Just ask Minister of Finance Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V), who recently confessed in an interview that during normal times he goes to a Lunch Garden at least three times a month for the vol-au-vent. In one of the 75 branches, they might see him rushing in this week, because just like the rest of the catering industry, the Belgian restaurant chain will open its doors again on Wednesday — at 8.30 am — for the first time in eight months. “And that’s not too early,” says CEO Ann Biebuyck. “During the past 2020, at least two thirds of our normal turnover was lost due to corona. But in the meantime our fixed costs continued to run. And if not one euro cent comes in, but 10 million euros has to be paid annually for the rent of our buildings alone, then no drawing needs to be made.” Although some Lunch Garden locations also ventured into takeaway at the start of the second lockdown: “But that soon turned out to be unprofitable — we just have to rely on large sales volumes — so we pulled the plug ourselves after two weeks. ” The workforce also had to be cut due to the pandemic: “Initially we feared that 138 jobs would have to disappear. However, partly due to early retirement and voluntary departure, ‘only’ 25 naked layoffs were ultimately made – and with the necessary guidance.” Today, however, there is a palpable atmosphere of optimism and enthusiasm at Lunch Garden’s headquarters, now that the self-service chain is also allowed to open its doors again.
–
