NYC restaurant letter grading (2010)
New York City began requiring restaurants to display letter grades (A, B, C) based on health inspection scores, making food safety results visible to diners at every door.
Restaurants with A grades saw business increase; lower grades drove customers away, pushing operators to fix violations quickly.
The system became a national model, and studies show it improved hygiene compliance across the city's restaurants.
Shows how inspection results can directly shape a restaurant's fortunes, the same dynamic at play when a new Chicago spot races to pass its license inspection.
