Local restaurants struggling to stay open during inflation
Oct 21, 2024, 7:30 PM
Yong Itto and Sang Nam prepare to-go orders at Itto Sushi in Midvale on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Small businesses struggled with a loss of business during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — More and more favorite local restaurants are closing their doors across the state, struggling to stay afloat amid inflation.
Utah restaurant revenue is down 15% since the pandemic. And small, local restaurants are especially feeling the pinch.
“It’s heartbreaking. Many of our locally authentic, Utah restaurants are family owned and operated,” said President and CEO of the Utah Restaurant Association, Melva Sine.
Sine says restaurants haven’t had a chance to bounce back post-pandemic. They are one of the industries that was hit hardest and now they can’t catch a break with inflation.
According to Sine, costs have skyrocketed. Combined labor and food costs increased nearly 60%. And there may not be a light at the end of the tunnel anytime soon. Sine says we’ll continue to see small and large restaurants struggle.
Chain restaurants have fared better because they often have more financing resources. However, Sine said for the foreseeable future, all restaurants are in an uphill battle.
Inflation is also causing families to eat out less often. Sine says, overall, Utah restaurant revenue is down.
“We’re going to see that these restaurants continue to struggle at every level regardless of what their branded,” said Sine.
Britt Johnson is a reporter and anchor for KSL NewsRadio.
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