After a tumultuous year of COVID-19-related closures, restaurants are back and full-service restaurants are performing especially well.
Restaurant sales increased 2.3 percent to USD 70.6 billion (EUR 58 billion) in June, reaching an all-time high for the fourth month in a row, the U.S. Census Bureau said, according to The Food Institute.
Transaction revenue at full-service restaurants, which typically feature a hefty offering of seafood dishes, spiked 55 percent in the second quarter of 2021 compared to Q1, while customer transaction volume grew 47 percent, according to new data from TableSafe.
“Even though many states are still working towards being fully reopened, our data illustrate that full-service restaurants are seeing a steady recovery,” TableSafe CEO Gordon Gardiner said in a press release. “We’re seeing restaurants making dramatic increases in both transaction revenue and volume, indicating a slow climb back to pre-pandemic levels.”
Seafood-themed restaurants across the country are meeting the moment by planning expansions.
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Koibito Poké debuted a new location in Scottsdale featuring a new design that will be the model for future franchise locations across the country. With four locations in Arizona, Koibito executives are anticipating expansion into a dozen new markets over the next year.
“The new restaurant design provides easier kitchen movement, a more open floor plan, and large floor-to-ceiling windows which create a modern and inviting atmosphere for its customers,” Koibito Poke said in a press release.
Jericho-New York, U.S.A.-based seafood restaurant chain Arthur Treacher’s said in a press release it would expand its menu to include items from Off the Hook, a Louisiana restaurant chain offering authentic Cajun recipes. Arthur Treacher’s will feature two signature Off the Hook recipes, Seafood Gumbo and Crawfish Etoufee, to complement its Fish n’ Chips, Boom Boom Shrimp, and other fish and chicken offerings. Off the Hook operates three locations across South Louisiana, with three additional locations in development.
Photo courtesy of Arthur Treacher’s
