Brazilian consumer behavior in restaurants during the pandemic: practical implications

The Covid-19 pandemic situation brought several challenges to Brazilian consumers, especially in the food and catering sector. For greater control of the pandemic, the Brazilian government has implemented a set of laws and regulations with the aim of containing the spread of the virus. The closure of restaurants, as well as the ban on the sale of food and beverages, led consumers to change their buying habits, as well as the emergence of innovative ways of selling these products to customers. This study aims to identify changes in consumer behavior during the pandemic period in restaurants located in the state of Bahia, Brazil. As for the methodology, quantitative research was used, with the application of an online questionnaire, made available on google forms; we get a final sample of 123 consumers of food and beverages, residents in the state of Bahia. The data obtained by applying the questionnaire revealed some changes in consumer behavior during the pandemic: adaptations in the way of buying and consuming food, as well as a reduction in trips to restaurants due to the increased use of mobile applications in shopping habits and a greater concern with hygiene habits.