The National Restaurant Association has issued a report on surveys conducted among their membership on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.  Over the past six months, it is estimated that 100,000 restaurants have closed, resulting in displacement of three million employees.  Permanent or long-term cessation of business will cost the industry close to $250 billion in sales in 2020.  For restaurants that have continued operations, operating costs are higher and staffing levels are down by 30 percent compared to the pre-COVID period.

Tom Bene, President and CEO of The National Restaurant Association stated, "our survival comes down to the creativity and entrepreneurship of owners, operators and employees".  He added, "across the board from independent owners to multi-unit franchise operators, restaurants are losing money every month".  The survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association determined that almost half of operators believe their facilities will not be in business in the first quarter of 2021 without substantial Federal support.

The plight of restaurants is obviously reflected in the food service sector. For the period March through July of this year this segment of the food industry lost $165 billion in sales and will grow to an anticipated collective loss of $240 billion for the entire year.