Charleston Restaurant Report JULY 2023

1. Local Restaurant Scene -- BREWERIES: TOO MANY OR NOT ENOUGH? 

2. Restaurant Openings, Closings + Coming Soon!

3. National Restaurant Scene – RESTAURANT OPENINGS & NEW POP-UPS ARE SIGNS OF GROWTH & CHANGE FOR A WEARY INDUSTRY

4. Food For Thought -- TIPFLATION IS TAKING OFF ACROSS AMERICA

LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE

BREWERIES: TOO MANY OR NOT ENOUGH? 

     I read an article recently in the Charleston City Paper that contemplated the question of whether Charleston was over-saturated with breweries / brewpubs. For beer enthusiasts, is it possible to have too many? According to the article, there are about 37 to choose from around Charleston. The folks running the breweries may have a different opinion since they are competing for employees and customers, not only with other breweries, but also with every other food & bev option out there. Read the article here...   

RESTAURANT OPENINGS, CLOSINGS + COMING SOON!

Openings + Closings list reflects 2nd Quarter 2023 market activity (April - June):

OPENINGS -- 

Atlyss Food Collective (former Oasis Charleston) 

Azur (Downtown — former Cafe Framboise) 

BarPizza (Mount Pleasant — former Kiki & Rye) 

Big Kick Coffee (Downtown) 

Bohemian Bull (Mount Pleasant — former Carrabba’s) 

Bojangles (Moncks Corner) 

Cinnaholic (Downtown)  

Coastal Skillet (Cainhoy) 

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ (Downtown) 

Culver’s (North Charleston — former Steak & Shake) 

Donatos Pizza (West Ashley) 

Hazel & Hank’s Gourmet Market (North Charleston — former Nana’s Seafood) 

Jersey Mike’s Subs (James Island) 

Legend Deli (Downtown — former Tricera Coffee)

Locals Sushi (James Island — former The Roost)  

Ma’am Saab (Downtown – former Jestine’s Kitchen) 

Matador (Downtown — former Sticky Fingers) 

Republic of Pizza (Downtown) 

Spread Bagelry (Mount Pleasant)  

White Duck Taco Shop (Mount Pleasant – former Sticky Fingers) 

CLOSINGS -- 

Goulette (Downtown)

Hardee’s (Wando) 

Maple Street Biscuit Co. (Mount Pleasant) 

Middleton & Maker Village BBQ (Awendaw) 

Red Orchids (West Ashley) 

The Oriental Cuisine (North Charleston)  

Verde (Downtown) 

Warehouse (Downtown) 

COMING SOON --

     The number of publicly-announced F&B projects on the Coming Soon list -- opening in the area in the near future -- pushed up into the low 70's by the end of the 2nd quarter. The hits just keep on coming!   

NATIONAL RESTAURANT SCENE

RESTAURANT OPENINGS & NEW POP-UPS ARE SIGNS OF GROWTH & CHANGE FOR A WEARY INDUSTRY

     Nations Restaurant News reports that new restaurant business listings on Yelp increased 10% from April '22 to March '23. This stat is quite impressive in light of the staffing shortages, rising wages and food cost inflation experienced over the last couple of years. Ramen and noodle-based concepts led the way in percentage growth. In addition, pop-up restaurant openings grew more than 100% year over year from April '22 to March '23. Read the article to find other important takeaways from Yelp's annual industry report.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

TIPFLATION IS TAKING OFF ACROSS AMERICA

     TheHill.com published a thought-provoking article that touches on the history of tipping and the recent rise in "tipflation". Tipflation seems to be spreading into all sectors of food service, from restaurants to retail and even u-pick produce. Touch screen technology has put the 18/20/25% tip request in consumers' faces as the new norm for seemingly every foodservice transaction. Has it gone too far? Tip fatigue is setting in on most Americans...Read the article here...