Steakhouse got 4,000 calls for takeaway on first Saturday of lockdown
That equated to an average of 22 calls per minute.
A steakhouse received a staggering 4,000 calls asking for takeaway on the first Saturday night of the second national lockdown.
The restaurant said it received an average of 22 calls a minute, at some point having 20 people on the phone at once.
The Ranch Steakhouse in Louth, Lincolnshire wrote on Facebook thanking customers and asking them for their patience.
It received 4308 calls in 3 hours and 14 minutes, which the team described as ‘crazy numbers’.
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Staff admitted their kitchen was not designed for takeaway and there would be ‘teething problems’ as it adapted to overwhelming demand.
‘These are crazy numbers,’ the Facebook post said.
‘Numbers that are, technically, a compliment to us. You guys want Ranch takeaway and we want to deliver it.
‘We’ve won awards for our irresistible food and impeccable service so of course we want to offer this to everyone.
‘We expected high demand, not an insane amount of demand and we’ll be making changes to keep it fairer and easier for customers to order.
‘No business launches without teething issues. It’s difficult for any business to change with minimal notice, especially a well-established and popular business like ours.’
Staff urged customers to order from other independent restaurants in the area if people miss out on takeaway from Ranch.
‘We didn’t set out to become a takeaway,’ they wrote.
‘We have changed our model to adapt, keep our business healthy, our 30 plus staff members securely in a job and to ensure our future is bright.
‘Over the next few days we’ll be discussing and arranging a better system from Wednesday onwards. A new way of taking orders ahead of time and a better way of keeping customers up to date, all the time.
‘But even with a pre-order system, some of our customers are going to miss out on slots and a takeaway and, if you do, we urge you to go elsewhere.
‘Support your local businesses, support this incredible little town during this devastating second lockdown – then come back to us another day.’
Customers took to social media to praise the restaurant’s food and service in the busy circumstances.
Sara Drage said: ‘We have just had a Ranch takeaway and it was fantastic. Yes, we didn’t get through on the phone straightaway, but we just kept trying. They are doing amazingly to say they don’t do takeaway.’
Adele Chapman Jones wrote: ‘You guys are clearly trying your best in a tough time and honestly, you are doing an amazing job.
‘Hopefully you take the kind words to heart, knowing you are doing the best you can for your staff and customers!’
Another described the situation as ‘a massive compliment’.
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