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

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

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

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