{"id":5732,"date":"2022-07-20T16:13:35","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T20:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.njrestaurantsforsale.com\/?p=5732"},"modified":"2023-12-30T16:13:09","modified_gmt":"2023-12-30T21:13:09","slug":"restaurant-industry-alert-67","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.njrestaurantsforsale.com\/restaurant-industry-alert-67\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant Industry Alert"},"content":{"rendered":"

Restaurants are Once Again a Hot Commodity for Buyers in 2022<\/h3>\n

Rising interest rates – increased costs create financial challenges when looking to purchase a business. <\/strong>The last two years have been a roller coaster for the restaurant industry as the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the industry in 2020 and restaurateurs looked to get back to normal in 2021. In 2022, the restaurant market is finally rebounding and for many investors, it\u2019s the perfect time to purchase an existing location. However, the past two years have left many restaurant owners in a state of exhaustion. They made it through COVID shutdowns and are now dealing with lingering staffing issues. Owning a restaurant has become too much for many sellers and because of their fatigue, are needing to sell. Some owners who may have had plans to sell in 2020, were forced to put those plans on hold and work the business through the pandemic. With signs customers are returning to feel more comfortable going out to restaurants, many owners see this as the much need opportunity to sell. In the current market, buyers are looking to capitalize on the fatigue and purchase a functioning restaurant with staff in place and an existing consumer base. There are concerns for prospective buyers. Rising interest rates and increased cost of goods create financial challenges when looking to purchase a business.<\/p>\n

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Small Business Owners Struggle with Burnout<\/h3>\n

The onslaught of non-stop challenges. <\/strong>The onslaught of non-stop challenges over the last two years \u2014 from pandemic restrictions and staffing shortages to inflation and rising gas prices \u2014 is taking a toll on small business owners, according to a new survey from Podium, a technology platform that serves more than 100,000 local businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Just over 7 in 10 owners (72%) feel burned out from the pandemic\u2019s impact on their business, according to the survey. Inventory shortages, the lack of separation from work and home, and challenges communicating with customers ranked among the top pandemic-related issues, according to the survey of 1,001 small business owners done in partnership with Censuswide (fielded May 23 to June 6). Owners also cited inflation (48%) and rising gas prices (39%) as two top threats to their businesses. The survey showed that staffing remains a sore point, with 40% of owners hesitant to hire due to the rising minimum wage and 42% saying there is a shortage of workers with the skills they need. Faced with persistent pressure, many owners are losing their inherent hopefulness. The National Federation of Independent Business said its Small Business Optimism Index hit the lowest point ever recorded in June, with confidence at a 48-year low.<\/p>\n

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Evaluating Labor and Supply Chain Issues<\/h3>\n

Best practices for fast-casual restaurants.<\/strong> If you\u2019re involved in any aspect of the Fast Casual category, you don\u2019t need me to tell you that labor and distribution issues are real. We all also know that there is no silver bullet that will course-correct the struggles faced by owners and operators. The landscape has changed since the pandemic, and as restaurateurs, we need to push the bounds of innovation to develop short and long-term solutions to the things keeping us up at night \u2013 staffing and supply chain challenges. Today\u2019s workforce seeks out a corporate culture that creates a unique environment and sense of community. Your employees want to be a part of a business that takes an interest in them and doesn\u2019t simply demand the completion of a set of workplace tasks. From operations to customer service, you need to invest in your staff. They are absolutely your most valuable resource. Challenges in supply chain and distribution mean that ingredients readily available one week might not be available the next. Here are two ways franchise brands are helping address today\u2019s labor and distribution challenges.<\/p>\n

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Pros and Cons of Open Kitchens<\/h3>\n

In the Restaurant Industry. <\/strong>The open kitchen concept has become one of the biggest trends in the restaurant industry. When people walk into a restaurant, food transparency is what matters the most. An open kitchen makes the understanding of the whole food production process really simple. However, it is still a matter of discussion whether an open kitchen is good from an operational standpoint or not. Talking realistically, a few restaurants like to be 100% transparent about their processes with the public.\u00a0\u00a0 Restaurants have opted for various technologies to make the whole concept of open kitchens absolutely comfortable for the diners. One such technological adoption is the commercial kitchen ventilation system. It includes both air exhausts as well as replacement air facilities within the cooking area. As consumers increasingly become health conscious, their interest in clean label foods is rising significantly, especially plant-based alternatives. Naturally, when they dine out, they are interested in knowing whether the food served is prepared using animal or cruelty free ingredients, further broadening prospects for open kitchens. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of open kitchens in the restaurant industry and how the restaurants are offering the best possible experience to their diners.<\/p>\n

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Consumers Spending 40% of Food Budget on Restaurants<\/h3>\n

Restaurants play an important role in everyday life. <\/strong>Consumers are still dining out despite rising costs and inflation, spending 40% of individual or family food budgets on restaurants each month. That’s the finding from a Popmenu survey of 1,002 consumers in May 2022, according to a press release. When ordering online, one-third (33%) of consumers spend $50 or more per order on average. More consumers are transitioning from delivery or carryout only back to on-premise dining. Approximately 45% of consumers eat in restaurant dining rooms at least twice a week. As budgets tighten, consumers said they are more likely to pull back on other purchases such as new clothes, travel and gym memberships before reducing their restaurant spending:<\/p>\n