10,000 US restaurants to close in next three weeks, report says

‘The restaurant industry simply cannot wait for relief any longer,’ association warns

Around 10,000 American restaurants could be expected to close in the next three weeks as the industry continues to be hit hard amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report.

According to the National Restaurant Association, 110,000 establishments across the country have already been forced to shut their doors in 2020, a number that is only expected to climb.

In a release published on Monday, the group outlined that they had sent a letter to congressional leadership asking them to compromise on a relief bill to help assist businesses as soon as possible.

“What these findings make clear is that more than 500,000 restaurants of every business type—franchise, chain, and independent—are in an economic free fall,” said Sean Kennedy, executive vice president for Public Affairs in the letter.

“And for every month that passes without a solution from Congress, thousands more restaurants will close their doors for good.”

The group outlined results from a recent survey that they said illustrated “continued business deterioration across the restaurant industry.”

The industry has suffered severe blows since the pandemic gripped the US in March, with establishments in many areas having been forced to close or limit capacity during stay-at-home orders.

The survey, conducted of 6,000 restaurant operators and 250 supply chain businesses between the 17th and 30th of November showed that about 17 per cent of America's restaurants have already permanently closed this year.

Eighty-seven percent of full-service restaurants also report an average 36 per cent drop in sales revenue, according to the survey.

The appeal from the group comes as hopes for a second coronavirus relief bill as rank-and-file lawmakers voiced support for a bipartisan, middle-of-the-road plan taking shape in the Senate.

Top congressional leaders have also finally connected on the topic for the first time in months, with negotiations on the bill having been completely stalled before the election.

However, the National Restaurant Association said that relief for businesses can not come soon enough.

"In short, the restaurant industry simply cannot wait for relief any longer," Mr Kennedy warned.

"If this moderate plan represents a ‘down payment’ for a larger relief package in early 2021, it will provide restaurants with immediate relief to hold on through the most dangerous point in our business year.”