The Future of Dining Out

The current health crisis has hit the restaurant industry harder than nearly any other sector. As many as 20% of all U.S. restaurants could close permanently because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to UBS. In some hard-hit markets, like New York, that the number could be as high as 50%, according to some estimates. Beyond this devastating economic impact, the pandemic has also taken a toll on our social and personal well-being. The habit of breaking bread with one another has been a communal activity as long as we have existed. The shelter-in-place orders enacted to curb the spread of COVID-19 have prohibited this once vibrant and meaningful event from taking place outside the home. Once we’re able to gather in larger groups again, we’ll all be looking for the connection, community, and joy that comes from eating together.