“I don’t see in my lifetime, any period of time, that could be considered more challenging than right now,” said Doug Roth, a restaurant consultant at Playground Hospitality.
Roth said research shows more than 70% of diners have concerns about eating indoors. He thinks local governments should invest in heaters, tents, and other setups to maintain outdoor dining on closed streets.
“We need something at this point that’s going to help carry us over in what has historically been the most important quarter for restaurants or retail, which is the fourth quarter,” Roth said.
Roth said it will be vital for restaurants to have a strong take-out and delivery strategy for the colder months.