Corporate Operations: Page 45
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Chick-fil-A will launch a meal kit nationwide next week
Two years after its initial meal kit test in Atlanta, the chain expects more than half of its system to offer the $14.99 heat-and-eat chicken parmesan meal.
By Emma Liem Beckett • May 1, 2020 -
Cosi sues SBA for barring it from PPP funding
The chain argues that the Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline needed to maintain its business and it shouldn't have been restricted from the loans based on its February bankruptcy
By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2020 -
McDonald's franchisees frustrated with chain's coronavirus response, survey shows
Some operators argue that rent deferrals are not enough to help them survive as performance lags, per a Kalinowski Equity Research report.
By Alicia Kelso • April 29, 2020 -
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 -
Off-premise may be key to casual dining relief, BTIG research suggests
While sales declines across the casual dining segment are severe, the trend has been steadily improving by an average of 5% per week.
By Alicia Kelso • April 28, 2020 -
Lenders get 2nd chance to correct PPP flaws
Despite some negative press, the first rollout of the SBA program has let some banks prove they can help their customers even in the worst of times, said David Zaring, a Wharton professor of legal studies and business ethics.
By Anna Hrushka • 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 -
Former workers sue Hooters alleging it failed to give proper notice of mass layoff
The plaintiffs alleged the company violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act when it laid off hundreds.
By Lisa Burden • April 27, 2020 -
Sonic Drive-In spurs 5x more app downloads with RCS pilot
The fast-food chain saw a customer registration rate that was three times higher for recipients using rich messaging than for more standard MMS.
By Robert Williams • April 27, 2020 -
Burger King links TV ad with QR code to offer up free Whoppers
In a pair of offers, the QSR urges mobile users to scan a QR code that appears in TV ads and asks them to share screenshots of video calls with friends.
By Robert Williams • April 27, 2020 -
McDonald's shareholders want to oust chairman over Easterbrook exit package
CtW Investment Group argues the board showed poor leadership when offering the former CEO a generous exit deal even though he violated company policy.
By Emma Liem Beckett • 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 -
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 -
Denny's gets into gaming with presence on multiplayer platforms
The casual dining chain's Dennys247 account is on Nintendo's Switch, Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PS4.
By Robert Williams • April 23, 2020 -
Red Lobster offers custom Zoom backgrounds, Spotify playlist for date nights
The restaurant hopes to drive sales by offering takeout menus and virtual ambience for those looking to recreate the experience of eating out on a date.
By Dianna Christie • April 23, 2020 -
Chipotle to pay $25M in largest-ever food safety fine
The settlement with the Department of Justice stems from the company's foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018.
By Alicia Kelso • 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 -
Shake Shack is returning its $10M in PPP funding
The burger chain, which laid off or furloughed more than 1,000 employees last week, said Sunday that it has access to capital to fill the gap instead.
By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • 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 -
Column
Shift Change: McDonald's, Potbelly, MOD and Jack in the Box make C-suite hires
After a lull across restaurants over the last few weeks, several major chains made big executive appointments.
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 -
ChowNow, Instagram launch commission-free online food ordering
Online ordering platform ChowNow partnered with the social media platform to enable restaurants to add "Order Food" buttons to their profiles and Stories.
By Alicia Kelso • April 16, 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