And how quick-service restaurants can evolve with them

It’s no secret that the pandemic has been devastating to the restaurant industry. More than 100,000 restaurants and bars have permanently closed due to the pandemic, according to estimates from the National Restaurant Association. Fortunately, one particular sector has been rebounding faster than others. Thanks to an inherent emphasis on convenience and affordable takeout, restaurants in the fast food and quick-service category were able to quickly adapt to the new normal and serve their customers safely and efficiently. Technomic projected that the fast food sector’s market share will grow by 8% this year.

Despite some states reopening and resuming indoor dining at reduced capacity, most consumers remain cautious with heightened hygiene standards. After all, when 77% of consumers recently surveyed by DataEssential say they feel the safest when getting their food from drive-thrus, quick service restaurants (QSRs) have a valuable advantage over other restaurants, and 74% of U.S. consumers have visited drive-thrus the same amount or more often than usual this year. …