Hunter
03/30/20
We’re all aware that the restaurant and hospitality industries are hurting in Iowa with the forced closing of in-house dining , but the longer it goes, the bleaker the picture.
That’s the opinion of Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association.
In a news release last week, Dunker said that they were well aware the shutdown would be detrimental, but their initial numbers would indicate that for as many as 20 percent of restaurant/bar operators in the state, there may be no opening back up.
A survey conducted by the Restaurant Assocaition showed 35 percent of hospitality establishments are closed. 91 percent of the state’s bars are closed, and over 80 percent of the state’s bars and restaurants have had to lay off employees.
Overall, the survey found an 84 percent reduction in sales this month compared with March 2019.
