The owners of fried chicken restaurant Krazy Katsu said their July business was down 50% from the prior month.
Corless and other San Antonio restaurant and bar owners — especially those whose establishments include outdoor dining — are trying to figure out a path forward in oppressive heat that many warn may not relent.that oppressive temperatures are roasting their bottom line. The scorching heat is driving customers off of patios, and in some cases, away from dining out altogether.
The owners of fried chicken restaurant Krazy Katsu, which operates from a repurposed train car, said their July business was down 50% from the prior month.Cranking up the agony, this summer's extreme heat comes as restaurants are still trying to recover from the prolonged COVID-19 slump. During the pandemic, many also repurposed their assets to offer more outdoor seating — a move they now may regret.
While outdoor cooling systems such as high-pressure misting fans and industrial-style swamp coolers can make patios more inviting for guests, they can set buyers back thousands of dollars, according to Forrest Woods, owner of JetStream Outdoor Cooling. And that's before installation costs and annual maintenance.
"You have to worry about the southern breeze direction," Woods said."You have to worry about the distance of the mist before it hits people and gets them wet."