Chick-fil-A to launch 3 virtual concepts in Nashville

This fall, guests ordering from the chain's delivery kitchen concept Little Blue Menu can order from Flock & Farm, Garden Day and Outfox Wings, as well as menu items from Chick-fil-A. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 15, 2021

IRC: 82% of restaurants fear they will shutter without Restaurant Revitalization Fund refill

The nonprofit urged Congress to refill the RRF before budget reconciliation talks last week, but the House Committee on Small Business didn't vote on a plan that would add $60 billion to the fund.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 14, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Independent restaurants

Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

Taco Bell expands Taco Lover's Pass nationwide

During the 30-day subscription's trial last fall, 20% of Taco Lover's Pass purchasers were new to the chain's rewards app. An additional 20% renewed the pass a second time. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 6, 2022

Feds to require large employers mandate coronavirus vaccine

The requirements will impact some 80 million workers in private sector businesses, in addition to many federal employees and contractors, the White House said.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Sept. 10, 2021

Raising tipped minimum wage could spark job loss, study shows

The National Bureau of Economic Research also finds that hiking the tipped minimum wage would do little to prevent employees from falling into low-income brackets.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 9, 2021

Why aren't restaurant workers coming back? Here's what the data shows.

While operators continue to point to high unemployment benefits keeping workers from returning, various reports show the staffing shortage is much more complicated.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 8, 2021

Wingstop adds thighs to core menu following launch of virtual brand

Thighstop generated 3 billion media impressions in the first days of its rollout, driving much more diner attention than a traditional product launch often captures.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 8, 2021

Shake Shack suspends 4-day workweek perk for managers

The burger chain phased out the program after the pandemic began and will focus instead on hiring hourly workers and raising pay.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 7, 2021

NRA boosts 2021 restaurant sales projection to $789B

While this predicted total eclipses the National Restaurant Association's previous estimate by $58 billion, it would still come in more than 8% below 2019 sales. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 31, 2021

7 of the best-designed outdoor dining structures in NYC

These award-winning "streateries" have played an important role in keeping restaurants viable during the pandemic.

By Matthew Thibault • Aug. 30, 2021

McDonald's suggests franchisees close dining rooms

The Golden Arches shared guidance with operators last week on how to shutter indoor seating in areas where COVID-19 cases exceed 250 per 100,000 people, according to Reuters.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Aug. 30, 2021

NRA: 6 in 10 US adults have changed restaurant plans due to delta variant

Nineteen percent of consumers have stopped going to restaurants, one of the many growing concerns mentioned in a National Restaurant Association letter urging Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 26, 2021

Perkins debuts virtual bakery brand

Restaurants carrying the Bakery by Perkins virtual concept during its test phase experienced a bakery category sales increase of 10% to 20%.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 26, 2021

800 Degrees Pizza expanding through Piestro's automated machines

800 Degrees Pizza, which currently has 16 locations worldwide, plans to bring about 3,600 Piestro robotic pizzeria machines to market throughout the next five years. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 25, 2021

How QSR loyalty programs stack up in 2021

Chains from McDonald's to Burger King are adding loyalty programs for the first time to attract and retain customers, and they're gaining ground against competitors' long-standing programs. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 24, 2021

Shortages and other challenges across liquor supply chain throw a wrench in summer rebound

As states reopened bars and restaurants, the sudden demand strained liquor supply chains that pivoted during the pandemic to prioritize private sales. 

By A.B. Brown • Aug. 20, 2021

Full-service restaurant tickets up 20%, report shows

With diners going out to socialize more and celebrate special occasions, the amount of large party orders rose 32% during Q2 2021, according to Black Box Intelligence. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 20, 2021

Brinker adds second virtual brand to product lineup

Maggiano's Italian Classics is currently in 250 restaurants, but is expected to be in 900 units by the end of the year and generate sales over $100 million. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 19, 2021

Wingstop shakes up marketing structure as it eyes 100% digital transactions

Inspired by tech companies, the realignment comes as the wing chain places bigger bets on emerging formats like ghost kitchens. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 17, 2021

Dunkin' plots more nontraditional growth in 2021

The chain plans to expand in airports, malls, supermarkets and universities this year, building on the 27 nontraditional restaurants it launched in 2020.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 17, 2021

New Orleans vaccine mandate for indoor dining takes effect

The Big Easy's mandate began Monday and could provide a test case for restaurants in San Francisco, which will soon fall under similar regulations. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 16, 2021

San Francisco to require proof of full vaccinations for indoor dining

The city's mandate will begin Aug. 20 for customers and Oct. 14 for employees. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 13, 2021

McDonald's requiring US corporate employees to get vaccinated

The decision comes as Chipotle mulls a mandate for its office workers, but the Mexican chain's CEO Brian Niccol says the company is waiting for COVID-19 vaccines to receive full FDA approval. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 12, 2021

Wendy's to open 700 ghost kitchens with Reef Technology

The fast food chain also updated its 2025 development target from 8,000 units to up to 9,000 globally and created a $100 million development fund to attract franchisees.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 11, 2021

What the US hospitality industry can learn from Australia

Restaurants Down Under can teach American operators a thing or two about how the segment might fare in the coming months, writes Peter Dougherty, general manager of hospitality at Lightspeed.

By Peter Dougherty • Aug. 10, 2021