27 May Operation Deliver Happiness Recap

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Thank you for supporting us with your generosity, compassion, and words of encouragement.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Together, we donated over 1,000 bowls of Pho to local Food Banks and Frontliners, provided jobs for 30% of our staff, and delivered happiness to over 12,000 customers in the DMV.

When we started Operation Deliver Happiness, our mission was to provide jobs for our staff, feed our community, and make things easier for our customers.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][counter type=”zero” box=”no” position=”center” separator=”yes” digit=”60″ text=”Staff Rehired”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][counter type=”zero” box=”no” position=”center” separator=”yes” digit=”1000″ text=”Pho Bowls Donated”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][counter type=”zero” box=”no” position=”center” separator=”yes” digit=”12000″ text=”Customers Served”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

We almost shut down our operations…again.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]It was insanely tough to keep everything going with our limited staff and resources, which only whittled down as concerns of COVID-19 grew. We realized that carrying an eight-concept menu at three different locations so far apart provided many challenges that popped up daily. At times, only one person was working both the kitchen and front-of-the-house while the others were sent out for deliveries.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Every day felt like playing whack-a-mole. When one problem was solved, two more popped up. Our lack of sales did not justify the new business model. We didn’t really know what to do and we were very close to ending ODH in mid-April just three weeks after we started. Some of the challenges we faced during this pandemic:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Running out of supplies and not being able to forecast demand for different food items at different places.”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”New team chemistry. Having people who never worked together now work together.”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Limited training with a much larger menu than ever before led to many more mistakes than usual.”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Last minute staff call-outs left us severely understaffed.”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Delivering to such a huge radius caused lots of unforeseen stresses (we basically started Uber Eats).”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Our customers came through

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Eventually, our customers supported us so much and word began to spread. During this time, we received many gift card purchases, donations, uplifting messages and notes of encouragement from our guests. They helped us a lot through the stressful and difficult days. Our guests tipped our staff generously and everyone was empathetic and very understanding even when we weren’t always able to deliver our usual HEH standards.
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Getting ready for what’s next

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]As the world begins to reopen we need your continuing patience and support in this new era of dining as we implement sanitation standards, reopen our other stores, and experiment with menu changes. In addition to placing orders, you can tell your friends and family about our business. By supporting us, we can achieve the following:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Support for our staff by providing them jobs and food.”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Safe experiences for you and our team.”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Improvement in our quality and standard of food and hospitality like we’ve done for the past ten years”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”Support for the local community through collaborations with non-profits.”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-chevron-right” icon_type=”transparent” title=”New and innovative experiences that keep your mouths and spirits happy.”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1043″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” qode_css_animation=”” link=”https://www.toasttab.com/locations/b62709b3-87b3-4e2b-9e4d-de3f36d5d23c#!/”][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Despite the global crisis, we believe in celebrating life’s big moments — and the small ones, too.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a graduation, an anniversary or just getting together, our Family Feasts are the perfect way to celebrate.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_single_image image=”998″ img_size=”large” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Mandatory Guidelines[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Besides following the CDC Guidelines of gloves, masks, social distancing markers, we’ve gone the EXTRA mile and will require that ALL our staff will be ServSafe Covid certified; this includes everyone working in our stores including managers, delivery drivers, hostesses and all kitchen staff.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]