Mark Kurlyandchik | Detroit Free Press

USA TODAY, Wochit

A recent survey measuring the impact of COVID-19 on Michigan's restaurant industry estimates the state's dining establishments lost $491 million in sales and 72,000 jobs in the first 22 days of March alone.

Those are the results of a survey by the National Restaurant Association in conjunction with the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA), which represents more than 5,000 hospitality establishments in the state.

“Some of the early data that we've seen back is grim," said MRLA President and CEO Justin Winslow. "More than one in 10 restaurants will not make it through this."

Those are the numbers reflected in this early report, but the outlook is even grimmer.

Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press

"We’ve been using the number one-third, if this will be as prolonged as it feels like it's going to be," Winslow said, citing the projected number of restaurants that could close permanently. "We don’t know that for sure yet. But the longer it goes, the higher that number is going to be.

"One-third of restaurants — you’re getting into 6,000-location territory. That’s kind of hard to wrap your head around. Six thousand businesses are going to close as a result of this. ... And through no fault of their own."

The MRLA estimates that Michigan's hospitality industry employed almost 600,000 people and accounted for $40 billion in annual sales.

But that was before COVID-19.

According to the latest survey, 84% of Michigan restaurants experienced a slowdown in year-over-year business during the first three weeks of March, just as the novel coronavirus was beginning to spread in the state. Seven percent reported flat sales, while 9% actually saw an increase.

Nearly two-thirds — 62% — of Michigan restaurants reported laying off staff during the same time period and almost half of those surveyed plan to lay off employees in the next 30 days.