Study Reports More Than Half Of Restaurants Couldn't Pay September Rent

Alignable’s September Rent Report is out and highlights grim news for small business operators when it comes to paying rent. In September, 35 percent of small businesses in the U.S. couldn’t pay their rent. It was worse for restaurant operators, 51 percent of them couldn’t make rent.

Here are some highlights from the study:

• In September, 35% of small businesses in the U.S. (up 5% from August) couldn’t pay their rent. Many cited the surge in Delta variant cases, as a leading reason for the issue, along with rising inflation, and an ongoing labor shortage.
• For restaurants and other industries that require in-person contact, the rates of rent problems were particularly severe in September. For the first time in six months, the majority of restaurant owners (51%) couldn’t pay their full rent (up 6% from August).
• Percentages also increased for massage therapists (48%, up 26% from August), beauty salons (46%, up 5%), construction company owners (42%, up 11% from August), retailers (40%, up 3% from August), and gyms (38%, up 5% from August).
• The state with the highest rate of small business rent delinquency is now Michigan (43%).
• 80 percent of renters responding to the poll said they’ve received no help from landlords, in terms of rent reductions, delays, or other even assistance in applying for PPP loans.

Read more at Alignable’s September Rent Report.