Operations

By the numbers: New National Restaurant Association research explores COVID-19’s effect on business

A dizzying drop in sales and mounting layoffs are just two of the disturbing findings in this national survey.

The National Restaurant Association is sharing new research on how the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis is affecting the restaurant industry across America.

This national survey of more than 5,000 operators examines COVID-19’s impact on restaurants, including: 
•    $25 billion in lost sales over just three weeks.
•    Layoffs of more than 3 million employees.
•    An increasing number of restaurants reducing hours of operation or having to close their doors.

The Association’s research team conducted the survey during the last two weeks of March and looked at the time period from March 1 to March 22. Our latest infographic also emphasizes the results.

survey graphic

Learn more here.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

Why are so many restaurant chains filing for bankruptcy?

The Bottom Line: A combination of rising costs and weakening sales, and more expensive debt, has caused real problems for restaurant chains. But the industry is also really difficult.

Financing

Despite their complaints, customers keep flocking to Chipotle

The Bottom Line: The chain continued to be a juggernaut last quarter, with strong sales and traffic growth, despite frequent social media complaints about shrinkflation or other challenges.

Operations

Hitting resistance elsewhere, ghost kitchens and virtual concepts find a happy home in family dining

Reality Check: Old-guard chains are finding the alternative operations to be persistently effective side hustles.

Trending

More from our partners