McDonald’s reopening requirements saddle operators with more costs

The chain's 59-page reopening guide for its U.S. restaurants includes purchasing recommendations for a $718 touchless sink and $310 automatic towel dispenser, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 15, 2020

Bankrupt Krystal sold to Fortess Investment Group for $48M

With healthy M&A all but paused during the pandemic, distressed company sales are likely to be among the handful of deals to occur this year. 

By Julie Littman • May 15, 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

Starbucks seeks rent relief for a full year

In a letter written by Starbucks COO Roz Brewer and obtained by Restaurant Business, the company asked its landlords for 12 months of rent breaks for its corporate-owned units beginning in June.  

By Alicia Kelso • May 14, 2020

McDonald's will boost US marketing $100M as dining rooms reopen

It's unclear what future marketing promotions will look like, though the fast-food behemoth is likely to highlight safety precautions early on to address consumer concerns about eating in restaurants.

By Robert Williams • May 14, 2020

Potbelly could permanently close up to 100 stores

About 90% of the shops under consideration for closure were impaired before the pandemic and are even more challenged today, CFO Steve Cirulis said on an earnings call. 

By Julie Littman • May 13, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings unveils its first 'GO' store in Atlanta

The new concept, which will open Wednesday, features heated pickup lockers to service guests who order ahead via the brand's mobile app.

By Lauren Manning • May 12, 2020

Chipotle secures $600M in cash

The fast casual chain is the latest to secure cash from a revolving credit line, joining the likes of McDonald's and Yum Brands in using this tactic to weather the economic storm from the novel coronavirus pandemic.

By Alicia Kelso • May 11, 2020

Burger King will test reservations in Italy

The chain expects to begin the pilot June 1 at three Milan restaurants. If successful, the app could be used in other countries. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 7, 2020

Chick-fil-A to reopen some restaurants in coming weeks

The chicken chain will install plexiglass at the front counters and add floor decals every six feet both inside and outside as it begins offering carryout. 

By Julie Littman • May 7, 2020

Famous Dave's parent secures $13M PPP loan

After new restrictions on lending were put in place for public companies, BBQ Holdings remained eligible because it is considered a nano-cap business, with a capitalization below $50 million. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 6, 2020

Uber Eats to leave 8 global markets

Uber will shutter its food delivery operations in the Czech Republic, Egypt, Honduras, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates. 

By Julie Littman • May 6, 2020

Shake Shack will add drive-thrus, pickup windows to restaurants

The new "Shack Track" store remodels are designed with social distancing in mind, but CEO Randy Garutti didn't disclose how many locations will be overhauled. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 6, 2020

McDonald's gives 10% bonus to employees working in company-owned stores

In addition to the bonus pay for working amid the pandemic, an internal memo obtained by Business Insider said franchisees should offer an emergency relief fund. 

By Thai Phi Le , Emma Liem Beckett • May 6, 2020

18% of Wendy's restaurants aren't serving hamburgers, report finds

Wendy's CEO Todd Penegor said on an earnings call Wednesday that the chain's beef supply is likely to experience a "couple of weeks of challenging tightness." 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated May 7, 2020

KFC hosts virtual Mother's Day dinners on Facebook Messenger

The chain created a virtual Mother's Day experience to help people celebrate the occasion while the pandemic keeps them apart.

By Robert Williams • May 5, 2020

Dave & Buster's raises $100M from stock sale

The sale to Jeffries will bolster its balance sheet as the chain struggles, recently closing all of its 137 locations and furloughing 15,000 hourly workers. 

By Julie Littman • May 5, 2020

BJ's receives $70M investment from Ron Shaich's firm

The funds from Act III Holdings will help the casual dining chain, which laid off 16,000 hourly employees in April, bring back its staff and reopen dining rooms. 

By Julie Littman • May 4, 2020

McDonald's primes supply chain for potential meat shortage

The chain is now limiting allocation of its meat supply as the U.S. faces potential shortages due to slaughterhouse closures.

By Alicia Kelso • May 1, 2020

Taco Bell, Chipotle adjust marketing around Cinco de Mayo amid coronavirus

One is leaning into an influencer-led TikTok activation, while the other is translating its experiential expertise to an at-home environment.

By Peter Adams • May 1, 2020

Popeyes chicken sandwich boosts quarter despite coronavirus pressure

Even during the pandemic, the chicken sandwich's popularity didn't wane. Comp sales were up 26.2% globally while traffic grew 40% during Q1 2020.

By Julie Littman • May 1, 2020

Starbucks to rev up marketing as US stores gradually reopen

The chain says it will keep spend within the 2020 advertising budget but squeeze those efforts into an accelerated schedule, as it uses a "monitor and adapt" strategy to reopen stores.

By Robert Williams • May 1, 2020

Chick-fil-A will launch a meal kit nationwide next week

Two years after its initial meal kit test in Atlanta, the chain expects more than half of its system to offer the $14.99 heat-and-eat chicken parmesan meal.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 1, 2020

Cosi sues SBA for barring it from PPP funding

The chain argues that the Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline needed to maintain its business and it shouldn't have been restricted from the loans based on its February bankruptcy

By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2020

McDonald's franchisees frustrated with chain's coronavirus response, survey shows

Some operators argue that rent deferrals are not enough to help them survive as performance lags, per a Kalinowski Equity Research report.

By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2020

5 steps restaurants should take before bringing back staff

Before restaurants consider reopening their dining rooms, experts say operators should review payroll practices, rehire based on seniority and develop ways to monitor employee health.

By Julie Littman • April 29, 2020