Chipotle ranks No. 1 among QSRs for COVID-19 safety measures, report says

McDonald's and Starbucks ranked among the top for health and safety compliance as well, according to Ipsos research based on in-store visits from mystery shoppers.

By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 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

Starbucks continues plant-based push with Impossible breakfast sandwich

As consumer interest in meat alternatives surges, the coffee chain joins Burger King and Dunkin' in adding these items to its morning menu.

By Julie Littman • June 23, 2020

Starbucks' stumble on Black Lives Matter shows rising stakes for brands in addressing race

Initially banning employees from wearing Black Lives Matter apparel, the chain quickly reversed its position — but the damage may already have been done.

By Peter Adams • June 22, 2020

WSJ: Chuck E. Cheese parent fielding potential buyers

New York grocery owner John Catsimatidis and a group of bondholders are among the eatertainment chain's latest suitors.

By Julie Littman • June 22, 2020

Taco Bell to clarify policy after employee fired for wearing Black Lives Matter mask

The chain said staff can don Black Lives Matter attire and has since apologized to the worker in Ohio, who posted a video on Facebook after being terminated for bringing "politics into the building."

By Julie Littman • June 19, 2020

Feds issue streamlined PPP loan forgiveness form

Under an EZ form, restaurants only have to complete a brief calculation and certify their representations to get out of repaying their payroll protection assistance.

By Robert Freedman • June 19, 2020

Shift Change: On the Border hires CEO and CFO; McDonald's shuffles global people team

This week's Shift Change also includes a new chief food innovation officer at Panera and the departure of Buffalo Wild Wing's CMO. 

By Julie Littman • June 19, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings CMO who led creative revival departs after less than 2 years

Seth Freeman spearheaded innovative creative concepts, including rebranding Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, that supported a turnaround for the brand.

By Peter Adams • June 17, 2020

Subway franchisees file FTC complaints over Footlong promotion

The sandwich chain brought back its $5 Footlong promotion on Tuesday despite ongoing pushback from franchisees claiming the offer is unprofitable. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 17, 2020

Restaurant industry expected to lose $240B by the end of 2020

The segment has already bled $120 billion in sales during the last three months following stay-at-home orders and dining room closures due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to the National Restaurant Association. 

By Alicia Kelso • 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

&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

DoorDash worth $16B with new $400M in funding

The additional funding signals a possible shift in investor sentiment over food delivery apps, which many are hesitant to back because they haven't been profitable. 

By Julie Littman • Updated June 19, 2020

Starbucks reverses policy, allows employees to wear Black Lives Matter attire

The decision follows backlash and calls to boycott the chain after BuzzFeed shared an internal company memo telling employees such clothes could be misconstrued and lead to violence. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 12, 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

McDonald's names global CMO after 11-month vacancy

Alistair Macrow, a 15-year veteran of the chain, will work to accelerate its pandemic recovery and build customer trust as dining areas begin to reopen.

By Dianna Christie • June 10, 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

Dunkin' flexes advertising muscle in 1st national recruitment campaign

The chain is promoting 25,000 job openings through TV spots, digital assets, social, radio, OOH and in-store signage as the economy is hit with pandemic-related unemployment.

By Dianna Christie • June 9, 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

BurgerFi to go public in $100M deal with blank-check investor

The burger chain entered into a definitive agreement with Opes Acquisition Corp. to combine on Tuesday. Its anticipated initial enterprise value is $143 million. 

By Julie Littman • Updated June 30, 2020

WSJ: Chuck E. Cheese asks lenders for help to avoid bankruptcy

The eatertainment chain is allegedly seeking a $200 million loan to help offset its $1 billion in debt, which accrued more than $100 million in interest last year.

By Alicia Kelso • June 8, 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