The recent rise of Omicron cases across the US has extended in many locales the “pandemic era”, and while businesses are seemingly better prepared to navigate fluctuations in an uncertain future, it is difficult to measure success and performance. The longer COVID-related practices are required, the further we get from a sense of normalcy used for projecting and preparing.
Data collection agencies, such as the NPD Group, have taken to comparing current numbers to those in 2019, for a pre-pandemic and post-pandemic analysis. And by these accounts, the news is good!
“Breakfast and lunch restaurant visits showed signs of improving in the September-November period after suffering from restrictions on schools, workplaces and other activities during the COVID pandemic, according to new U.S. data from the NPD Group,” reported Nation’s Restaurant News.
“NPD said Wednesday that in the three months ending November, online and physical visits to restaurants for breakfast increased by 11% compared to a 10% decline in the same period in the prior year.”
As restaurant businesses are learning new consumer patterns, whether or not they are pandemic-related, it is inspiring to see where success is being found.
“We believe in the strength and resilience of the industry,” notes Richard Weil, principal and owner of National Restaurant Consultants. “Our industry is the industry of hospitality and smiles, and while no doubt we have had multiples of obstacles these past 22 months, we see the positive signs and reflection of our industry leaders and survival fortitude.”
Restaurants and other hospitality businesses are still navigating a volatile marketplace in the wake of the pandemic, and it can still be difficult to assess next steps. Our restaurant consultants are closely following what is working where, and our research and extensive experience can be of use to you.