. A few recommendations include:

• Hatco Display Cabinets (with doors)
• Hatco Horizontal Merchandising Display Warmers (hands-free)

We offer a variety of hot and cold grab & go merchandisers. Contact Customer Success for more information on ordering: Customer.Success@PFSbrands.com or (855) 632-3373.

suggested menu items:

Snacks

• Chicken tenders & dippers
• Potato wedges
• Shrimp
• Livers & Gizzards
• Small sides such as hushpuppies, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, etc.

Meals / Bulk

• Individually-packaged meals (protein, side(s), biscuit or bun)
• Large sides such as wedges, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, etc.
• Family meal portions
• Blue Plate Special promotions and deals featuring high-margin items

cold case merchandising

Remember, customers are looking for both hot and cold food options! Cook ready-to-eat food for your hot case or hot mobile merchandiser, but don’t forget about utilizing a cold case for another method of on-the-go food options. The cold case is perfect for any item that is approaching its freshness limit in your hot case. Your customers will appreciate easy-to-grab meal solutions that they can heat up at home.

For full cold case preparation instructions and strategies, view our Champs Chicken Cold Case Brochure or our Cooper's Express Cold Case Brochure.

PACKAGING & labels

Regardless if you’re serving hot or cold items, PFSbrands offers a variety of labels and packaging to ensure your presentation is first class. Using clear packaging, the quality of your food will speak for yourself. Easy-to-read labels containing ingredients and nutritional information will give your customers the information they need to pick and choose the best items for them.

For snacks, PFSbrands generic 12 oz grab & go cups with customized lids to hold dipping cups:

• Chicken Tenders & Dippers
• Potato Wedges
• Shrimp
• Livers & Gizzards
• Hushpuppies
• Anything that can fit!

To learn more about the grab & go cups, click here.

For meals or bulk quantities, black plastic containers with clear lid (8 oz, 16 oz, 28 oz, or 64 oz):

• Individually-packaged meals
• Small & large sides
• Family meals
• "Blue Plate Specials"

All PFSbrands Ingredient and Nutritional labels can be purchased by contacting: Customer.Success@PFSbrands.com or (855) 632-3373

“BIG BLU” – BLUTACO

• Purpose: To accommodate consumers’ needs to buy meals in bulk for the next several days or multiple people, package meals in bulk for easy take-out options.
• Pre-packaged Meal: 6ct Taco Meal Kits:
  • 6ct Blue Corn/Flour Tortilla
  • 8 oz Chicken, Pork or Beef options (prepare all versions)
  • 2oz Lettuce, 3oz Cheese
  • 3oz containers each of Verde Salsa and Roja Salsa
  • All assembled in black, re-heatable plastic container with lid
• Retailer Execution:
  1. Pre-package multiple taco meal kits together and place either in Kiosk or Grab & Go merchandiser for easy take-out solutions.
  2. Download social media graphics and signage to help promote to your customers.
• Social Media Post Download: Click to download above graphic
• Signage: Contact your Business Advisor to order

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HR RESOURCES & FAQ

Answers to the Most Common HR Related Coronavirus Questions Provided by the Department of Labor and Society for Human Resource Management:

Would an employee who is afraid of coming to work and contracting COVID-19 be eligible for paid sick leave?

No, an employee’s concern for contracting the virus is not included within the six allowable reasons for leave. The employee, however, may be eligible for leave under another employer policy (such as a leave of absence, accrued vacation, etc.) as per the requirements of that policy. If an employee’s fear, however, is related to a serious health condition, they may be eligible for traditional FMLA leave. Normal notice and certification procedures would be followed for that determination.

Can I tell employees if a co-worker has tested positive for the coronavirus or other communicable disease?

No. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) privacy rules restrict employers from sharing personal health information of an employee. Employers should inform employees that possible exposure has occurred in the workplace without disclosing any identifying information about the individual who tested positive.

What should we do if an employee discloses that they have been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19?

According to CDC guidance, individuals who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 should self-quarantine. Employers can require an employee who has been exposed to the virus to stay at home.

Can I require an employee to go home (or stay home) if he or she is sick?

Yes, employees who show signs of respiratory illness can be asked to leave the workplace and stay at home until they are symptom free.

Do I have to pay nonexempt employees who are sent home from work because they are sick?

Most employers provide employees with paid time off for illness. Nonexempt employees who do not have paid leave available are not required to be paid for such absences, unless there is a collective bargaining agreement indicating otherwise.

If an employer requires an employee to self-quarantine, such as after returning from personal travel, would the employee be eligible for emergency paid sick leave?

No. Only an employee subject to a government order to quarantine or one advised to do so by a health care provider is eligible to receive emergency paid sick leave.

How long should employees with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test stay at home before returning to work?

The CDC has provided guidance on this which they update as recommendations change. See, Discontinuation of Home Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 (Interim Guidance).

Fact Sheets

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (PDF)
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements (PDF)

To contact the PFSbrands HR Professionals, contact AskHR@pfsbrands.com.

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BEST PRACTICES RECOMMENDATIONS (FOOD SAFETY, SANITATION, REOPENING)

FOOD SAFETY 

The FDA is sharing information about best practices to operate retail food stores, restaurants, and associated pick-up and delivery services during the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard workers and consumers. Click this link to learn more.

REOPENING GUIDANCE

The National Restaurant Association compiled guidance for restaurant operators to offer direction and provide a framework for best practices as you reopen or move on from COVID-19. It covers food safety, cleaning and sanitizing, employee health monitoring and personal hygiene, and social distancing. Click this link to learn more.

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