This week's top 10: 5 strategies for anti-maskers, TAK Room closes, consumers warm to dine out

This week, Restaurant Hospitality covered some hot button issues like anti-maskers. Masks and other face coverings intended to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus have inadvertently fueled a battle that has resulted in increased social media coverage and some physical altercations.

“I think it’s a handful of situations, but they are high-profile,” said Andria Ryan an Atlanta partner in the law firm of Fisher Phillips and co-chair of the firm’s hospitality team. “Most of the public is compliant.”

But in the era of social media and political division, restaurant mask rules can quickly spiral into a federal case — literally. So how to you deal with people who don't want to follow the rules? Find out here.

And Thomas Keller officially closed both of his restaurants located in Hudson Yards after a year in business, TAK Room and Bouchon Bakery. It's yet unknown if any other high-profile restaurants in the dining complex in New York City have decided to close but Keller has been the first on many things during the pandemic, including suing his insurer.

During one of our Restaurants Rise webinars, Adam Werner, AlixPartners managing partner, said that the firm has been surveying consumers across the U.S. through the ongoing pandemic and results indicate the relationship between diners and restaurants is evolving. 

Looking at data from July compared with surveys in April, Werner said, “Consumers are gaining more confidence. But as they gain more confidence, their expectations are actually rising.” Read more about his data here.

See what else was trending on Restaurant Hospitality this week.