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Classified in: Covid-19 virus
Subjects: FOOD/COOKING, MISCELLANEOUS, MISCELLANEOUS, ECONOMIC NEWS/TRENDS/ANALYSIS

British Columbia's restaurants need more working capital to successfully reopen


VANCOUVER, May 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new survey from Restaurants Canada has revealed that most foodservice businesses in British Columbia might not have enough cash flow to successfully reopen their doors to diners.

As the province moves forward with lifting emergency measures, restaurants will need more support remaining viable until they are on a path to full recovery.

Survey reveals most restaurants will struggle to resume dine-in operations

About seven out of 10 survey respondents said they are either very or extremely worried that their business won't have enough liquidity to pay vendors, rent and other expenses over the next three months.

While the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program might provide some restaurants with relief, rent obligations continue to be a challenge for many:

Restaurants Canada is calling for solutions to support reopening

"The resiliency of our industry won't be enough to ensure British Columbia's 14,500 restaurants remain viable in the face of insufficient cash flow and insurmountable debt," said Mark von Schellwitz, Restaurants Canada Vice President, Western Canada. "The province needs to come to the table with a package of solutions to help these mostly small and medium-sized businesses stay afloat as they ramp up their operations."

Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, British Columbia's $15 billion foodservice industry represented 5 per cent of the province's GDP and was the province's third-largest private sector employer. If conditions do not improve, the province's foodservice sales could be down by as much as $2.9 billion for the second quarter of 2020 and the industry might not be able to recover the roughly 121,500 jobs it's lost due to COVID-19.

Restaurants Canada is urging further action in the following areas where foodservice businesses continue to need support to have a fighting chance at survival:

About the Restaurants Canada survey

Conclusions cited above are based on responses to a Restaurants Canada survey conducted between May 1 and May 5, 2020. Restaurants Canada received a total of 890 completed surveys from foodservice operators across Canada, representing 11,965 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. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, British Columbia's foodservice sector was a $15 billion industry, directly employing nearly 193,000 people, providing the province's number one source of first jobs and serving 3.4 million customers every day. British Columbia's foodservice industry has since lost about 121,500 jobs and is on track to lose as much as $2.9 billion in sales over the second quarter of 2020 due to the impacts of COVID-19.


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