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. 

By Julie Littman • July 30, 2020

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."

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 30, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Menu development

Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

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. 

By Robert Williams • July 30, 2020

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.

By Jessica Dumont • July 29, 2020

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. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2020

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. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2020

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. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 29, 2020

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.

By Robert Williams • July 28, 2020

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.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 28, 2020

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. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 27, 2020

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.

By Peter Adams • July 24, 2020

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.

By Julie Littman • July 23, 2020

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.

By Julie Littman • July 22, 2020

Pret A Manger accused of daily use of racial slur by manager, co-workers

After complaining, the Black employee said she was given reduced hours and passed over for promotions.

By Lisa Burden • July 22, 2020

Danny Meyer's restaurant group eliminates no-tipping policy

Union Square Hospitality Group is moving away from its controversial "Hospitality Included" model amid the pandemic so employees have the chance to access extra compensation from diner tips.  

By Alicia Kelso • July 21, 2020

Potbelly hires CEO following months of sales declines

Robert Wright, a former Wendy's executive, joins the brand after it endured a 68% drop in same-store sales in March, which improved to a 20% decrease in May. 

By Julie Littman • July 21, 2020

Fiesta Restaurant Group bets on expanded off-premise as part of recovery

With Q2 same-store sales down 31.6% and 19.2% for Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, respectively, the brands are focusing on growing delivery, curbside and pickup options.

By Alicia Kelso • July 17, 2020

Dunkin' commits to P&G cleaning products to lure customers back inside

Co-branded stickers will appear on front doors, drive-thrus and in restrooms of participating locations to indicate frequent cleaning with brands like Comet.

By Dianna Christie • July 17, 2020

Kura Sushi reports $9.2M net loss in Q3

The sushi chain was hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, bypassing analysts' predictions of $6.5 million lost.

By Alicia Kelso • July 16, 2020

9 campaigns that show how mobile marketers pivoted in the pandemic during H1

The year's best campaigns so far, including marketing by Chipotle and KFC, came in the wake of the pandemic's changes to the landscape as marketers rushed to meet consumers in digital channels.

By Chris Kelly , Chantal Tode , Peter Adams • July 16, 2020

Pandemic helped grow Domino's US same-store sales 16.1%

The pizza chain had its best quarter in the last nine-plus years, driven by an increase in food delivery and digital orders, which made up almost 75% of domestic sales.

By Julie Littman • July 16, 2020

Chipotle to hire 10K more employees to support digital growth

The hiring blitz follows approximately 8,000 new hires at the chain since May, an uptick that coincides with an over 80% increase in online sales during Q1.

By Alicia Kelso • July 15, 2020

Burger King explains dangers of cow farts in video starring viral yodeling kid

An educational spot promotes new low-methane emission beef burgers from the chain that's steadily introduced more meatless options.

By Peter Adams • July 14, 2020

BurgerFi's president talks going public, 'massive expansion' amid pandemic

Restaurant closures are creating opportunities for the fast casual chain to grow nationwide, says Charles Guzzetta.

By Julie Littman • July 14, 2020

New McDonald's flagship runs 100% on renewable energy

The new restaurant, located near Disney's All-Star Resorts in Orlando, Florida, is part of the brand's push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36% by 2030. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 13, 2020