The past year has been a textbook case on risk mitigation. “We never in a million years thought this could happen,” could have been shouted from a mountain top in March 2020’s economic shutdown – and nearly all of us would have agreed.

 

Not surprising, most firms were ill-prepared for the pandemic. 

 

Then this week, a major gasoline pipeline supplying fuel to the United States was attacked and inflation hit highs not experienced since George W. Bush’s last few months in office.

 

Rising Prices, Shortages in April

The BLS reported that core CPI increased 3% in April 2021 from the same period in 2020 and 0.9% on a monthly basis. The respective estimates were 2.3% and 0.3%. This increase was the fastest since September 2008, while the monthly gain in core inflation was the largest since 1981 (however, the Covid pandemic distorted year-over-year comparisons).

 

Prices at the pump, which fell 1.4% in April, have resumed their climb in May, with the national average eclipsing $3 a gallon for the first time since November 2014, according to AAA. Further rises are likely from Friday’s cyberattack that shut down Colonial Pipeline’s main transmission line from Houston to New Jersey.

 

The 1970s Oil Shortage

Nearly 50 years ago, The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC said it would halt all oil exports to America while cutting overall production. At the time, OPEC accounted for an average of two-thirds of American oil imports.

 

What followed was a massive nationwide gas shortage and panic. Fearful of shortages of gasoline, Americans lined up at the pump to refuel while gas stations raised their prices several times per day. The gas lines exposed the panic that set in during the embargo as motorists worried that if they did not fill up today, then the price might be higher tomorrow. 

 

The “Panic” Effect on Restaurants

 

Fear and uncertainty are drags on consumer sentiment and spending. As we’ve said many times, restaurant visits are driven by the disposable income and a general financial confidence in patrons at any given time.

 

Inflation and Scarcity Are Problematic to Restaurants

 

Factor Implications
Consumer Confidence Higher prices affect consumer sentiment. Consumers are less likely to eat out if they feel financially strapped.
Disposable Income The price of fuel impacts consumer disposable income directly and indirectly.
Transportation Costs Passenger cars may be moving toward electric power, but commercial vehicles rely on fossil fuels and keep the supply chain moving.
Food Costs Higher fuel costs impact transportation costs, which ultimately raise food costs.
Delivery Fees/Surcharges When fuel prices hit $5 a gallon in 2007, fuel surcharges took effect. Expect the same to occur today.

 

Many experts believe the rise in inflation and the impact of the pipeline’s attack will be short-lived, and we tend to agree. However, we recommend managers always update and plan for the worst-case scenarios (think the most impactful but with the least probability) for peace of mind.

 

Tim Powell is a Managing Principal of Foodservice IP. Tim serves as a trusted foodservice adviser to management at several food companies.

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