Changes in Food Service Operations in a Brazilian Tourist Area: A Longitudinal Approach to the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on food service operations in a Brazilian tourist area. It is a longitudinal observational study. Data collection was performed through telephone interviews with owners or managers of 54 food service establishments concerning the pre-pandemic period (T0) and two time points during the pandemic (T1 and T2). Findings revealed a reduction in the number of establishments providing on-site service at T1 compared to T0, followed by an increase at T2. A reduction in operating hours (56.7%) and profits (100%) affected more establishments at T1 than at T2 (26.7% and 76.7%, respectively) (p < 0.05). At T2, with the resumption of in-person activities, there was a significant decrease in the use of sales channels such as telephone (p < 0.001), messaging applications (p = 0.0012), and websites/apps/social media (p = 0.009) compared to T0 and T1. The pandemic also caused an increase in mask use by employees (p < 0.01) and the availability of hand sanitizer dispensers at establishments (p < 0.01) during T1 and T2. At T2, there was also an increase in the supply of disposable cutlery, cups (p = 0.02), and gloves for customers (p = 0.015) compared to the pre-pandemic period.