Hoosier restaurants projecting major loss

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) – A survey from the National Restaurant Association shows restaurants throughout the country continue to be among the hardest hit by the global pandemic. In the Hoosier state, the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association says Indiana restaurants stand to lose $920 million in sales if trends continue through the end of the month.

According to the survey of more than 6,500 restaurants from April 10-16, 88% of operators have had to layoff or furlough employees, and 98% of Indiana survey takers experienced a decrease in sales from April 1-10 when compared to the same time last year. Respondents reported an average total dollar sales volume loss of 77%.

“The Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association continues to work with leadership at all levels to manage the impact and ensure the hospitality industry is working with the most up-to-date information possible,” said Patrick Tamm, chief executive officer and president of InRLA.

The survey found that 91% of Indiana operators have had to layoff or furlough employees, and 15% believe they will have to layoff or furlough additional employees in the next 30 days.

The association projects that 200,000 restaurant employees in Indiana have been laid off since February, representing 83% of Indiana’s 241,900 employees who were working in restaurants two months ago. Nationally, the association says 8 million restaurant workers are no longer employed.

While many restaurants have been able to offer curbside pickup, carryout and delivery, others have had to temporarily or permanently close. In Indiana, 66% of restaurants have temporarily closed since the pandemic began.