Timeline

It’s important to review the G4G 2.0 program and materials and internally assess the current status of G4G components (menu, food setup, etc.) during the planning stage. Your local G4G team can start working on critical tasks, setting goals, and making a timeline.

Major tasks:

• Form local G4G team (G4G CHAMPions)
• Train your local G4G team with online training modules
  • Tip from the field: Refer to the training section for guidance on which courses to take based on your role
• Conduct “Program Fidelity Assessment” to identify areas for improvement
• Establish a timeline with targets and goals for G4G implementation
  • Tip from the field: Use the Action Plan template and Action Plan resources to develop your G4G plan
• Brief leadership on your G4G plans
  • Tip from the field: Collaborate with Service or installation health and performance initiatives to maximize G4G’s reach
  • Tip from the field: Use dining facility or galley improvements as part of your mNEAT Action Plan

Depending on the initial status of the G4G program components (for example, menu, food setup, and marketing), supportive leadership, staffing, and resources, implementation prep can last from 1–6 months (or longer). These tasks are conducted by the local G4G team and staff behind the scenes and aren’t yet visible to diners.

Major tasks:

• Review, revise and code current menu to meet G4G Menu Coding Goals
  • Tip from the field: Use sample menus and guidelines
  • Tip from the field: Use the pre-coded AFRS recipes to decrease time needed for coding Plan featured meals
• Review and revise standards for serving stations and food setup
• Create a visual menu (“planogram”) to confirm menus and plan food placement
• Plan featured meals
• Order, assemble, and organize G4G 2.0 materials (Food Cards and signage)
  • Tip from the field: Use digital signage , Menu Board templates or Coding Signs for some or all Food Cards
• Create a marketing plan
• Train dining-facility and galley staff

• Prepare and serve new menu and set-up stations
• Display G4G 2.0 materials
  • Tip from the field: Use the “under construction” banners to let your diners know that G4G 2.0 is coming soon
• Display Food Cards and “featured meals” signage
• Review and adjust plans as needed

Local G4G team and staff actively work on the grand-opening plan behind the scenes, but it isn’t visible to diners. This preparation could be gradual or phased over time (a few weeks or months or overnight) depending on your team and facility’s op tempo, staffing, and support.

• Organize G4G 2.0 materials (posters, signs, table tents, Food Cards)
• Display G4G 2.0 marketing and promotional materials
• Try out a few new recipes
  • Tip from the field: If able, host a food tasting to test new recipes
• Engage with PAO to discuss marketing options and determine best channels (print, digital, and social media) for promotion
• Promote and market G4G 2.0 and upcoming grand opening
  • Tip from the field: Use social media as a simple, no-cost marketing strategy

G4G 2.0 at minimum standard
Choose a specific day to unveil G4G 2.0, promote it to diners, and showcase your team’s efforts. Include suggested event-day activities to build interest and boost customer traffic too.

• Promote and market the grand opening day on high-traffic channels
• Plan day of events, activities, and promotions
  • Tip from the field: Check with your installation’s PAO for guidance on giveaways and raffles
• Implement G4G 2.0 components—including menu, food placement, and featured meals—so they’re visible to diners
• Promote and market G4G 2.0 changes
  • Tip from the field: Focus on what matters most to diners: new menu offerings, fresh ingredients, serving-station improvements, and featured meals

The timeline isn’t a straight line, and you’ll often have to return to the planning and implementation stages—or even hold another grand opening—as your program gets underway. For G4G 2.0, the key to long-term success is to keep reviewing your program, adjust things as needed, and get feedback from your diners. As with other programs, interest tends to decrease over time. Continued marketing, promotion, and innovations can help hold the interest of regular diners and generate new interest (and customers). Maintenance and sustainment include behind-the-scenes activities (staff training) and those visible to diners (marketing).

• Review and adjust G4G 2.0 operations as needed
• Continue staff training and focus on areas that need improvement
• Continue marketing and promotion efforts
  • Tip from the field: Follow G4G on Facebook for educational and marketing content to share on your social media accounts
• Keep reviewing menus, testing new recipes, and setting up new serving-station concepts
• Maintain high standards of quality control