Independent restaurants grapple with layoffs, but fight to survive

Establishments like Beast in Oregon and Agave Uptown in California talk about the devastating decisions to let employees go or furlough staff during coronavirus.

By Julie Littman • April 14, 2020

Nathan's Famous upgrades tech, adds geotargeting and digital ordering

In a one-month pilot, the chain saw increased engagement at a lower cost-per-click since adding AI-enabled ad formats to its marketing mix.

By Dianna Christie • April 13, 2020

Shutdown-impacted businesses taking PPP loans may risk losing CARES Act tax benefits

Until rules are out, it's not clear paying expenses with stimulus loan funds will help your business come tax time.

By Robert Freedman • April 13, 2020

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

Starbucks to offer $10M relief to global partners

In addition to catastrophe pay, this funding will provide one-time grants to partners around the world facing financial difficulties due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

By Lauren Manning • April 9, 2020

McDonald's expects April US sales to be down 20%

Even with drive-thru making up 90% of its U.S. sales, the company expects sales to flag as diners only leave their homes when necessary. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 30, 2020

Toast lays off half its staff due to coronavirus impact

Despite previous projected growth prior to the pandemic, the POS and technology provider cut about 1,300 employees this week.

By Julie Littman • April 8, 2020

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 7, 2020

Independent Restaurant Coalition asks Congress to extend Paycheck Protection Program

The group says the initiative's eight-week time frame isn't long enough and wants it to be lengthened to three months to help businesses stay open when they reopen.

By Julie Littman • April 7, 2020

States push legislation to protect restaurants with business interruption insurance

Legislators in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Ohio drafted bills that would force insurers to cover establishments that have shut down due to COVID-19.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 7, 2020

H-E-B adds restaurant meals to prepared foods sections

The grocer has teamed up with local restaurateurs in San Antonio and Houston to support their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 6, 2020

Tracking coronavirus restaurant aid by state

This week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $50 million relief fund for small businesses in partnership with San Antonio-based nonprofit LiftFund and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

By Thai Phi Le, Emma Liem Beckett, Julie Littman • Updated April 15, 2020

Shake Shack moves into meal kits as sales sharply decline

The burger chain partnered with Goldbelly, a gourmet food delivery service, to launch a cook-at-home burger kit nationwide. They cost $49 for an eight-pack.   

By Alicia Kelso • April 6, 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 3, 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 3, 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 3, 2020

Luckin Coffee fires CEO, COO as part of fraud investigation

Following ongoing investigations looking into employees fabricating transactions of over $300 million, the chain has fired its CEO and COO and suspended six other employees. 

By Lauren Manning • Updated May 12, 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 2, 2020

Restaurant delivery platforms turn to grocery

Uber Eats has teamed up with Carrefour in France for 30-minute grocery delivery, while DoorDash has added convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Wawa.

By Jessica Dumont • April 2, 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 2, 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 Manning • April 2, 2020

Franchisees struggle alongside independents to ‘keep the lights on’ amid COVID-19

Up to 30,000 franchise businesses will lose all liquidity in the next month as paid sick leave and inflexible business interruption insurance clauses put extra pressure on operations.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 1, 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 boosts Q2 sales with contactless delivery

Despite a slowdown in U.S. same-store sales growth in Q1, this off-premise push drove a 7.1% increase in U.S. same-store sales during the first four weeks of Q2. 

By Julie Littman • Updated April 23, 2020