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Restaurants seeing post-pandemic rebound, but rising costs pose issues

ORLANDO, Fla. — Theme parks and hotels have been rebounding since the pandemic, but what about restaurants?

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Restaurants are dealing with inflation and rising rents. Some are closing their doors while others are seeing more foot traffic, but it’s the rising costs that many can’t keep up with.

According to the 2022 state of the restaurant industry report from the National Restaurant Association, 96% of owners dealt with supply shortages in 2021, and shortages are expected to continue in 2022.

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The same report from the association said the food service industry is expected to grow this year by 400,000 jobs.

U Roll Sushi has seen a 10% to 20% increase since the lockdown, and takeout has been keeping them afloat.

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“Majority of our orders are online and delivery,” owner Thitipong Cholvanich said. “Mostly it will be drivers who come to the door.”

Still, “the labor cost and the food cost both are going up very much,” Cholvanich said.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.