New data has revealed more seafood restaurants are opening for business this year.
Many independent and chain seafood restaurants closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (more than 110,000 restaurants shut their doors temporarily or permanently closed last year, according to the National Restaurant Association), but the tide has shifted this year, with many new restaurants – particularly seafood eateries – getting into the business.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that, in the first two months of 2021, Americans filed applications for 50,000 new food businesses (retail and foodservice locations are included), nearly double the 10-year average, CBS News reported. In addition, Yelp added more than 18,000 new food businesses in the last quarter of 2020, which was on par with the previous year.
The number of seafood markets on Yelp jumped 47.3 percent during the quarter, compared to the same quarter last year, while food delivery services soared 174.9 percent and food trucks rose nearly 42 percent.
Seafood boil/Cajun concepts are particularly popular. The Juicy Crab, which has 30 locations in the Southeast U.S., recently began offering franchise opportunities nationwide, FSR Magazine reported. And Outer Banks Boil Company plans to open three locations in the Tampa, Florida, area this year, according to the Business Observer.
Flaming Crab Cajun Seafood Restaurant, an emerging franchise of seafood restaurants based in Pennsylvania, is planning to open two “Flaming Crab Express” locations in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania area in the near future, per The Morning Call. And CFresh, which touts Cajun flavor with an Asian twist, recently opened in Bakersfield, California.
Many other types of seafood restaurants are also making their way into the business this year. The owners of Okeechobee Steakhouse are opening their fourth venture, Okeechobee Prime Seafood in Jupiter, Florida, focused on local and regional seafood.
"We’re sourcing as much as we can from local fishermen – Florida lobster, pompano, snapper – whatever is available fresh and seasonal from local sources.” an Okeechobee Prime Seafood spokesperson told WPTV.
In addition, The Seafood Lady Restaurant & Bar, a Florida-style seafood restaurant, will open in Louisville, Kentucky soon.
Meanwhile, The Great American Takeout, an event started last year to boost restaurant sales during the pandemic, returns on 24 March. The event encourages Americans to order a takeout or delivery meal from their favorite restaurant on 24 March, take a photo of their meal and post it on Instagram or Twitter using the #TheGreatAmericanTakeout hashtag.
For every takeout order shared on social media on 24 March, The Great American Takeout's sponsors will donate USD 10.00 (EUR 8.43) to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees.
Photo courtesy of Brett Hondow/Shutterstock
