Restaurants, grocery stores can list shopping times on OpenTable

The new tool promises to help retailers manage crowds without requiring customers to wait in line outside stores.

By Krishna Thakker • March 31, 2020

A Boston restaurateur is using Instagram tutorials to stay afloat

The owner of Juliet + Company restaurant group has developed online video cocktail and cooking tutorials, as well as a publication, to drive revenue and keep his 50 staff members employed. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 30, 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

COVID-19 puts BYO coffee cups on hold, but sanitized reusable systems could fill the void

Major brands like Starbucks and Dunkin' have banned the use of personal to-go containers in recent weeks over coronavirus fears, raising new questions in a wider debate around packaging safety. 

By Karine Vann • March 27, 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

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

3% of restaurants have already closed permanently, NRA survey finds

Another 11% of the 4,000 operators the National Restaurant Association surveyed predict that they will permanently close within 30 days. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • 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

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

President signs $2T coronavirus stimulus package, 'a first step' in helping restaurants recover

With an expansion of unemployment benefits and direct payments to individuals and families, some relief is on the way for many restaurant workers. 

By Julie Littman • Updated March 27, 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

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

National Restaurant Association Show is canceled

The industry's largest trade show will not be rescheduled — a move that could have devastating consequences for foodservice vendors that plan their marketing budgets around the event.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 24, 2020

Grocers step up to hire restaurant workers sidelined by coronavirus

The two industries are forming creative partnerships as grocers' hiring needs accelerate and restaurants close down their dining rooms.

By Sam Silverstein • 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 Manning • March 24, 2020

Curbside service and cocktails: How a full-service restaurant is staying open during coronavirus

Southern California restaurant 101 North has turned to curbside pickup, delivery, cocktail kits and selling items from its kitchen to maintain revenue while its dining room is closed.

By Julie Littman • March 24, 2020

McDonald's to shutter all stores in UK, Ireland

The chain's 1,270 locations in this region will no longer offer drive-thru and delivery, and employees at corporate-owned restaurants will be paid for scheduled shifts through April 5.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 23, 2020

Domino's, Papa John's ramp up hiring amid slew of industry layoffs

Domino's plans to hire 10,000 while Papa John's wants to hire 20,000 and Pizza Hut is looking to add 30,000 following increased demand for pizza delivery during the coronavirus outbreak. 

By Julie Littman • Updated March 23, 2020

McDonald's reportedly pushed against sick leave provision in coronavirus package

The chain is concerned the package — which requires companies with 50 to 500 employees to give workers two weeks paid sick leave — will hurt its franchisee profitability, according to Business Insider. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 19, 2020

Union Square Hospitality Group lays off 80% of staff over coronavirus closures

After shuttering all of its restaurants on March 13, the company laid off 2,000 employees, joining a handful of other fine-dining groups that have cut staff over the last week.

By Julie Littman • March 19, 2020

NRA predicts $225B loss for restaurants, urges federal economic aid

The association is pushing for a $145 billion restaurant and food service recovery fund to pay employees and help operations, as well as assistance that allows businesses to defer mortgage, lease and loan obligations.

By Lauren Manning • March 19, 2020

&pizza's coronavirus response plan: Pay workers more, not less

As restaurants across the country lay off workers in droves, the Washington, D.C.-based pizza chain has raised hourly pay $1 and is developing plans to keep staff fully employed even if its stores temporarily close. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 18, 2020

Millions of restaurant workers could lose their jobs due to dine-in closures

About 7.4 million leisure and hospitality workers may lose their jobs following restaurant and bar closures from 12 states and Washington, D.C. — numbers that will only grow. 

By Julie Littman • March 18, 2020