With the arrival of spring and the expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations, more and more people are feeling the urge to spend time with family, friends and colleagues. Last year, outdoor dining offered the opportunity for folks to get out of the house and enjoy a meal. With indoor dining capacity limits still in place due to the ongoing pandemic, restaurants are once again offering outdoor options. In many cases they have upped their game, expanding their spaces to accommodate increased capacity and constructing permanent or semi-permanent structures – complete with elegant décor, lighting and plenty of heaters or fire pits.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis that has affected every aspect of daily life. Not only has it taken a devastating toll on our personal lives, but it has had a dramatic impact on businesses and the economy. Even as things are slowly beginning to improve, new challenges continue to make it difficult for businesses to plan and move forward with predictability and confidence. Unexpected events, like the severe winter storms in Texas and the stranding of a giant cargo ship in the Suez Canal, have led to major disruptions in the supply chain. As this affects the flow of raw materials and finished goods, it is leading to shortages of both – here in the U.S. and around the world.