What We Anticipate for the Future
While we don’t have a crystal ball, based on conversations with operators, consumers and plenty of research, we do have some inclination of what might be in the cards as we get through this.
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New and Expanded Sanitization Practices
- Food safety and sanitization are now top of mind for consumers visiting restaurants and therefore also a top priority for operators.3 -
New and Expanded Sanitization Practices
- Food safety and sanitization are now top of mind for consumers visiting restaurants and therefore also a top priority for operators.3 -
New Investment in Take-out, Drive-through and Delivery Units
- New units being built will be more likely to include a drive-through, designated take-out/curb-side service, and a separate kitchen operation to support off-premise eating. Operators will invest more going forward to ensure they are better positioned to weather another similar crisis event.3
Sources:
1 - IFMA, Refusing to Shutdown Webinar, April 3, 2020
2- Datassential, COVID-19 Report 8: The Operator Story, April 3, 2020
3 – IFMA, Looking Forward to Our New Normal, March 31, 2020
4 - https://www.smuckerawayfromhome.com/trends/Breakfast-Handhelds