The editorial from Ilta-Sanomat highlights the ongoing transformation within the Finnish restaurant industry, which has been fundamentally altered since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry stakeholders—businesses, employees, and customers—are acutely aware of the implications of what is termed "creative destruction" in the economy. As the industry grapples with these changes, it remains uncertain whether the outcome will lean more towards innovation or decline, emphasizing that the change is still underway and requires careful observation.

One significant factor influencing this transformation is the change in consumer spending habits, where dining out has become less frequent, and home delivery of restaurant food is rising in popularity. This shift reflects broader economic concerns, as people tend to tighten their budgets amidst uncertainty. The trend towards ordering food for home consumption rather than dining in restaurants highlights a crucial change in consumer preferences that has been accelerated by recent events.

Additionally, the rise of modern delivery services, which gained momentum during the pandemic and the increase in remote work, has revolutionized the way public consumes meals. While the decrease in traditional restaurant dining coincided with the emergence of delivery services in urban landscapes, the editorial cautions against assuming a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The implications of these changes are profound, as they reshape the restaurant landscape and consumer expectations moving forward, potentially impacting the survival and growth of many establishments in Finland.