Chain restaurants boom, independents go bust
Guess who’s thriving during the pandemic? Not your local independent restaurant, that’s for sure. But the chains are alright: Turns out, having drive-through windows, easy app-based ordering, and leverage with landlords are all keys to surviving these tough times, The Wall Street Journal reports. The graphics in this piece are particularly sobering: While chains are still employing about 20 percent fewer people than they did before the pandemic, independents appear to be faring much worse. Similarly, consumer spending at chain restaurants has nearly reached 2019 levels, while independent restaurants continue to lag far behind.
