Businesses ramp up operations as nations prep for tourists

Chuy’s Holdings, which runs restaurants that make Tex-Mex inspired dishes, has re-opened a majority of its dining rooms

BELT-LOOSENING:

— Chuy’s Holdings, which runs restaurants that make Tex-Mex inspired dishes, has re-opened a majority of its dining rooms. The company said Monday that 87 of its dining rooms were in operation in varying levels of capacity. Five restaurants continue to operate with enhanced off-premise service only, while nine restaurants remain temporarily closed. Chuy’s has restaurants in 19 states.

— U.S. restaurant traffic is improving as dining rooms reopen. Total transactions at U.S. restaurant chains were down 18% year-over-year in the week ending May 24, according to The NPD Group, a data and consulting firm. That was a 25-point gain from the week of April 12, during the pandemic’s height, when declines hit 43%. Transactions at fast food restaurants were…