Off-premise may be key to casual dining relief, BTIG research suggests

While sales declines across the casual dining segment are severe, the trend has been steadily improving by an average of 5% per week.

By Alicia Kelso • April 28, 2020

Lenders get 2nd chance to correct PPP flaws

Despite some negative press, the first rollout of the SBA program has let some banks prove they can help their customers even in the worst of times, said David Zaring, a Wharton professor of legal studies and business ethics.

By Anna Hrushka • April 28, 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

States begin easing dine-in restrictions, but are restaurants ready to reopen?

Restaurants are formulating plans to ramp up operations as states like Georgia and Tennessee ease restrictions, but many think it's too soon. 

By Julie Littman • April 27, 2020

Former workers sue Hooters alleging it failed to give proper notice of mass layoff

The plaintiffs alleged the company violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act when it laid off hundreds.

By Lisa Burden • April 27, 2020

Sonic Drive-In spurs 5x more app downloads with RCS pilot

The fast-food chain saw a customer registration rate that was three times higher for recipients using rich messaging than for more standard MMS.

By Robert Williams • April 27, 2020

Burger King links TV ad with QR code to offer up free Whoppers

In a pair of offers, the QSR urges mobile users to scan a QR code that appears in TV ads and asks them to share screenshots of video calls with friends.

By Robert Williams • April 27, 2020

McDonald's shareholders want to oust chairman over Easterbrook exit package

CtW Investment Group argues the board showed poor leadership when offering the former CEO a generous exit deal even though he violated company policy. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 27, 2020

Chipotle CFO: 'Our worst days have passed'

By revamping its business around online advertisements and free delivery, Chipotle has weathered the pandemic better than many restaurant chains. But what will its dining experience look like next year?

By Jane Thier • April 24, 2020

Potbelly will return $10M in PPP funding

The Treasury Department issued guidance April 23 requesting that publicly traded companies repay their Paycheck Protection Program loans by May 7. Returned funds will be allocated for new loans for other qualified applicants.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 27, 2020

Denny's gets into gaming with presence on multiplayer platforms

The casual dining chain's Dennys247 account is on Nintendo's Switch, Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PS4.

By Robert Williams • April 23, 2020

Red Lobster offers custom Zoom backgrounds, Spotify playlist for date nights

The restaurant hopes to drive sales by offering takeout menus and virtual ambience for those looking to recreate the experience of eating out on a date.

By Dianna Christie • April 23, 2020

Chipotle to pay $25M in largest-ever food safety fine

The settlement with the Department of Justice stems from the company's foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 22, 2020

The Cheesecake Factory receives $200M private equity investment

The cash from Roark Capital will provide the dining chain, which furloughed 41,000 workers in March, with much needed funding to get through the novel coronavirus pandemic.

By Julie Littman • April 21, 2020

Shake Shack is returning its $10M in PPP funding

The burger chain, which laid off or furloughed more than 1,000 employees last week, said Sunday that it has access to capital to fill the gap instead.

By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • April 20, 2020

Starbucks will phase out Catastrophe Pay as US stores reopen

The chain said that it will start to open locations May 4 on a community-by-community basis, but will phase out some of its additional benefits in June. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2020

Shift Change: McDonald's, Potbelly, MOD and Jack in the Box make C-suite hires

After a lull across restaurants over the last few weeks, several major chains made big executive appointments.

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2020

Bloomin' Brands will open 1st drive-thru Aussie Grill in May

The new Florida location marks the third U.S. store for the fast casual Outback concept, but the first to feature a drive-thru and indoor seating.

By Lauren Manning • April 17, 2020

Sales at over 77% of restaurants have declined by 50%

Two-thirds of those surveyed say they are uncertain that takeout or delivery will be enough to sustain their businesses until they are able to reopen, according to a James Beard Foundation report.

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2020

Jack in the Box names new CEO

Darin Harris, former CEO of Cici's Pizza, will face an uphill battle at the QSR, which has been battered by poor franchisee relations and must now survive the novel coronavirus crisis. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 17, 2020

ChowNow, Instagram launch commission-free online food ordering

Online ordering platform ChowNow partnered with the social media platform to enable restaurants to add "Order Food" buttons to their profiles and Stories.  

By Alicia Kelso • April 16, 2020

Potbelly, MOD Pizza hire CFOs in show of mid-pandemic optimism

The two fast casual companies have their eyes on the future with the naming of new finance chiefs. MOD Pizza's Josh Guenser shares how he's balancing his onboarding with crisis planning.

By Jane Thier • April 16, 2020

Chick-fil-A goes cashless at some store locations

Restaurants in Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Virginia and Maryland are only accepting credit cards to stem the spread of COVID-19.

By Lauren Manning • April 15, 2020

Judge denies McDonald's motion to dismiss $500M sexual harassment suit

The chain had argued the class-action lawsuit's claims were too broad and the allegations at one restaurant couldn't stretch to complaints of systemwide culture issues. 

By Sheryl Estrada • Updated July 21, 2021

Yelp cuts about 35% of employees

CEO Jeremy Stoppelman wrote in a letter to employees that consumer interest in restaurants, the platform's most popular category, plummeted 64% since March 10, sparking layoffs and furloughs.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 9, 2020

Bloomin' Brands, Jana Partners end dispute

The casual dining company will add two independent directors to the board, effective July 1, ending a months-long battle with the activist investor. 

By Julie Littman • April 9, 2020