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Coronavirus relief checks easing restaurant transaction declines

April 27, 2020

Likely buoyed by the coronavirus relief payments received from the government, consumers increased their restaurant transactions in the week ending April 19 relative to week ending April 12 easing the previous weeks' declines, according to The NPD Group. Although the industry is still at historic lows compared to a year ago, restaurant customer transactions declined by 36% compared to a 43% decline the prior week, according to NPD's CREST Performance Alerts, which provides a rapid weekly view of chain-specific transactions and share trends for 70 quick service, fast casual, midscale and casual dining chains. 

Transactions at quick-service restaurants, which are still the most resilient segment of the industry, declined 34% in the week ending April 19 compared to a year ago, according to a press release. Even the significantly challenged full-service restaurant segment received a little relief, declining 72% in the week versus a 79% decline the prior week. The rate of decline for casual dining full-service chains improved 12 points from a decline of 77% in the week ending April 12 to 65% the week ending April 19, reports NPD.  

"Whether the relief monies received can sustain an upward trajectory in restaurant transactions remains to be seen," David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America, said in the release. "There are also significant concerns for consumers’ overall financial health with more than 26 million now unemployed."

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