COVID-19 has cost New Brunswick's foodservice sector 13,700 jobs since March 1

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, April 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restaurants Canada estimates that 800,000 foodservice jobs have already been lost nationwide due to COVID-19 ? about 13,700 just in New Brunswick alone ? and they might not return if current conditions continue.

With restaurants now struggling to pay rent and other bills due in April, the national association has conducted a survey to shed light on the state of the industry. Responses from foodservice operators across the country have revealed:

• Four out of five restaurants have laid off employees since March 1.
• Seven out of 10 foodservice operators will further cut back on staff hours or lay off more employees if conditions do not improve.
• Nearly one out of 10 restaurants have already closed permanently and another 18 per cent will permanently close within a month if current conditions continue.

"Not only was our industry among the first to feel the impacts of COVID-19, we've been one of the hardest hit so far, with nearly two thirds of our workforce now lost," said Shanna Munro, Restaurants Canada President and CEO. "In our 75 years of existence as Canada's national foodservice association, these are by far the worst numbers we have ever seen."

New Brunswick's $1.6 billion foodservice industry represents 4 per cent of the province's GDP. If conditions do not improve, Restaurants Canada estimates that the province's foodservice sales will be down more than $320 million for the second quarter of 2020.

The voice of foodservice is being heard

Restaurants Canada has been working closely with government and industry stakeholders since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, contributing to efforts to safeguard public health and assure business continuity as much as possible.

"We commend the Government of New Brunswick for providing protection to commercial tenants and other relief measures introduced so far that have shown the concerns of foodservice are being heard," said Luc Erjavec, Restaurants Canada Vice President, Atlantic Canada. "Without the steps already taken, the impacts on our industry would be even more devastating. In this time of crisis, it is reassuring to see governments, at all levels, come to the table with solutions."

Working toward a swift and strong recovery

Restaurants Canada continues to be at the table, working with all levels of government to strengthen actions already taken in the following areas to provide foodservice businesses with more immediate protection and relief, as well as help to reopen and rehire:

• Rent relief: Flexible arrangements are needed from landlords to allow for payment-free periods. Foodservice operators are looking for a coordinated effort led by government, coupled with ongoing commercial tenant protections to relieve pressure while immediate and long-term solutions are developed that will work for all parties involved.
   
• Access to working capital: With little-to-no sales revenue coming in for most foodservice businesses, many have already depleted their reserve funds, or soon will. Existing measures may need to be expanded and new solutions continue to be welcomed to ensure restaurants will have enough working capital to reopen their doors once physical distancing rules are lifted.
   
• Labour: An expansion of the qualifying conditions and time period for accessing the 75 per cent wage subsidy would help restaurants not only keep workers on payroll but allow those already laid off to be rehired.

About the Restaurants Canada survey

Conclusions cited above are based on responses to a Restaurants Canada survey conducted between March 25 and March 29, 2020. Restaurants Canada received a total of 655 completed surveys from foodservice operators across Canada, representing 13,300 locations (as many respondents belong to multi-unit businesses). Canada's commercial foodservice industry is made up of 97,500 establishments, including full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, caterers and drinking places.

About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing the potential of Canada's diverse and dynamic foodservice industry through member programs, research, advocacy, resources and events. New Brunswick's foodservice sector is a $1.6 billion industry that directly employs nearly 22,000 workers and is the province's number one source of first jobs.

For more information, contact:

Luc Erjavec
Vice President, Atlantic Canada
Restaurants Canada
C: 902-209-0804
Toll-free: 1-800-387-5649 ext. 5000
[email protected]

Kristin Gable
Vice President
NATIONAL Public Relations
C: 514-209-0984
[email protected]

Camille Bélanger
Project Manager
NATIONAL Public Relations
C: 514-967-3950
[email protected]