Segment specifics
Still, the outbreak’s impact won’t be felt the same across all areas of foodservice, or even all segments of noncommercial. Business and industry eateries will “be slow to return to pre-pandemic levels” as a large number of employees continue to work from home and will likely return to the workplace at different times, Technomic says. It also predicts a slow recovery for recreation feeding, which “will likely underperform for the next several years” and will be one of the last areas of foodservice to reopen.
The impact on healthcare foodservice will be less drastic, though shifts in labor and service models can be anticipated at hospitals as visitors are able to return and more normal dining operations start again, Technomic says. Long-term care facilities should see less of a long-term impact, while nursing homes may see “stronger than average performance.”
And when it comes to feeding within educational facilities, a lot depends on how the school calendar shakes out. If K-12 schools are able to reopen in the fall, that segment could see less long-term disruption than others, Technomic says. However, the financial fallout from the coronavirus will play a major role in operations, and FSDs can expect a “likely dramatic increase” in students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals.
Similar to K-12, a quicker recovery in the college segment is predicated on resuming in-person classes in the fall. In addition, college operators may have some marketing challenges to overcome: A recent survey by software provider Nutrislice showed that more than three-fourths of returning college students are concerned about buying food on campus due to COVID-19.