6 chains that are positioned to survive the restaurant apocalypse sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, according to experts and analysts

Irene Jiang / Business Insider

Wingstop is in a good position to survive the restaurant apocalypse.

• As restaurants struggle amid the coronavirus pandemic, experts say that certain chains will not only survive but could even thrive.
• Pizza chains including Papa John's and Domino's are well-positioned, as people order more delivery.
• While the casual dining industry is struggling, BTIG analyst Peter Saleh says that Texas Roadhouse and Darden Restaurants, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse's parent company, are in the best place to weather the storm.
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As many restaurant chains prepare for the apocalypse, some are more prepared to weather the storm than others.

The restaurant industry lost an estimated $25 billion in sales and more than three million jobs, in the first 22 days of March, according to the National Restaurant Association (NRA). The NRA found in a survey last week that 3% of restaurants had already closed permanently, and that another 11% planned to do so within the next 30 days.

"The ones that win, or relative winners, are restaurants with drive-thrus, restaurants that have big delivery business, restaurants who do a lot of take-out business - who are known for takeout," BTIG analyst Peter Saleh told Business Insider. "If you're mostly an in-dining room type restaurant, I think you're going to struggle."

Here are six chains that Saleh and other experts say are best positioned to weather the restaurant apocalypse.

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