FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The aim of the paper is to present the ways in which entrepreneurs in the food service industry react to the pandemic, evaluate the efficiency of their actions, and suggest the most effective solutions to the market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The study used the descriptive analysis method, Pearson correlation survey method, and logical inference. Based on literature analysis and observations, questions were formulated for a survey for Polish entrepreneurs in the food service industry. The sample of surveyed entrepreneurs was selected by systematic random sampling from a group of entrepreneurs who promoted their enterprises through social media channels between 2019 and 2020. Among the surveyed enterprises, there is a positive correlation with undertaking activities concerning online brand image development and satisfaction with profits. Introducing their own deliveries during the pandemic, food service enterprises showed a negative correlation with profit growth. Enterprises that chose not to run their own supply networks, but consistently develop their brand image online, showed a positive correlation with increased satisfaction with earned profits. Analyzing the results of the study one can find some correlations. Enterprises which do not run their own supply networks, but instead consistently work on their brand image in the network and cooperate with enterprises operating in accordance with the sharing economy model, are doing well in times of the crisis. Enterprises that conduct their activities in accordance with the described assumptions showed a strong positive correlation with increased satisfaction with their net income.