Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from the U.S. restaurant industry

Hyoung Ju Song, Jihwan Yeon, Seoki Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

253 Scopus citations

Abstract

The current study examines how the effect of COVID-19 on U.S. restaurant firms’ stock returns varies according to the firms’ pre-pandemic characteristics by employing three firm-level dimensions (financial conditions, corporate strategies, and ownership structure). Employing 795 firm-year observations obtained from annual reports and other databases, this study found that restaurant firms with past characteristics of larger size, more leverage, more cash flows, less ROA, and more internationalization are more resilient to stock declines reacting to COVID-19 than otherwise similar firms. Whereas, dividend, franchising, institutional ownership, and managerial ownership did not show any significant moderating effect on the relationship between COVID-19 and stock returns. This study sheds light on the research topic by providing insights into drivers of restaurant firm's stock returns during the COVID-19 shock. Future studies can employ the variables and method used in the current study to extend the understanding of the issue.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number102702
JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management
Volume92
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
  • Strategy and Management

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