On-premise sales velocity continues to follow 2019 patterns, increasing +1% in Week 15 ending April 9, after a -3% decline the week before (ending April 2), market research firm CGA reported.
Nationally, on-premise dollar sales in the latest week (more than $81,000 per location on average) were up +16% compared to the same week in 2021. Sales in the last 12 weeks – nearly $900,000 – increased +35% compared to the same 12-week period in 2021.
All five key states observed by CGA recorded an increase in sales velocity through April 9 versus 2021, led by states with increased COVID-19 restrictions last year: New York (+45% year-over-year), Illinois (+39%) and California (+24%). Florida (+2%) and Texas (+1%), which had “little to no restrictions” in April 2021, recorded the smallest year-over-year increases, noted CGA.
Check value (+13%) and ticket count (+3%) also increased in Week 15 compared to the same week in 2021.
Additionally, sales velocity for each key state either increased or was flat in Week 15 versus Week 14. California (+5%) recorded the largest increase week-over-week – led in part by sales in San Francisco after the city experienced a large decrease in the week ending April 2 – followed by New York (+4%), Illinois (+3%), Texas (+1%) and Florida (flat).
The Easter holiday is expected to boost on-premise sales this weekend, with Easter Sunday on April 17, according to CGA.
“Trends over previous years have shown that Easter is primarily an eating-led occasion, with higher average check values contributing to an uplift at eating venues on Easter Sunday,” the firm said in its report.
In 2019, velocity at eating establishments increased +19% on Easter Sunday compared to an average Sunday in the year, due in part to a +23% increase in check value. Sales velocity at drinking establishments declined -14% on the holiday versus an average Sunday, driven by a -15% decrease in traffic.
ChurchKey To Reopen in D.C. After More than 2 Years
ChurchKey, a neighborhood tavern in Washington, D.C., known for its extensive beer offerings, will reopen April 20 for the first time in more than two years, the Washingtonian reported.
ChurchKey, which opened in October 2009 and is operated by Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG), temporarily closed its doors during the pandemic. The establishment’s owners decided not to reopen as soon as regulations allowed, due to a lack of outdoor space, as well as a commitment to other NRG projects, Greg Engert, NRG beverage director, told the Washingtonian. To generate some sales during the pandemic, the location sold packaged beer.
“After one very long wait, we feel privileged to be able to host you again at Churchkey when we reopen on April 20!” the beer bar wrote in a Twitter post Thursday. “We’ll have new beers (and some old favorites), a new look and a new menu.”
During its closure, the location received an interior and menu upgrade. The tavern now offers around 100 whiskeys, and more than 60 wines, as well cocktails featuring NRG spirits.
To celebrate the reopening, NRG has planned a month of events, which Engert said will feature beer offerings “rarely represented in Washington” from across the country. Retail sales will continue on site, despite the on-premise reopening.