DoorDash launches new online convenience store DashMart

The company's venture, which marks its first foray into managing its own inventory, will offer around 2,000 grocery and restaurant items and delivery in as little as 30 minutes. 

By Jessica Dumont • Aug. 6, 2020

83% of New York City restaurant owners couldn't pay full rent in July, report shows

The NYC Hospitality Alliance survey also found that 71% of landlords would not waive portions of rent because of COVID-19. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 5, 2020

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

Wendy's digital sales momentum grows with delivery expansion during Q2

While a majority of the mix was from delivery orders, the chain expects its newly launched loyalty program to boost mobile ordering.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2020

Wendy's breakfast makes up 8% of US Q2 sales

Despite being the most challenged daypart during the pandemic, the chain reported strong margins and sales growth, and plans to invest $15 million to advertise the menu during the last half of 2020.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 5, 2020

NRA: 55% of restaurants can't access second PPP loan under Senate plan

The association is urging Congress to lower the proposed Heals Act revenue loss threshold, which determines a business' eligibility for a second loan, from 50% to 20%. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 4, 2020

Wawa to open first freestanding drive-thru by year-end

As it prepares for a post-COVID-19 world, the convenience store known for its sub sandwiches expects to start selling combos and value meals at the new Pennsylvania location.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 3, 2020

Texas bars could reopen as restaurants under modified licensure rules

Establishments could qualify as restaurants if alcoholic beverages made up less than 51% of their sales since April 1, per the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 3, 2020

12 North Carolina McDonald's restaurants fined for alleged child labor law violations

It’s not uncommon for fast food chains to face allegations of such missteps, and others like Qdoba, Chipotle and Wendy's have paid similar fines in the past year.

By Katie Clarey • July 31, 2020

Pret A Manger shutters 17 stores in Boston and Chicago

With more Americans working remotely, the chain, which dropped sales by 87% YTD, has shifted its focus to offering group meals for pickup and delivery and plans to launch order ahead. 

By Julie Littman • July 31, 2020

47% of operators say moving to online ordering is their biggest challenge

This is particularly true for the majority of fine dining and upscale restaurants that didn't offer online ordering prior to the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to an Upserve survey. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 30, 2020

California Pizza Kitchen files for bankruptcy

The company, which expects to emerge from Chapter 11 proceedings in less than three months, filed for bankruptcy as part of its agreement with lenders that will help it equitize a vast majority of its debt. 

By Julie Littman • July 30, 2020

Dunkin' may shutter 800 US stores by year's end

More than 50% of these closures are in Speedway c-stores that were previously announced in February, but the chain says all places on the chopping block are in "low-volume sales locations."

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 30, 2020

McDonald's to exit more than 100 Walmart stores

The fast food giant plans to close 200 under-performing outlets, more than half of which are located inside Walmart locations.

By Jessica Dumont • July 29, 2020

Wingstop reports best quarter since IPO in 2015

The company's digital strategy, which included free delivery promotions and opening ghost kitchens, helped the chain boost its digital transactions to nearly 64% of sales during Q2. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2020

Breakfast continues to drag McDonald's sales

Much like other QSRs, a lack of commuters significantly impacted McDonald's morning daypart, but the chain plans to invest in the growing segment coming out of the pandemic. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2020

McDonald's drive-thrus allowed its US restaurants to largely stay open

Drive-thru business made up 90% of McDonald's U.S. sales during Q2 2020, which is helping those markets recover more quickly. 

By Julie Littman • July 28, 2020

DoorDash partners with fintech BlueVine to process PPP applications for merchants

Nearly 200 restaurant owners have collectively received more than $6 million in PPP loans through the collaboration since late April. Most recipients are independent restaurants.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 28, 2020

Papa John's is hiring 10K more employees

This will bring the pizza chain's recent hiring blitz to 30,000 total new positions, a move that follows robust same-store sales growth in June. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 27, 2020

NRA urges local leaders to keep restaurants open

In a letter to governors and mayors, the National Restaurant Association writes that "bad actors" do not represent the industry and closing restaurants down again hinders its recovery.

By Julie Littman • July 27, 2020

Dunkin' creates new chief digital officer role as it doubles down on tech, mobile offerings

The position oversees digital marketing and media, consumer insights and IT transformation — areas seeing growing demand under the pandemic.

By Peter Adams • July 24, 2020

Coronavirus has already shuttered 16K restaurants, Yelp says

As restaurants grapple with trying to stay in business, Yelp's latest data shows that in states like Florida and Texas, a 50% rise in consumer interest in dining out in May preceded COVID-19 outbreaks in June.

By Alicia Kelso • July 23, 2020

Chipotle surpasses $1B in digital sales despite same-store sale declines

Digital sales skyrocketed 216% to $829.3 million during Q2, revealing a bright spot for the company despite its first drop in same-store sales in several years.

By Julie Littman • July 23, 2020

Wendy's launches loyalty program as part of digital growth

The initiative, which will reward customers no matter how they order, is part of the chain's plans to make digital sales 10% of overall sales by 2024. 

By Julie Littman • July 22, 2020

Strong franchisee relationships key to restaurant chain survival

From hosting daily calls to providing need-to-know information, restaurants are working closely with operators to adapt to market changes as the pandemic progresses.

By Julie Littman • July 22, 2020

Uber Eats adds benchmarking data to Manager app

The delivery company's service will now provide information that allows restaurants to compare their operations to others in the area. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Dec. 21, 2020