Visiting Restaurants: When Will People Feel It’s Safe to Return?

GLADSTONE, MO. — Once restaurants begin opening for sit-down dining again in the United States, what percentage of people will swiftly head to their favorite dining establishment? What percentage, fearful of catching COVID-19, will stay at home?

A survey from CivicScience investigated those questions. It found 39% said they planned to go to a restaurant within a month. Another 41% said within one to five months, and 20% said six months or more. The survey received 44,718 responses from people in the United States age 18 and over, and it took place April 9-22.

“It’s going to take some time even if restrictions were limited,” said Susan Schwallie, executive director of food and beverage consumption for the NPD Group, a market research and consumer insights company. She spoke in an April 24 webinar organized by The Center for Food Integrity, Gladstone.

“There’s a lot of conversation now about reopening, but clearly there’s not a lot of unity about when and where it’s appropriate to reopen,” Ms. Schwallie said. READ ARTICLE