States where restaurants have been hit the hardest by COVID-19

Written by:
May 15, 2020
Jessica McGowan // Getty Images

States where restaurants have been hit the hardest by the coronavirus

There's virtually no industry in the world that hasn't been impacted by the coronavirus, but few have been pummeled like restaurants in the U.S. Stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 restrictions have to switch to takeout and delivery only, or close altogether. The National Restaurant Association predicted in mid-April that the restaurant and foodservice industry would suffer more than that month alone. Some 96% of restaurants in the fine-dining segment, which is characterized by elevated table service, have needed to lay off the vast majority of their staffs, conducted April 10鈥16. The results also showed that at least have furloughed or permanently laid off all their workers.

While restaurants in every state have seen revenue decline during the pandemic, those in some states have suffered more than others. 麻豆原创 sourced data on how restaurants have fared during the coronavirus from from April 29, 2020, which found that revenue at U.S. restaurants is down by 44%. Data shows change in restaurant year-over-year sales for the week ending April 25, 2020. States are ranked from lowest to highest sales loss. Delaware and Hawaii are not included as data was not available. 麻豆原创 also looked at news articles, government reports, and information from industry trade groups to learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted restaurants in each state.

Restaurants are eagerly waiting for the time when they can reopen safely, and in some states, they've already started welcoming diners back. The dining experience has changed, however. Once-crowded dining rooms have. Other government officials have advised that servers . And you might even need to have your before you're seated.

Wondering how your favorite restaurants might be holding up? Read on to learn about the states where restaurants have been hit the hardest by the coronavirus.

Related: 

1 / 48
Portland Press Herald // Getty Images

#48. Maine

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -8%

Struggling with drops in revenue during the COVID-19 crisis, restaurant owners in Maine are. Some restaurant owners took matters into their own hands, on their own. In response to the outcry, the governor pushed up the reopening date for restaurants in .

2 / 48
Debbie Ann Powell // Shutterstock

#47. Alaska

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -15%

While restaurants in Alaska have been, a new restriction that prohibits dine-in seating to just one quarter of total capacity may not make it feasible. Experts estimate that fewer than will reopen, according to Sarah Daulton Oates, president and chief executive of the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association.

3 / 48
SETH HERALD // Getty Images

#46. Michigan

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -18%

Around 20 restaurants in Michigan may be during the state鈥檚 stay-at-home order, said Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association in an article by Syma Chowdhry of WXYZ. The scheduled reopening date for bars and restaurants in the state is .

4 / 48
Aaron J. Thornton // Getty Images

#45. New Hampshire

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -20%

New Hampshire鈥檚 hospitality industry has lost during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Monica Hernandez of WMUR. A task force in the state has proposed to reopen restaurants, which would initially include spacing tables six feet apart, banning buffets, and capping parties at 10 people maximum.

5 / 48
Rick Friedman // Getty Images

#44. Vermont

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -22%

More than comes from restaurants, according to Anne Wallace Allen of VTDigger. Restaurant owners in the state are pushing for a to help with their financial recovery from the pandemic.

6 / 48
William Campbell // Getty Images

#43. Nebraska

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -23%

Restaurants were allowed to reopen in on May 4, as long as they followed certain restrictions, according to Allison Mollenkamp of NET News. They must space tables at least six feet apart, mandate their staff wear masks, limit the size of parties to no more than six people, and operate at half capacity.

7 / 48
Barcroft Media // Getty Images

#42. Indiana

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -24%

Restaurants in northwest Indiana are hoping that will drive across the border for a meal as the state slowly reopens, according to Jermont Terry of CBS Chicago. Restaurants in that region have seen business decline, even though they鈥檝e offered takeout options, and they鈥檙e hoping for a boost in business from diners outside the state.

8 / 48
Christian Petersen // Getty Images

#41. Arizona

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -25%

Several restaurant chains in Arizona have suffered a since the COVID-19 outbreak, according to an early April report from the state鈥檚 Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Even though restaurants have seen a boost in takeout orders, it hasn鈥檛 made up for significant losses incurred after in-house dining was shut down by the governor.

9 / 48
Christian Petersen // Getty Images

#40. Iowa

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -25%

Restaurants in Iowa are experiencing on average due to the pandemic, according to the Iowa Restaurant Association. The state鈥檚 restaurant and food service industry was also expected to see a during the month of April.

10 / 48
Andrew Lichtenstein // Getty Images

#39. South Dakota

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -25%

South Dakota was the on dine-in service during the coronavirus outbreak, according to Colman Andrews of 24/7 Wall St. Despite an official mandate, many bars and restaurants in Sioux Falls, the largest city in South Dakota, in an effort to protect staff and patrons, according to Pam Louwagie of Star Tribune.

11 / 48
Education Images // Getty Images

#38. Idaho

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -27%

Of the permitted to reopen during stage one of the governor鈥檚 four-stage plan to end the shutdown, none were dine-in restaurants, according to Betsy Z. Russell of the Post Register. Restaurants must wait until the second phase of the plan, which won鈥檛 kick in until, at the earliest. In the meantime, they鈥檙e relying on to keep their businesses afloat, according to Molly Wampler of Boise State Public Radio.

12 / 48
Sarah Silbiger // Getty Images

#37. Mississippi

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -27%

More than have closed up shop during the pandemic, according to Dennis Seid, Josh Mitchell, and Ray Van Dusen of the Daily Journal. Those still open have, offering lunch specials, family packs, and other promotions.

13 / 48
Jessica McGowan // Getty Images

#36. West Virginia

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -27%

Restaurants in West Virginia got the go-ahead to on May 4. Despite the potential for a boost in sales, some restaurants have out of an abundance of caution during the pandemic, according to Bailey Pace of WVVA.

14 / 48
JOHANNES EISELE // Getty Images

#35. Oklahoma

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -28%

The shutdown of bars and restaurants in Tulsa may be costing the city as much as in tax revenue, according to Gustavo Olguin of KTUL. Restaurants in Oklahoma raked in in 2018, according to the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.

15 / 48
NurPhoto // Getty Images

#34. Pennsylvania

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -28%

Around have laid off or furloughed their employees since early March, according to data from the National Restaurant Association. The disruption has left around in the state out of a job.

16 / 48
OLIVIER DOULIERY // Getty Images

#33. North Dakota

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -30%

Every dollar spent on dining in North Dakota restaurants brings, according to 2018 data from the National Restaurant Association. After the state mandated on March 19, restrictions were lifted on May 1, with such as cleaning as often as possible and maintaining social distancing for diners and staff.

17 / 48
JOHANNES EISELE/AFP // Getty Images

#32. Kentucky

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -31%

The Kentucky Restaurant Association estimates that restaurants in the state saw sales revenue drop by in April. While closed to dine-in customers, some Kentucky restaurants have by offering margaritas, bourbon slushies, and other cocktails for takeout, according to Janet Patton of Lexgo Eat.

18 / 48
BRAD LEE // Getty Images

#31. Ohio

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -31%

Ohio restaurants have laid off or furloughed during the pandemic, according to Alan Ashworth of the Beacon Journal. The Ohio Restaurant Association says that , and those that remain may only reach 40 to 50 percent of previous sales levels.

19 / 48
Ronald Martinez // Getty Images

#30. Utah

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -31%

Some restaurants in Utah under new restrictions, like a 50% cap on capacity and tables spaced six feet apart, according to Michael Locklear of KUTV. One restaurant in Salt Lake City has suffered an since the middle of March, according to a story from Brady McCombs of the Associated Press.

20 / 48
NurPhoto // Getty Images

#29. Wisconsin

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -31%

Wisconsin restaurants suffered a loss of more than, according to a survey conducted in April by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA). The WRA estimates that are out of work.

21 / 48
FREDERIC J. BROWN // Getty Images

#28. Connecticut

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -35%

have temporarily closed during the pandemic, according to Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association. He says 3% will never reopen, while up to 500 more restaurants are in danger of permanent closure.

22 / 48
Kena Betancur // Getty Images

#27. New Jersey

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -35%

Restaurants were the largest private sector employer in New Jersey before they furloughed or during the pandemic, according to CBS New York. Up to in the state may permanently close if stay-at-home orders continue through Memorial Day, according to the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.

23 / 48
The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#26. Massachusetts

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -36%

More than have been laid off or furloughed during the pandemic, according to Michael Bonner of MassLive. Results of a National Restaurant Association survey of 6,500 nationwide restaurants conducted April 10鈥16, 2020, forecast a $1.3 billion loss in sales in restaurants across the state in April.

24 / 48
Anadolu Agency // Getty Images

#25. Wyoming

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -36%

Unlike most other states, other than federal assistance to its restaurants, according to Joseph Guszkowski and Kristina Peters of Restaurant Business. A state health order scheduled through May 15, 2020, except takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup, according to Buckrail.

25 / 48
The Washington Post // Getty Images

#24. Maryland

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -37%

Around in Maryland have been forced to close during the pandemic, according to the Restaurant Association of Maryland. A report from Amanda Yeager of the Baltimore Business Journal states that nearly 150,000 restaurant workers in the state have been left unemployed.

26 / 48
Anadolu Agency // Getty Images

#23. Texas

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -38%

Around in Texas were estimated to be lost by the end of April, according to the Texas Restaurant Association. Around have shut down permanently during the pandemic.

27 / 48
Matthew Stockman // Getty Images

#22. Colorado

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -40%

More than have laid off or furloughed members of their staff since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in March, according to surveys of thousands of restaurant owners across the state and country conducted by the Colorado Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association in mid-April. Restaurants in the state experienced a during the first 10 days of April.

28 / 48
Xinhua News Agency // Getty Images

#21. Louisiana

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -41%

Louisiana was home to in 2018, according to the National Restaurant Association. Restaurants in the state have been in mid-March, according to Tiana Kennell of the Shreveport Times. While dine-in service is still not permitted, regulations have been lifted to allow customers to .

29 / 48
Boston Globe // Getty Images

#20. Rhode Island

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -41%

Rhode Island restaurants saw a in seated customers within a week of the governor鈥檚 state of emergency declaration on March 9, compared with a year earlier, according to data from OpenTable. Dine-in food services were on March 18.

30 / 48
Raymond Boyd // Getty Images

#19. Alabama

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -43%

Alabama's restaurant industry was forecast to see a in the month of April, according to the National Restaurant Association. They were forced to in mid-March.

31 / 48
Jonathan Daniel // Getty Images

#18. Illinois

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -43%

Dine-in restaurant service in Illinois has been temporarily banned since mid-March. The governor鈥檚 will not allow them to reopen until June 26, 2020, at the earliest, according to Ashok Selvam of Eater. While the state has created a to help the state鈥檚 small hospitality businesses (including bars and restaurants) stay afloat amid stay-at-home orders, only 10% of applicants have received the funds, according to Greg Hinz of Crain鈥檚 Chicago Business.

32 / 48
Scott Olson // Getty Images

#17. Kansas

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -43%

Kansas restaurants on May 4, according to Jim McLean and Corinne Boyer of KCUR. They must limit groups to 10 people or less during the first phase of reopening.

33 / 48
Education Images // Getty Images

#16. Minnesota

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -43%

Around industry are at risk of permanent closure by July, according to Liz Rammer, chief of Hospitality Minnesota, a trade group that represents restaurants, bars, and hotels in the state. Sales at some restaurants in the state , according to Callan Gray of KSTP.

34 / 48
Robert Alexander // Getty Images

#15. New Mexico

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -43%

Around went out of business after their state closed dine-in service on March 18, according to the New Mexico Restaurant Association. Restaurants in the state brought in.

35 / 48
Justin Sullivan // Getty Images

#14. Missouri

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -44%

Some restaurant owners in Missouri say that a state waiver that allows them to is helping them keep staff employed, according to Chris Hayes of Fox 2 Now. The Missouri Alcohol and Tobacco Control in effort to help restaurants during the shutdown, according to KRMS.

36 / 48
The Washington Post // Getty Images

#13. Virginia

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -44%

The Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association, which represents restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions, estimates that the industry lost in April. Around 250,000 jobs in the industry were lost in a matter of days during the pandemic, according to Ric Young of CBS 19 News.

37 / 48
Jessica McGowan // Getty Images

#12. Arkansas

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -45%

Restaurants in some Arkansas cities, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Conway, are forecast to lose, according to an analysis from Smith Travel Research and the University of Arkansas Walton School of Business. They also found that casual dining restaurants in the state have seen 77% losses between March 9 and April 11.

38 / 48
Brett Carlsen // Getty Images

#11. Tennessee

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -45%

There were more than in 2018, according to the National Restaurant Association and the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. The state鈥檚 plan to reopen dine-in services includes that may make it impossible for some restaurants to turn a profit, ultimately putting them out of business, according to CNBC鈥檚 Jim Cramer.

39 / 48
Streeter Lecka // Getty Images

#10. North Carolina

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -46%

North Carolina鈥檚 hospitality industry, which includes restaurants, is a according to Nyamekye Daniel of The Center Square. More than 75% of restaurants in the state have seen sales drop by at least 70% during the pandemic, according to an April 30 letter from the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.

40 / 48
Arturo Holmes // Getty Images

#9. Oregon

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -46%

In March and April, around shuttered permanently, according to survey data from the National Restaurant Association. It is predicted that by the end of May, 10% of restaurants in the state may never reopen.

41 / 48
William Campbell // Getty Images

#8. Montana

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -47%

Restaurants in Missoula, Montana, have their work cut out for them in order to reopen during phase one of the state鈥檚 plan, according to Shannon MacNeil of NBC Montana. They must, such as reducing capacity by half, spacing groups six feet apart, eliminating self-serve condiments, and cleaning menus between customers.

42 / 48
Icon Sportswire // Getty Images

#7. Washington

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -47%

At least in Washington were either furloughed or laid-off permanently by April 23, according to the National Restaurant Association. Data from that organization, as well as the Washington Hospitality Association, shows that comes from restaurant and foodservice jobs.

43 / 48
MICHAEL MATHES // Getty Images

#6. Georgia

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -51%

In an effort to offset the negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the wants the state government to eliminate payroll taxes for restaurants through the end of 2020, provide restaurants with a temporary sales tax 鈥渉oliday,鈥 and help restaurants obtain mortgage and rent abatement. Around a consists of restaurant and retail workers, according to Kriston Capps of CityLab.

44 / 48
Jeenah Moon // Getty Images

#5. New York

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -53%

Restaurants in New York State saw a loss of almost March 1鈥22, according to the National Restaurant Association. By April 4, restaurants in New York City had seen an 89% year-over-year decline in revenue, according to.

45 / 48
FREDERIC J. BROWN // Getty Images

#4. California

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -59%

California's restaurant industry brings in more than, making it the largest in the country, according to Susie Cagle of The Guardian. The state's hospitality and leisure sectors, which include restaurants, may see a "net job loss of about 100,000," according to economist Jerry Nickelsburg.

46 / 48
Ethan Miller // Getty Images

#3. Nevada

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -59%

Nevada had and bars as of 2018, according to the Nevada Restaurant Association. Restaurants in the state were allowed to reopen on May 9 under strict guidelines, such as having employees wear face coverings, cutting capacity in half, closing bar areas and spacing tables six feet apart.

47 / 48
Anadolu Agency // Getty Images

#2. South Carolina

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -59%

South Carolina has lost during the pandemic, according to data from the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association, cited in an article by David Clarey of the Free Times. State revenue losses may total $740 million from restaurants alone.

48 / 48
Joe Raedle // Getty Images

#1. Florida

- Average revenue vs. same week in 2019: -60%

In Lee County, Florida, an area that includes Cape Coral and Fort Myers, restaurants that remained open after dining rooms closed on March 20 have seen losses of, according to a May 2 article by Kelli Kennedy and Tamara Lush of the Associated Press. Almost in Osceola and Orange County came from laid-off workers in Florida鈥檚 hotel and restaurant industry, according to Chabeli Carrazana of the Orlando Sentinel.

Trending Now