Chuck E. Cheese parent to close 45 locations

After its Ch. 11 bankruptcy filing, the company is asking to abandon 45 leases at underperforming locations, or which 11 were already permanently closed. 

By Julie Littman • Updated June 26, 2020

Recent PPP changes offer restaurants hope, but calls for industry aid continue

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act and streamlined loan forgiveness applications make the federal safety net easier for operators to use without penalty, but critics argue that key needs are still unaddressed. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 24, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Back-of-house Technology

From AI-enhanced inventory management 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

Prioritizing the 'simple' tasks when returning to work

Restaurants are going to have to be creative as they reopen, while maintaining the proper precautions in accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC). 

By John Orr, SVP of Retail, Ceridian • June 22, 2020

McDonald's to hire 260K US restaurant workers this summer

The restaurant said the new staff will join as it reopens dining rooms across the country.

By Katie Clarey • June 19, 2020

Subway plans to add 50K employees, joining QSR hiring spree

The sandwich chain will fill a range of positions from entry-level to management roles this summer, just as McDonald's, Taco Bell and Dunkin' plan to boost restaurant employment.

By Alicia Kelso • June 19, 2020

Chipotle adds group ordering, Facebook Messenger bot to digital assets

The features build on the chain's $1 billion online ordering platform, which includes second make lines, Chipotlanes and a rewards program. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 18, 2020

1 in 4 workers at high risk for serious COVID-19 illness as states reopen despite surges

New data from the Kaiser Family Foundation could throw a wrench in restaurants' plans to reopen and resume a normal course of operations, even as more than half of states report rising COVID-19 infections.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 18, 2020

Coronavirus stalls 2020 breakfast wars

With fewer commuters and rising unemployment, the pandemic hit the morning daypart hard and halted growth plans at McDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's.

By Julie Littman • June 17, 2020

How to ensure PPP loan forgiveness

While the Federal Accounting Standards Board is looking to create guidance for for-profit companies like restaurants, it recommends disclosing how the loan is treated in financial reports.

By Robert Freedman • June 16, 2020

Panda Express launches branded delivery, looks to fill 30,000 positions

This white label delivery channel lets diners order off-premise meals via its website and mobile app, which a third-party platform will fulfill. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 16, 2020

Restaurants strengthen employee communication to react quickly during coronavirus

Operators that maintained close relationships with working and furloughed staff during the pandemic are benefiting from better retention and smoother operations.

By Julie Littman • June 16, 2020

Sanitation will be top diner concern post-coronavirus, report reveals

A clean restaurant is more important to customers than taste and value, according to Datassentia​l.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 15, 2020

&pizza to close on Election Day, offer PTO

The fast casual pizzeria joins a handful of independent restaurants and chains including Milk Bar that will offer time off and close locations to make it easier for employees to vote.

By Lauren Manning • June 15, 2020

Restaurant rebound: 5 recommendations for weathering the current economic climate

Five recommendations for restaurants to navigate COVID-19 guidelines and the current economic climate.

By Simon de Montfort Walker, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Food and Beverage • June 15, 2020

Taco Bell's breakfast business slumps, putting it behind sister chains

With more people working from home during the novel coronavirus pandemic, Taco Bell's breakfast traffic declined while KFC and Pizza Hut boosted their dinner dayparts with sought-after delivery and carryout options.

By Alicia Kelso • June 11, 2020

DC restaurants: Reopening patios amid COVID-19, protests like juggling 'flaming knives'

The District's restaurant scene is emblematic — perhaps in extremes — of the tumultuous environment that operators across the country are fighting to survive in.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 11, 2020

Punch Bowl Social closes 2 locations after lease dispute

While the impact to the eatertainment chain is small, these closures signal growing tensions between landlords and tenants, which could result in more vacant storefronts.

By Julie Littman • June 10, 2020

Uber expands corporate offerings with Vouchers for Eats

Vouchers builds on Uber for Business' corporate meal solutions as a way for employers to boost morale and productivity while staff work from home. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 9, 2020

McDonald’s franchisees want to keep limited menu post-coronavirus

The National Owners Association told members last week the smaller menu helped improve service times and sales.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 8, 2020

A lesson in fiscal discipline from Chipotle's CFO

Chipotle has maintained its long-term vitality as the pandemic forces countless competitors to close their doors. CFO Jack Hartung shares how the company does it.

By Jane Thier • June 5, 2020

City restaurants see greater impact from COVID-19 closures

More restaurants have closed in urban areas than other regions during the pandemic, according to Datassential, and many in cities will face short-term disruptions from protests.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 5, 2020

Cheesecake Factory temporarily closes locations during racial justice protests

The closures contributed to a 63% drop in same-store sales for the fiscal second quarter ended May 31.

By Alicia Kelso • June 4, 2020

To-go sales grew 96.4% in May following weeks of dining room closures

Fine dining off-premise sales grew from about 14% pre-COVID to as high as 70%, but this trend will dissipate, Black Box Intelligence CEO Kelli Valade said. 

By Julie Littman • June 4, 2020

Starbucks reopens with reduced hours, provides extended unpaid leave to employees

The chain's COVID-19 Leave of Absence allows employees to take unpaid leave through Sept. 30 while also maintaining health insurance and other benefits. 

By Julie Littman • June 3, 2020

In-N-Out sues insurer for business interruption coverage

The chain claims Zurich American Insurance wrongly denied coverage of its losses from the coronavirus and is in breach of contract.

By Alicia Kelso • June 2, 2020