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McDonald's stirs up chicken sandwich wars with 3 new entries

The sandwiches fulfill franchisees' demand for competitive new chicken offerings to better compete with Chick-fil-A, which the National Owners Association listed as a top priority in 2019. 

Chuck E. Cheese parent emerges from bankruptcy protection

The company reduced debt obligations by roughly $705 million, and has more than $100 million of liquidity to fund operations and growth plans.

UPDATED: Jan. 4, 2021 at 9:07 a.m.

2020 Trends: Expectations vs. reality

The restaurant industry had great expectations this year, but the pandemic completely changed the market's competitive landscape. Here's how the crisis impacted the trends we originally predicted for the year. 

Chipotle won't mandate employees to get the coronavirus vaccine

CEO Brian Niccol also told CNBC the company will pay for costs associated with the vaccine and will strongly encourage employees to get it. 

McDonald's USA president wants to improve transparency with operators

Joe Erlinger's message comes as tensions over 2021 franchising fees reach a boiling point, with operators agreeing to cut off nonessential communication with corporate and pushing for the formation of a tech co-op. 

How Sonic Drive-In swapped its iconic pitchmen for a 'pandemic-proof' campaign

Chief marketing officer Lori Abou Habib explains how the QSR shifted its focus from its long-running "Two Guys" to real families — right before COVID-19 upended the year.

DOL regs will allow non-tipped workers into tip pools

The bill also, however, makes clear that managers and employers cannot take gratuities meant for employees.

Punch Bowl Social declares bankruptcy after nightmare year for eatertainment

As of Dec. 8, the company was only operating three out of its 14 units with limited capacity. The open venues were losing money on a daily basis and the company has since closed them. 

Deep Dive

5 questions to ask before adopting a coronavirus vaccine policy

While the EEOC all but confirmed employers may require proof that employees have received the COVID-19 vaccine, incentives and education may be preferable to mandates.

10 of the most impactful restaurant M&A deals of 2020

Deal-making slowed to a crawl during the height of the pandemic, but concepts with strong off-premise potential piqued the interest of strategic buyers in the last few months of the year. 

Saladworks parent buys 2 fast casual chains, forms holding company

The acquisition of Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Frutta Bowls has led to the creation of WoWorks, which will focus on brands that serve healthy meals. 

Dive Awards

The Restaurant Dive Awards for 2020

From Chipotle to DoorDash, these are the companies and executives that led restaurant industry innovation in a time of crisis.

Papa John's to give employees $2.5M in end-of-year bonuses

The additional pay will be awarded to 14,000 team members across the company’s corporate restaurants and supply chain.

McDonald's franchisees calls for tech co-op amid new fees, Restaurant Business reports

The National Owners Association's latest push follows news of a $423-per-month technology investment cost added to operators' plates to cover a $70 million "lag" from the old payment structure.

Restaurants left out of new $900B COVID-19 relief package

The Independent Restaurant Coalition said $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program funding will give Congress time to negotiate a more substantial plan in January, but it noted "the bill falls woefully short."

UPDATED: Dec. 22, 2020 at 11:17 a.m.

CDC recommends restaurant workers for early round of COVID-19 vaccine

Quick vaccinations could help jumpstart the industry and get more employees back to work, but questions about when inoculations will occur, and if they will have an impact on restrictions, remain unanswered.

Top 10 employment lawsuits that impacted restaurants in 2020

Pandemic disruption hasn't stopped employment-related lawsuits from showcasing ongoing labor issues, from sexual harassment to gender and race discrimination, that still plague the industry. 

Burger King sends customers $1 via Venmo to push new value menu

The $1 Your Way menu features a lineup of Burger King items all priced at $1, including the brand's take on the bacon cheeseburger and its Chicken Jr. sandwich.

Uber Eats adds benchmarking data to Manager app

The delivery company's service will now provide information that allows restaurants to compare their operations to others in the area. 

UPDATED: Dec. 21, 2020 at 9:13 a.m.

Consumers want curbside, outdoor dining to stay in 2021, survey says

Diners also want to see more creative offerings from restaurants next year, including dinner and movie packages, cooking classes or virtual wine tastings. 

Jack in the Box latest restaurant chain to name new CFO

Timothy Mullany will be filling the role after a six-month search, following a string of CFO departures at Cracker Barrel, Taco Bell and Papa John's. 

Burger King teams up with Google to add online ordering

This integration, which begins Monday at 5,000 restaurants, will allow customers to search for the nearest location, order and pay.

NYC passes 'just cause' job protections for QSR employees

Two bills passed Thursday, with one stating employers must take disciplinary steps before termination and the other requiring seniority be considered during layoffs. 

DC approves rehiring bill for hospitality workers

Restaurants, with some exceptions, will be required to send job offers to employees they laid off during the pandemic when their jobs become available again, per a bill passed by the city council. 

Sweetgreen will open its first drive-thru in 2021

The test location will feature dedicated parking spots where diners can order from intercoms. Customers who want to eat on-premise can dine in their cars or at an outdoor patio area.