#economic-pressures

#economic-pressures

Asha Wheeldon faced numerous challenges, including COVID-19 and inflation, while striving to maintain her mission of achieving net zero emissions with Kula Foods.

Economic pressures are reshaping consumer behavior, influencing trends in on-premise consumption. Bars and QSRs are experiencing growth, while premium bars are declining.

Chick 'n' Sours' co-founder, David Wolanksi, expressed the struggle of independent operators, stating, 'It feels like the whole system is stacked against independent operators as we are being squeezed from every angle - food inflation, rising wages, relentless rent increases, service charges, and soaring utilities without the deep pockets to ride it out. It's an exhausting, never-ending battle to keep the lights on.'

61% of SMEs believe that focusing on employee welfare and sustainability is critical to long-term success, despite experiencing economic challenges.

Several former employees described the layoff as abrupt and a surprise, with the reason cited as a shaky economy impacting the company's bottom line.