Restaurant Association says nearly 10% of Utah eateries closed for good

The association that advocates for Utah’s restaurants has confirmed what most of us know: The coronavirus pandemic has taken a huge toll on the state’s eating establishments. According to the Utah Restaurant Association, nearly 10 percent of its members have closed, never to open again.

The association prepared numbers in preparation for the Utah Legislature’s recent special session that were based on reports from restaurant supply companies about the number of establishments that have stopped ordering food and supplies.

Most restaurants are currently operating at 35 percent to 40 percent, so the orders keep coming in, albeit reduced from pre-pandemic buying. But when a business stops ordering, it is assumed to be closed.

Most Utah restaurants were permitted to resume dine-in service in May, but social distancing and other regulations are keeping business down.