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California Pizza Kitchen files for bankruptcy

The company, which expects to emerge from Chapter 11 proceedings in less than three months, filed for bankruptcy as part of its agreement with lenders that will help it equitize a vast majority of its debt. 

Dunkin' may shutter 800 US stores by year's end

More than 50% of these closures are in Speedway c-stores that were previously announced in February, but the chain says all places on the chopping block are in "low-volume sales locations."

Yum grows digital sales $1B globally

Digital sales made up 30% of the company's global sales mix in Q2, bolstered by its launch of a tech team and various delivery and online assets. 

McDonald's boosts marketing budget by $200M to drive recovery

The increase comes after the company slashed marketing spend by 70% in Q2, giving it a "sizable marketing war chest" for the remainder of the year. 

47% of operators say moving to online ordering is their biggest challenge

This is particularly true for the majority of fine dining and upscale restaurants that didn't offer online ordering prior to the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to an Upserve survey. 

Wingstop reports best quarter since IPO in 2015

The company's digital strategy, which included free delivery promotions and opening ghost kitchens, helped the chain boost its digital transactions to nearly 64% of sales during Q2. 

As Congress considers $1T stimulus package, restaurant groups push for targeted relief

The GOP-proposed package would include additional funding for a new round of PPP loans, but the qualifications would leave a lot of restaurants behind.

Starbucks US same-store sales plummet 40% as diner routines change

Executives noted the volatility of the pandemic could continue to undermine sales, and the company predicts U.S. same-store sales declines of 12% to 17% for the year. 

McDonald's to exit more than 100 Walmart stores

The fast food giant plans to close 200 under-performing outlets, more than half of which are located inside Walmart locations.

Breakfast continues to drag McDonald's sales

Much like other QSRs, a lack of commuters significantly impacted McDonald's morning daypart, but the chain plans to invest in the growing segment coming out of the pandemic. 

DoorDash partners with fintech BlueVine to process PPP applications for merchants

Nearly 200 restaurant owners have collectively received more than $6 million in PPP loans through the collaboration since late April. Most recipients are independent restaurants.

McDonald's drive-thrus allowed its US restaurants to largely stay open

Drive-thru business made up 90% of McDonald's U.S. sales during Q2 2020, which is helping those markets recover more quickly. 

Major QSRs hiking delivery menu prices by over 15%

Chains like McDonald's, Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, which offer low-ticket items, are among those more likely to charge higher prices for items ordered via delivery, according to Gordon Haskett analysis. 

Popeyes urges fans to prank family members with autocorrect campaign

In a ploy to turn pizza lovers into fried chicken fans, the QSR is asking people to edit "pizza" into "Popeyes instead of pizza" using the autocorrect feature on smartphones.

NRA urges local leaders to keep restaurants open

In a letter to governors and mayors, the National Restaurant Association writes that "bad actors" do not represent the industry and closing restaurants down again hinders its recovery.

Papa John's is hiring 10K more employees

This will bring the pizza chain's recent hiring blitz to 30,000 total new positions, a move that follows robust same-store sales growth in June. 

McDonald's pauses dining room reopenings, will require diners to wear masks

The chain's new face covering requirement will be effective Aug. 1 in its nearly 14,000 U.S. restaurants, and its dining room reopening plans have been delayed to Aug. 23. 

Coronavirus exacerbates racial wage gap for tipped workers, report finds

Black women tipped workers make almost $5 less than white men tipped workers in the U.S, a One Fair Wage study shows. 

Black business owners discouraged from applying for PPP loans, study says

Roughly 75% of all PPP loans did not include any demographic information because that information was not provided by the borrowers, but 41% of Black-owned businesses shuttered operations between February and April. 

McDonald's franchisee settles claim that 'people manager' harassed 16-year-old employee

The agreement also requires Par Ventures to revise its policy on sexual harassment and conduct training for all employees.

Dunkin' creates new chief digital officer role as it doubles down on tech, mobile offerings

The position oversees digital marketing and media, consumer insights and IT transformation — areas seeing growing demand under the pandemic.

Coronavirus has already shuttered 16K restaurants, Yelp says

As restaurants grapple with trying to stay in business, Yelp's latest data shows that in states like Florida and Texas, a 50% rise in consumer interest in dining out in May preceded COVID-19 outbreaks in June.

Chipotle surpasses $1B in digital sales despite same-store sale declines

Digital sales skyrocketed 216% to $829.3 million during Q2, revealing a bright spot for the company despite its first drop in same-store sales in several years.

Strong franchisee relationships key to restaurant chain survival

From hosting daily calls to providing need-to-know information, restaurants are working closely with operators to adapt to market changes as the pandemic progresses.

Wendy's launches loyalty program as part of digital growth

The initiative, which will reward customers no matter how they order, is part of the chain's plans to make digital sales 10% of overall sales by 2024.