Chipotle tackles social distancing with virtual hangouts on Zoom

As the novel coronavirus keeps people apart, the burrito chain is hosting online events to bring them together, with guests like Colton Underwood from "The Bachelor."

By Robert Williams • March 17, 2020

McDonald's suspends dine-in operations at corporate stores

The fast food chain is encouraging franchisees to do the same and shift to drive-thru, takeout and delivery as COVID-19 continues to spread. 

By Julie Littman • March 17, 2020

States are mandating restaurant closures. Here's 3 ways brands can prepare.

Whether a restaurant is closing just its dining rooms or halting operations completely, lease agreements, perishable inventory and off-premise strategy will need to be assessed to weather COVID-19's impact. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 16, 2020

Starbucks, Chick-fil-A lead charge in shift to off-premise only operations nationwide

Sweetgreen also eliminated dine-in seating, while Taco Bell has closed dining rooms in its company-operated stores as chains rapidly shift operations in response to COVID-19.

By Julie Littman • Updated March 16, 2020

Inspire Brands acquires 22 Buffalo Wild Wings from franchisee

Along with ICV Partners' $130 million acquisition of Diversified Restaurant Holdings, the company sold 22 Buffalo Wild Wings units to the restaurant holding company. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 13, 2020

Hy-Vee to replace Market Grilles with Wahlburgers

The company's 21 full-service restaurants will transition to the popular burger brand by this summer.

By Krishna Thakker • March 13, 2020

Chipotle offers free delivery, tamper-proof packaging in response to COVID-19

Customers will also be able to leave special instructions for delivery to limit contact.  

By Julie Littman • March 13, 2020

Starbucks US could switch to pickup, delivery orders as COVID-19 spreads

Operations are continuing as normal, but CEO Kevin Johnson said stores in the U.S. and Canada could limit seating, enable mobile order-only scenarios for pickup or delivery or only keep drive-thrus open. 

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2020

Taco Bell fires latest shot in breakfast wars with new burrito menu

The QSR has rapidly launched several items this year, with these burritos becoming a permanent addition complementing LTOs like its Triplelupa and Nacho Fries. 

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2020

Mobile pickup is 2.4 times faster than other channels

But 33% of diners believe drive-thru is fastest during peak times and nearly half of diners surveyed in a Rakuten Ready study said drive-thru is their preferred ordering method.  

By Lauren Manning • March 11, 2020

McDonald's corporate stores offer quarantined workers 2 weeks paid leave

Labor advocacy group Fight for $15 wants the company to do more and issued a list of demands, including paid sick leave for all employees and better training on cleaning standards.

By Julie Littman • March 11, 2020

Olive Garden parent adds paid sick leave amid coronavirus concerns

Darden's permanent benefit grants 180,000 employees an hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and new employees will be able to use accrued sick leave after 90 days on the job. 

By Julie Littman • March 10, 2020

2020 is the year of the breakfast wars

Chains like Wendy's, McDonald's, Dunkin', Starbucks and Panera have expanded menu offerings for breakfast to capture growing demand for the daypart.

By Julie Littman • March 9, 2020

Chipotle to expand paid parental leave, test unlimited PTO

The restaurant chain has been expanding its benefit offerings over the past year, but it has faced scrutiny at the state and local level.

By Aman Kidwai • March 6, 2020

Starbucks predicts coronavirus will gut Q2 comp store sales in China by 50%

Starbucks China's comparable stores sales fell 78% in February, a direct result of temporary store closures due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 6, 2020

Report: Subway to offer $5 value menu despite franchisee tension

Operators have previously voiced frustrations over the sandwich chain's discounts, one of many changes rolled out by new CEO John Chidsey in a bid to get the struggling company back on track. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 6, 2020

Taco Bell converting suburban stores to Cantinas in new test

The restaurant also said it plans to open a Cantina in Times Square and a gaming-themed Cantina in San Ramon, California this fall.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 6, 2020

Papa John's centralizes phone orders to improve delivery

The chain expects the system to be in place chainwide by the end of 2020, and hopes the model will give staff more time to make pizza and fulfill deliveries. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 4, 2020

Logan's Roadhouse parent closes all restaurants

The COVID-19 outbreak has complicated CraftWorks' bankruptcy plans. The company lost its debtor-in-possession financing and may have to permanently shutter all of its restaurants. ​

By Julie Littman • Updated March 23, 2020

Jersey Mike’s to spend $150M on franchisee remodels

The sandwich chain plans to cover the $75,000 cost per store for these revamps, which it expects will result in a 10% increase in sales. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 3, 2020

Impossible slashes prices by 15% for distributors

The reduction is a competitive incentive for restaurants looking to capitalize on the plant-based trend without further eroding thin margins. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 3, 2020

Wendy's breakfast challenges rival offerings

In the wake of Wendy's nationwide breakfast launch Monday, McDonald's offered diners free Egg McMuffins and Burger King pushed its Croissan'wich on Twitter.

By Julie Littman • March 2, 2020

Sonic Drive-In shifts away from '2 Guys' to showcase real families

The chain's first work with new agency Mother includes a brand identity refresh that focuses on real people.

By Dianna Christie • March 2, 2020

5 ways Dine Brands is combating traffic declines

CEO Steve Joyce explains how the company's growing catering platform and new focus on urban markets are among the ways it is trying to bring in more guests.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 28, 2020

Shake Shack takes on procure-to-pay, supplier management in tech upgrade

A digital transformation and new enterprise resource planning systems gives Shake Shack a more granular picture of its procurement operations and frees up in-restaurant teams from administrative tasks.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 28, 2020