5 steps restaurants should take before bringing back staff

Before restaurants consider reopening their dining rooms, experts say operators should review payroll practices, rehire based on seniority and develop ways to monitor employee health.

By Julie Littman • April 29, 2020

15 Chick-fil-A employees test positive for coronavirus in Texas

Over 100 employees have been tested in Southeast Texas and remain under quarantine while the two restaurants in question are temporarily closed. 

By Julie Littman • April 29, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Back-of-house Technology

From AI-enhanced POS systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

California's paid coronavirus sick leave requirement targets big chains

On April 16 Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order requiring food businesses with more than 500 employees nationwide to provide the benefit to essential workers, including delivery personnel. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 28, 2020

States begin easing dine-in restrictions, but are restaurants ready to reopen?

Restaurants are formulating plans to ramp up operations as states like Georgia and Tennessee ease restrictions, but many think it's too soon. 

By Julie Littman • April 27, 2020

Chipotle CFO: 'Our worst days have passed'

By revamping its business around online advertisements and free delivery, Chipotle has weathered the pandemic better than many restaurant chains. But what will its dining experience look like next year?

By Jane Thier • April 24, 2020

LA County to publicly list restaurants with COVID-19 exposures

Restaurants will join institutions like nursing facilities and shelters tracked by the county's Department of Public Health that have reported positive cases of coronavirus. 

By Julie Littman • April 24, 2020

Potbelly will return $10M in PPP funding

The Treasury Department issued guidance April 23 requesting that publicly traded companies repay their Paycheck Protection Program loans by May 7. Returned funds will be allocated for new loans for other qualified applicants.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 27, 2020

Takeout sales outpacing delivery amid coronavirus, data shows

Upserve found that while delivery made up 32% of sales in February through its online ordering platform, it represents just 14% of transactions as of April 20, suggesting an uptick of restaurants going online without third-party partners. 

By Lauren Manning • April 23, 2020

Chipotle grows digital sales 81% in Q1 despite coronavirus

The fast casual chain's online sales reached its highest quarterly level at $372 million in Q1, representing over 26% of overall sales.

By Julie Littman • April 22, 2020

The Cheesecake Factory receives $200M private equity investment

The cash from Roark Capital will provide the dining chain, which furloughed 41,000 workers in March, with much needed funding to get through the novel coronavirus pandemic.

By Julie Littman • April 21, 2020

NRA calls for PPP reform, estimates 8M restaurant job losses

National Restaurant Association is pushing Congress to create a $240 billion restaurant relief and recovery fund, and to change the PPP's loan period, forgiveness restrictions and repayment terms.

By Lauren Manning • April 21, 2020

Chicago hybrid restaurant offers a side of humor with 'social distance goods'

All Together Now altered its operations to provide a variety of pandemic provisions, including nightly dinners, small bites and its popular wine and cheese pairings for delivery and pickup.

By Julie Littman • April 20, 2020

Starbucks will phase out Catastrophe Pay as US stores reopen

The chain said that it will start to open locations May 4 on a community-by-community basis, but will phase out some of its additional benefits in June. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2020

Bloomin' Brands will open 1st drive-thru Aussie Grill in May

The new Florida location marks the third U.S. store for the fast casual Outback concept, but the first to feature a drive-thru and indoor seating.

By Lauren Manning • April 17, 2020

Sales at over 77% of restaurants have declined by 50%

Two-thirds of those surveyed say they are uncertain that takeout or delivery will be enough to sustain their businesses until they are able to reopen, according to a James Beard Foundation report.

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2020

Jack in the Box names new CEO

Darin Harris, former CEO of Cici's Pizza, will face an uphill battle at the QSR, which has been battered by poor franchisee relations and must now survive the novel coronavirus crisis. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 17, 2020

Potbelly, MOD Pizza hire CFOs in show of mid-pandemic optimism

The two fast casual companies have their eyes on the future with the naming of new finance chiefs. MOD Pizza's Josh Guenser shares how he's balancing his onboarding with crisis planning.

By Jane Thier • April 16, 2020

Chick-fil-A goes cashless at some store locations

Restaurants in Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Virginia and Maryland are only accepting credit cards to stem the spread of COVID-19.

By Lauren Manning • April 15, 2020

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