Although almost every industry is going through a crisis right now, this is about the long road ahead for America’s restaurants. Frankly, it’s hard to wrap my head around the restaurant biz post-pandemic due to the sheer enormity alone. Please take this in; we’re talking 10% of the overall American Workforce — 15.1 million people! It’s undoubtedly going to be a lightning-fast evolution from the past as well as total reshaping of revenue streams. Change is not an option; it’s a reality. Sadly, in my opinion many of our favorite dine-in establishments will be lost forever, unable to weather this storm or be quick enough to morph. Some regional and national chains could have the financial wherewithal to survive.

Remember the book “Who moved my cheese?”? Well, doing the same old same old will not work now. The heartbreaker is by simply following many States requirements of removing 1/2 to 3/4 of a restaurant's seating capacity will break many businesses. I know if we had to do that with any of the establishments I’ve owned or worked for it would be closing time. There is just not enough wiggle room or capital for that scenario. More needs to happen. There are many ideas moving around about how to make up the lost revenue that I will go into in Part 2 of this blog. There are some brilliant ideas and positive outlooks from many brilliant and positive restaurant people to move forward.

It’s rough looking at the industry as a whole and all of the ancillary support industries that are associated and directly related to restaurants' success or failure. I’ll give you a personal example of this ripple effect; my wife used to supply her organically managed edible flowers to restaurants and breweries. These were upscale fine-dining establishments. Two of her clients have cashed it in and do not intend to reopen. The others certainly do not need edible flowers for their takeout menu. The second side of her business is growing and designing wedding and event flowers. So far almost all weddings have postponed until next year and all events have cancelled. There’s still a chance for more micro weddings (she’s done two so far) and elopements here on Cape Cod. She is resilient, able to morph and getting creative with other ideas as well.

I remain optimistic; we can and will figure this out. It will take a reshaping and forward-thinking outside the norms of our experiences. My hope for solutions to these issues begins with the belief that collectively if we join together as a united force, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish. Part 2 will focus on solutions! So, my question this week:

I’m asking you to offer up your thoughts and suggestions. This affects us all. With smart collective discussions of a possible path, the dark road we are on can be illuminated.

Thank you to ALL the frontline workers for all that you do. We are truly grateful.

Live well, stay safe and healthy.

America's eateries: The long road ahead (Part one)

Join for free* to continue reading.