Half Of DC Restaurants Say Business Is Down, Many May Close, Survey Finds

More than 200 restaurant owners responded to the survey — nearly half said they saw fewer diners in 2024 and 47% said they saw lower sales.

Full-service casual restaurants are least optimistic about their business, with 44% saying they are likely to close in 2025, citing rising costs and tipped wage increases that are outpacing revenue. That is almost double the number of suburban restaurants that expressed concern about staying in business.

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