December 3, 2020 — Restaurant organizations are reacting both positively and negatively to a new USD 908 billion (EUR 751 billion) COVID-19 relief bill proposed by a group of U.S. legislators.
Due to renewed indoor dining restrictions in several U.S. cities and states, many restaurants are temporarily – or permanently – shutting their doors, and many others are struggling to stay afloat. Seafood suppliers, distributors, and wholesalers are, in turn, taking a hit from the widespread closures.
September 15, 2020 — Six months after the first shutdown of restaurants for the coronavirus pandemic, at least 100,000 U.S. restaurants have permanently closed or will do so by the end of this year, according to a new survey.
In addition, the industry is on track to lose USD 240 billion (EUR 2020 billion) in sales by the end of this year, the National Restaurant Association said in a press release.
July 17, 2020 — The United States government needs to take immediate action to stabilize restaurants, an industry group said, even as seafood restaurants shut down or stop paying rent.
On 15 July, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) sent its “Blueprint for Restaurant Revival” to Congress. The comprehensive policy and legislative plan outlines “specific and immediate action the federal government should take to stabilize the industry in the short-term and set the foundation for long-term rebuilding,” the NRA said in a press release.
June 2, 2020 — Representatives of the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) recently met with U.S. President Donald Trump and key administration officials to make their case for a proposed USD 120 billion (EUR 107 billion) stabilization fund for the U.S. restaurant industry.
More government relief is needed for the sector, which has struggled through lockdowns over the past two months that have effectively closed most U.S. restaurants to dine-in customers, the trade group told the president, according to a press release.
April 21, 2020 — Restaurants and foodservice distributors continue to push the U.S. government for funding relief to help their businesses survive in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The restaurant industry is expected to realize losses of more than USD 240 billion (EUR 221 billion) nationwide by the end of the year, after losing USD 30 billion (EUR 28 billion) in March and USD 50 billion (EUR 46 billion) in April, the National Restaurant Association said in a press release.
March 20, 2020 — As more U.S. states begin mandating restaurant closures or limited seating, restaurant and hospitality operators are reporting plunging profits and are instituting furloughs.
The United States National Restaurant Association and the International Foodservice Distributors Association are asking for immediate help from the Trump administration and Congress to stave off what they’re calling an imminent crisis for the U.S. foodservice industry.