National Guard Deployment Hits Washington Restaurants Hard

Strategic Insights -

Business owners in the nation's capital are sounding the alarm as the deployment of the National Guard, combined with a 7 percent drop in reservations, has drastically reduced sales. The figures from OpenTable show a 24 percent decrease in reservations compared to Summer Restaurant Week 2024. When the National Guard arrived, total sales plummeted to $112 on the first night, and $300 on the second night, a significant drop from the usual $1,200 on a busy weeknight.

Key Takeaways:

  • Restaurants in Washington, D.C. are experiencing a severe decline in sales due to the National Guard deployment, with total sales dropping to $112 on the first night and $300 on the second night.
  • Data from OpenTable shows that reservations for Summer Restaurant Week 2024 are 24 percent lower than those during Restaurant Week 2024, held at the same time last year.
  • The National Guard's presence has coincided with a 7 percent drop in reservations from the previous week.
  • The owner of a casual restaurant near the White House reported a 30 percent drop in sales from the previous week, a historic low for his business.
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been detaining delivery drivers, causing shipment delays and reducing sales for restaurants that offer delivery services.
  • Members of a restaurant staff have been stopped by ICE agents on their way home, prompting some to call in sick.

Statistics:

  • Sales total on the first night after the National Guard deployment: $112
  • Sales total on the second night after the National Guard deployment: $300
  • Usual sales on a busy weeknight: $1,200
  • Decrease in reservations for Summer Restaurant Week 2024 compared to Restaurant Week 2024: 24%
  • Decrease in reservations from the previous week due to the National Guard's presence: 7%
  • Sales percentage drop reported by the owner of a casual restaurant near the White House: 30%

Sources:

  • The New York Times: "Restaurant Owners in Washington Feel a Decline in Business as National Guard Patrolling the Streets"
  • OpenTable: Reservations for Summer Restaurant Week 2024
  • Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington: Statement by Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive
  • Interviews with business owners Rock Harper and Bart Hutchins