The end of the pandemic: the return of all-you-can-eat buffets

If the pandemic had reached the point of pulling the rug out from under the feet of all-you-can-eat buffets, the latter would have seen a jump in traffic since the lifting of sanitary measures, even surpassing pre-pandemic visits.

“People wanted to get back to buffets,” said CEO of American buffet chain Golden Corral, Lance Trenary, in an interview with “Restaurant Business,” according to CNN Business on Friday.

In fact, diners have reportedly flocked to the buffets since they reopened, so much so that major US chains — Golden Corral, Cicis and Pizza Ranch — reported a 125% increase in visits last March, compared to January 2021, according to American media.

This data comes from Placer.ai, an online tool that tracks foot traffic at restaurants and stores.

At Golden Corral, sales would have started to pick up again around March 2022, hitting a 14% increase last year over pre-pandemic data, it was reported.

But their growing popularity is also a symptom of inflation, which is pushing more middle-class and lower-income families toward all-you-can-eat buffets, Placer says. Thus, the increase in crowds will be closely related to food prices in supermarkets, according to CNN.

“It shows people are looking for value,” said RJ Hottovy, Placer’s head of analytical research.