Extending JRS top priority for 99% of multi-site operators

Extending the JRS is the top priority for multi-site restaurant and food to go operators, closely followed by a nine-month rent break, according to a Hospitality Leaders Poll launched this week by William Reed’s specialist insight division HIM/MCA Insight.

Some 99% of founders and board level executives ranked the JRS as somewhat, very, or extremely important to staying in business with the vast majority (75%) describing it as ‘extremely important’.

It was closely followed by a nine-month rent holiday, with 96% saying that would be somewhat, very or extremely important to their business. Meanwhile 83% called for improved access to CBILS and loans.

Elsewhere, the biggest concern on reopening was identified by 69% of multi-site restaurants as weak consumer confidence and footfall impacting profitability, ahead of space restrictions front of house (11%) and staff safety (10%).

More crucially, just 2% of operators believe they could remain profitable with a drop in footfall of anything over 40%, while another 40% of operators said they could handle a drop of 11-20%. But 28% said even a 10% drop in footfall would render their business unprofitable.

The weekly Hospitality Leaders Poll is designed to track the key priorities and concerns of sector leaders during the coronavirus crisis.  

This week, almost 700 board level operators and founders of multi-site restaurant, pub and food to go operations, and independent pubs and restaurants, gave their feedback.