Restaurant Closings Top 110,000 With Industry in ‘Free Fall’
- U.S. establishments face higher costs, low sales, survey finds
- Trade group seeks financial aid package in letter to Congress
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More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently or long-term across the country as the industry grapples with the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. And more pain is ahead, with a potential shutdown of indoor dining in New York City just as the temperatures drop.
The nationwide tally -- representing one in six U.S. eateries -- is among the findings of a survey released Monday by the National Restaurant Association. The figure was up from about 100,000 shutdowns in a September survey. The Washington-based trade group shared the latest results with Congressional leaders in an attempt to secure financial support for a sector rocked by rising costs and falling sales.