Offline: This content can only be displayed when online.

© Chantal Arnts, Chambre Séparée

© Chantal Arnts, Chambre Séparée

the most challenging year in history

  2 min

infographic

The most challenging year in history

COVID-19 and restaurants


Jelle Steenbergen  Xiao Er Kong

© Nina Slagmolen, Escobar

© Nina Slagmolen, I-Dock

+100,000

Over one hundred thousand restaurants were closed long term or permanently

$240 billion

Compared to the National Restaurant Associations projected numbers for 2020, restaurants fell $240 billion dollars short

-19.2%

Restaurants sales in the United States were down 19.2% in 2020

At the height of the pandemic, more than 8 million restaurant workers were laid off or furloughed in the United States alone. The end of 2020 saw 2.5 million fewer industry jobs than the beginning of the year. 

2020 was the most challenging year in history for restaurants, especially independents.

The Impact of COVID-19 in 2020

48%

Of restaurateurs that were forced to close their doors say they are likely to stay in the industry

Of people have seen a restaurant in their community be forced to close permanently

60%

The majority of closed restaurants had been operating for 16 years or more, with 16% having existed for over 30 years

Family dining, fine dining, and casual dining segments took the brunt of the impact in food with a 30% drop in sales (2020 compared to 2019). Limited service restaurants, which includes most big chains, saw a relatively mild 6% drop. Bars and other establishments reliant on alcohol sales plummeted 65%.

Independents suffer greatly

© Chantal Arnts, Chambre Séparée

Of quickservice operators have expanded their outdoor options

23%

56%

Of casual dining operators have expanded their outdoor options

62%

Of fine dining operators have expanded their outdoor options

© Nina Slagmolen, Escobar

Are more likely to order off-premise

68%

Of adults say takeout and delivery are essential to the way they live

53%

60%

Consider restaurants an essential part of their lifestyle. This number is higher among both millennials and generation Z

67%

Of adults say they aren’t visiting restaurants as often as they’d like

Outdoor dining offers hope for independents, too. 

Projected sales for 2021 see a 10.2% increase, still 15% below pre-pandemic levels. However: consumers are ready to return and off-premise has been a point of light in dark times.

Independent restaurants with strong community ties are well positioned for the takeout and delivery market. 64% of guests prefer to order directly from the restaurant, and 72% prefer the restaurant to have a physical location. Despite their meteoric rise, Ghost Kitchens have yet to prove themselves in the minds of diners.

The long road to recovery

A snapshot worldwide

Sources and further reading:

COVID-19 and restaurants


  2 min

Offline: This content can only be displayed when online.

© Nina Slagmolen, I-Dock

© Chantal Arnts, Chambre Séparée

© Chantal Arnts, Chambre Séparée

The most challenging year in history

Jelle Steenbergen  Xiao Er Kong

Sources and further reading:

+100,000

Over one hundred thousand restaurants were closed long term or permanently

$240 billion

Compared to the National Restaurant Associations projected numbers for 2020, restaurants fell $240 billion dollars short

-19.2%

Restaurants sales in the United States were down 19.2% in 2020

At the height of the pandemic, more than 8 million restaurant workers were laid off or furloughed in the United States alone. The end of 2020 saw 2.5 million fewer industry jobs than the beginning of the year. 

2020 was the most challenging year in history for restaurants, especially independents.

The Impact of COVID-19 in 2020

48%

Of restaurateurs that were forced to close their doors say they are likely to stay in the industry

Of people have seen a restaurant in their community be forced to close permanently

60%

The majority of closed restaurants had been operating for 16 years or more, with 16% having existed for over 30 years

Family dining, fine dining, and casual dining segments took the brunt of the impact in food with a 30% drop in sales (2020 compared to 2019). Limited service restaurants, which includes most big chains, saw a relatively mild 6% drop. Bars and other establishments reliant on alcohol sales plummeted 65%.

Independents suffer greatly

© Chantal Arnts, Chambre Séparée

Of quickservice operators have expanded their outdoor options

23%

56%

Of casual dining operators have expanded their outdoor options

62%

Of fine dining operators have expanded their outdoor options

© Nina Slagmolen, Escobar

Are more likely to order off-premise

68%

Of adults say takeout and delivery are essential to the way they live

53%

60%

Consider restaurants an essential part of their lifestyle. This number is higher among both millennials and generation Z

67%

Of adults say they aren’t visiting restaurants as often as they’d like

Independent restaurants with strong community ties are well positioned for the takeout and delivery market. 64% of guests prefer to order directly from the restaurant, and 72% prefer the restaurant to have a physical location. Despite their meteoric rise, Ghost Kitchens have yet to prove themselves in the minds of diners.

Outdoor dining offers hope for independents, too. 

Projected sales for 2021 see a 10.2% increase, still 15% below pre-pandemic levels. However: consumers are ready to return and off-premise has been a point of light in dark times.

The long road to recovery

A snapshot worldwide

Overview magazines

Food Inspiration Magazine is the online magazine for foodservice professionals in search of inspiration and innovation. With the magazine we collect, enrich and spread inspiration. The free subscription magazine is published eight times per year and is an abundant source of inspiration for food and hospitality professionals. Our readers can be found in the U.S., Northern Europe, Latin America and Asia.
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