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Pursuits

U.S. Restaurant Openings Quicken, Hinting at Rebound Taking Hold

  • Early data show ‘local economies may finally be on the mend’
  • More than 18,200 food establishments opened last quarter
Recent restaurant openings feature more outdoor space, less table density and designs emphasizing efficiency, according to the report.

Recent restaurant openings feature more outdoor space, less table density and designs emphasizing efficiency, according to the report.

Photographer: Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg

New restaurants continued to open last year at a relatively fast pace despite the pandemic, data released Tuesday show.

By the fourth quarter of 2020, the rate of openings fell just 4% compared with the year before, according to data compiled by Yelp Inc., which books online restaurant reservations and posts business reviews. More than 18,200 eating establishments -- including restaurants, farmers markets and food trucks -- opened during the period.