Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

October 8, 2021

Survey shows COVID still hurting CT restaurants

Outdoor dining area at the Wood-n-Tap restaurant in Newington, 3375 Berlin Turnpike. Photo | Hartford Restaurant Group Outdoor dining area at the Wood-n-Tap restaurant in Newington, 3375 Berlin Turnpike.
By Sean Teehan

Three-quarters of eateries surveyed by the Connecticut Restaurant Association said sales remain weaker than pre-pandemic, with 88% reporting the delta variant hurt indoor dining.

Numbers come from a National Restaurant Association survey of 4,000 restaurants across the country conducted between Sept. 7 and Sept. 15. Of the Connecticut restaurants who responded to the survey 78% said they were understaffed and 90% reported paying higher prices for food.

“This new data shines a light on how the pandemic has placed a heavy burden on restaurant owners and their staff," CRA Executive Director Scott Dolch said. "From food costs to hiring new employees, local restaurants are struggling to make ends meet."

The survey suggests a large number of restaurateurs in Connecticut aren't optimistic about recovering business. Forty-eight percent of Connecticut restaurant owners surveyed said they think it could be more than a year before business normalizes and 23% think it never will.

 

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF