Restaurant finance hit hard by outbreak

NEW YORK－"The restaurant's turnover is only 2-3 percent of what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Rent, utilities and staff salaries have to be paid as usual," Chen Shanzhuang, owner of a Chinese restaurant called Golden Imperial Palace in New York City, told Xinhua.

Chen, who has run the restaurant for more than three decades, is facing an unprecedented crisis. In mid to late March, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened in the United States, and businesses were shut down across New York State. With the executive order of "New York State on PAUSE", his restaurant chain had to close.

His restaurant began to feel the negative impact of COVID-19 in January, Chen said."An important indicator was the number of tourists decreased significantly. We tried a takeout service in late June, but there were only 20 takeaways a day."

Although outdoor dining was permitted in the second phase of reopening, which started on June 22 in New York City, Chen did not reopen outdoor dining at his restaurant until Aug 21. He bought a large number of protective masks, gloves, disposable bowls and chopsticks and disinfection supplies. All customers need to register for the purpose of tracking.

To attract more customers, he branched out into barbecue food."Our restaurant used to be so popular that we offered more than 200 banquets a year. Banquets accounted for 60 percent of the turnover," Chen said."The average yearly turnover of the restaurant before the outbreak was more than $8 million."

In the meantime, his restaurant offered free lunch and dinner to front-line workers during the pandemic. "They are fighting the virus with their lives, we certainly should offer support, providing them with warm and tasty dishes," Chen said. His restaurant has donated more than 6,000 free meals to front-line workers up to now.

The number of Chinese restaurants has reduced by around 20 percent since the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City, said Chen, president of American Chinese Restaurant Alliance (New York).

"There are many old customers coming to eat, and I'm moved hearing the words' thank you for reopening!'" Chen said."I will do my best to adjust my strategy to outdoor dining."

Xinhua