Corporate

Shaquille O'Neal ads drive engagement for Papa John's

The NBA star's endorsement is helping the pizza chain rebuild its image and lift delivery orders following founder John Schnatter's ouster.

By Dianna Christie • April 07, 2020

Tracking coronavirus restaurant aid by state

From grants to loans, states across the country have deployed emergency funds that can help restaurants as they make dramatic shifts to their operations to try to keep workers employed and kitchens open.

By Thai Phi Le , Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • April 06, 2020

Restaurants sales could drop 27.1% in worst-case coronavirus scenario, says Technomic

While demand for restaurant meals is still healthy, and the industry can expect a spike when things return to normal, the largest impact will come if there is a second wave of outbreaks in the fall. 

By Julie Littman • April 03, 2020

Dine Brands investor wants to spin off IHOP

Dine Brands' board of directors says that forcing the company into creating a separately traded entity would not be in the best interests of its shareholders.

By Julie Littman • April 03, 2020

Chipotle will give workers nearly $6.5M in discretionary bonuses

The chain also previously raised hourly pay 10% for restaurant employees working between March 16 and April 12. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 03, 2020

Luckin Coffee admits fraud, begins internal investigation

The brand terminated its COO Liu Jian and other employees for fabricating sales between Q2 2019 and Q4 2019.

By Lauren Stine • April 03, 2020

Cheesecake Factory CFO seeks immediate relief; Chipotle CFO says chain can 'last a year'

As the coronavirus pandemic rocks the restaurant industry, chains with established attention to takeout and delivery pull far ahead of traditional sit-down joints. 

By Jane Thier • April 02, 2020

Red Robin ends year-long battle with activist investor

The deal with Vintage Capital includes the appointment of an independent director and allows the investor to acquire up to 20% of the company's stock.

By Julie Littman • April 02, 2020

McDonald's rolls out wellness checks, will test employee temperatures

The company and its franchisees will ask workers a series of health-related questions before they can clock in for shifts.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 02, 2020

Logan's Roadhouse parent lays off staff, changes exec leadership

After closing its restaurants, CraftWorks has terminated 18,000 employees as it attempts to navigate a previously filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

By Lauren Stine • April 02, 2020

Papa John's Q1 same-store sales grew 5.3% despite coronavirus crisis

Like its rivals, the pizza chain has benefited from a surge in delivery demand as states and municipalities close restaurant dining rooms. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 31, 2020

Burger King parent will give operators $70M in cash advancements

Restaurant Brands International is also pausing remodel obligations and deferring rent payments at properties it controls to free up cash for franchisees during the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 31, 2020

Domino's US same-store sales growth drops by half in Q1

Despite some gains, it's less than half of the pizza chain's numbers from Q1 2019, showing the financial drag caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

By Julie Littman • March 31, 2020

Yelp pauses automatic rollout of GoFundMe pages amid restaurant backlash

Restaurant owners took to Twitter to voice their frustration with the practice, which they claim is invasive and could undermine independent fundraising efforts. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 30, 2020

Coronavirus derailing Wendy's strong Q1 sales growth

Sales grew 15% during the first week of the chain's breakfast launch and same-store sales were up 4% in the first two months of the year, only to slide 20% during the week ending March 22. 

By Julie Littman • March 27, 2020

Chipotle raises pay 10% for restaurant workers

The increase, which juxtaposes industrywide layoffs and reduced shifts for front-of-house workers, will be in effect for hourly employees through April 12.

By Lauren Stine • March 27, 2020

Jimmy John's delivers fresh bread to drive social buzz

App customers can post pictures of their homemade bread creations to social media and include the hashtags #FreakyFreshBread and #MadeWithJJBread.

By Robert Williams • March 27, 2020

The Cheesecake Factory furloughed 41,000 employees

In addition to the furloughs and informing its landlords that it won't be able to pay April rent, top executives have elected to reduce base salaries by 20%. 

By Alicia Kelso • UPDATED: March 27, 2020 at 9:28 a.m.

Deep Dive

Coronavirus decimates restaurant profits, but financial safety nets exist

Restaurants forced to close are left with few options to keep the lights on, but experts suggest negotiating with third parties to figure out where they can get a break is one place to start.

By Julie Littman • March 26, 2020

McDonald's pulls all-day breakfast

The QSR giant is also temporarily paring down its morning menu amid novel coronavirus disruption, a move that would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 26, 2020

Yum Brands suspends buyback program to free up cash for franchisees

The restaurant group said its franchisees have experienced "significant" store closures and reduced store-level operations due to the coronavirus outbreak. As of March 18, about 7,000 Yum restaurants are closed globally. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 25, 2020

Punch Bowl Social faces foreclosure

Cracker Barrel, which previously bought a $140 million non-controlling stake in the company, says it won't provide any additional financial resources. 

By Julie Littman • UPDATED: March 25, 2020 at 12:07 p.m.

Burger King's biggest franchisee reverses decision to cut staff pay 10%

Hourly reductions will only apply to staff above store-level workers and CEO Dan Accordino will forgo his salary for three months, Carrols told employees in a memo.

By Emma Liem Beckett • UPDATED: March 25, 2020 at 12:24 p.m.

McDonald's CEO names new chief people officer

The workplace culture of the fast food giant has recently been in the spotlight as a result of major leadership changes, alleged labor violations and discrimination lawsuits.

By Sheryl Estrada • March 24, 2020

Restaurant sales could slump 20% in next 12 months, Moody's says

This outlook is more positive for the second half of the year, when state-mandated shutdowns are predicted to lift, but brands may face challenges around insufficient labor, reduced consumer income and permanent closures.  

By Lauren Stine • March 24, 2020