Local Restaurants Reflect on Post-World Cup Impact
The Missouri Restaurant Association recently conducted a survey on the effects of the World Cup on local dining establishments, revealing that many businesses faced challenges during the event. According to Jenna Thompson from the K.C. STAR, out of 39 respondents representing 119 restaurants in the Kansas City area, over half—specifically 51.3%—reported a decline in both customer numbers and revenue. In contrast, 38.5% saw no significant change, while 10.3% experienced an uptick in traffic.
Treyton Meyers, Director of Communications for the Missouri Restaurant Association, explained that the survey aimed to provide insights rather than dampen the celebratory spirit of the World Cup. He emphasized the importance of understanding how major events affect local businesses. Many restaurant owners expressed that they would have preferred more realistic traffic expectations. Some noted that optimistic predictions led them to hire additional staff, while many locals chose to stay in rather than dine out.
Despite the challenges, restaurant owners don’t view the event as a total loss. Meyers noted that all restaurateurs acknowledged the World Cup brought positive attention to the city, even if the benefits didn’t extend fully to the hospitality sector.
Planning for Future Events
In Kansas City, a key focus for the organization KC2026 is managing the after-effects of the World Cup. James Dornbrook reported that a critical task is collecting invoices for security expenditures and applying for grants to cover those costs. Lindsey Douglas, COO of KC2026, is leading this effort with help from the Mid-America Regional Council. They are compiling after-action reports to evaluate the event’s logistics and develop a template for future happenings.
Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, stated that the team’s main priority right now is assessment. They are busy gathering data on various aspects such as transportation, safety protocols, joint operations, and communication plans to learn from this experience for the future. The organization is also in the process of finalizing financial statements, completing audits, and submitting tax paperwork.
