Popeyes chicken sandwich continues to boost sales during pandemic

Same-store sales increased to 28.5% in the U.S. during the second quarter while average sales per restaurant reached $1.7 million with help from the menu item. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 6, 2020

Delivery partnerships, customer acquisition help Papa John's SSS grow 28% in Q2

The pizza chain added over 3 million new customers on digital channels alone, and saw increased retention and repeat rates among these diners.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 6, 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

Wendy's breakfast makes up 8% of US Q2 sales

Despite being the most challenged daypart during the pandemic, the chain reported strong margins and sales growth, and plans to invest $15 million to advertise the menu during the last half of 2020.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2020

45% of consumers less likely to order from Starbucks because of initial BLM policy, study finds

Nearly 21% of consumers said they will actively try to avoid buying from brands that restrict employees from expressing support for the movement, and 51% said they are less likely to buy from these companies, according to DealAid data.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 5, 2020

Chipotle debuts branded apparel dyed with recycled avocados

Available at a microsite, the line supports sustainability at a time when fast fashion is often associated with negatively impacting the environment.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 4, 2020

Domino's promotes Art D'Elia to marketing chief

The move comes as the chain is reaping the benefits of a strong digital focus as stay-at-home orders prompt consumers to order in rather than dine out.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 3, 2020

Grubhub says pandemic is 'permanent catalyst' for business as revenue rises 41%

The delivery platform said its corporate business was hardest hit by the pandemic, but it added thousands of chain restaurants in Q2. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 31, 2020

12 North Carolina McDonald's restaurants fined for alleged child labor law violations

It’s not uncommon for fast food chains to face allegations of such missteps, and others like Qdoba, Chipotle and Wendy's have paid similar fines in the past year.

By Katie Clarey • July 31, 2020

Taco Bell operator sued for withholding overtime pay from misclassified employees

The assistant general manager position required "housekeeping, customer service, cash handling, food preparation, and other non-exempt work," according to the lawsuit.

By Lisa Burden • July 31, 2020

Pret A Manger shutters 17 stores in Boston and Chicago

With more Americans working remotely, the chain, which dropped sales by 87% YTD, has shifted its focus to offering group meals for pickup and delivery and plans to launch order ahead. 

By Julie Littman • July 31, 2020

Shake Shack's digital sales doubled in Q2, but same-store sales declined sharply

As part of its expansion into new formats, the burger chain expects to open its first drive-thru next year in a suburban neighborhood.

By Alicia Kelso • July 31, 2020

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

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