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As restaurants prepare for possible pent-up demand, consumers will call the shotsAs restaurants prepare for possible pent-up demand, consumers will call the shots

The post-vaccine diner is expected to want convenience and control over their experience

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 4, 2021

7 Min Read
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While few are expecting a Roaring Twenty-Twenties-like return to restaurants and bars — with the modern equivalent of flappers and bathtub gin — a post-vaccine restaurant industry shows signs of being more profitable with a consumer who will be, literally, calling the shots.

After a year of dealing with on-and-off restrictions and up-and-down sales, restaurant operators have sliced and diced their balance sheets to make them profitable. And consumers are expressing a giant bubble of pent-up demand that bodes well for the topline when COVID-19 pandemic vaccines roll out in large numbers.

“The consumer is telling us more and more they want to get back inside the restaurant,” said Gene Lee, CEO of Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc., ...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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