Although the waysides are opening around the usual time in March/April, the SNP webpage shows that they will only open for retail sales with food service delayed until summer. For example, the Loft Mountain wayside opens for retail on April 15 but only offers food service starting July 1. This is likely to be disappointing for many thru hikers. My assumption is that the ongoing labor shortages and wage inflation has caused the concessionaire to calculate that they are better off not operating food service until the peak of summer. Unfortunate.
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/hours.htm