The restaurants described in the article are mid-level chains. It could be that the dining dollars will migrate down market to fast food as they did in the acknowledged recession of 2008.
Know a guy who does security cameras. He did a bunch of installs for a chicken place (think KFC).
On average they saved $13,000 a month installing the cameras by stopping employee theft.
Apparently the ‘workers’ were calling up relatives, friends, cousins and saying,”Come on get yo free chicken!”
$13,000 a month per location.
Another restaurant owner I know installed a camera on his meat locker. Had too many steaks disappear.
Local restaurants, with more creative concepts and menus, are packed regularly where I live. national chains like Outback steakhouse and others, not so much. I think people who do have money to spend on eating/entertainiment, have gotten more discerning.