Chick-fil-A goes cashless at some store locations

Restaurants in Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Virginia and Maryland are only accepting credit cards to stem the spread of COVID-19.

By Lauren Manning • April 15, 2020

Judge denies McDonald's motion to dismiss $500M sexual harassment suit

The chain had argued the class-action lawsuit's claims were too broad and the allegations at one restaurant couldn't stretch to complaints of systemwide culture issues. 

By Sheryl Estrada • Updated July 21, 2021

Yelp cuts about 35% of employees

CEO Jeremy Stoppelman wrote in a letter to employees that consumer interest in restaurants, the platform's most popular category, plummeted 64% since March 10, sparking layoffs and furloughs.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 9, 2020

Bloomin' Brands, Jana Partners end dispute

The casual dining company will add two independent directors to the board, effective July 1, ending a months-long battle with the activist investor. 

By Julie Littman • April 9, 2020

Starbucks to offer $10M relief to global partners

In addition to catastrophe pay, this funding will provide one-time grants to partners around the world facing financial difficulties due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

By Lauren Manning • April 9, 2020

Starbucks will reopen 90% of stores by June

The first stage will involve only 30 cafes, and the chain will monitor their performance before moving forward, COO Rosalind Brewer said on a company earnings call.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 29, 2020

McDonald's expects April US sales to be down 20%

Even with drive-thru making up 90% of its U.S. sales, the company expects sales to flag as diners only leave their homes when necessary. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 30, 2020

Toast lays off half its staff due to coronavirus impact

Despite previous projected growth prior to the pandemic, the POS and technology provider cut about 1,300 employees this week.

By Julie Littman • April 8, 2020

Panera, Subway sell groceries to fight coronavirus sales slump

Legacy chains are taking cues from independent restaurant strategies to open up new revenue streams, offering pantry items from cheese to frozen soup. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 8, 2020

Shaquille O'Neal ads drive engagement for Papa John's

The NBA star's endorsement is helping the pizza chain rebuild its image and lift delivery orders following founder John Schnatter's ouster.

By Dianna Christie • April 7, 2020

Tracking coronavirus restaurant aid by state

This week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $50 million relief fund for small businesses in partnership with San Antonio-based nonprofit LiftFund and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

By Thai Phi Le, Emma Liem Beckett, Julie Littman • Updated April 15, 2020

Restaurants sales could drop 27.1% in worst-case coronavirus scenario, says Technomic

While demand for restaurant meals is still healthy, and the industry can expect a spike when things return to normal, the largest impact will come if there is a second wave of outbreaks in the fall. 

By Julie Littman • April 3, 2020

Dine Brands investor wants to spin off IHOP

Dine Brands' board of directors says that forcing the company into creating a separately traded entity would not be in the best interests of its shareholders.

By Julie Littman • April 3, 2020

Chipotle will give workers nearly $6.5M in discretionary bonuses

The chain also previously raised hourly pay 10% for restaurant employees working between March 16 and April 12. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 3, 2020

Luckin Coffee fires CEO, COO as part of fraud investigation

Following ongoing investigations looking into employees fabricating transactions of over $300 million, the chain has fired its CEO and COO and suspended six other employees. 

By Lauren Manning • Updated May 12, 2020

Cheesecake Factory CFO seeks immediate relief; Chipotle CFO says chain can 'last a year'

As the coronavirus pandemic rocks the restaurant industry, chains with established attention to takeout and delivery pull far ahead of traditional sit-down joints. 

By Jane Thier • April 2, 2020

Red Robin ends year-long battle with activist investor

The deal with Vintage Capital includes the appointment of an independent director and allows the investor to acquire up to 20% of the company's stock.

By Julie Littman • April 2, 2020

McDonald's rolls out wellness checks, will test employee temperatures

The company and its franchisees will ask workers a series of health-related questions before they can clock in for shifts.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 2, 2020

Logan's Roadhouse parent lays off staff, changes exec leadership

After closing its restaurants, CraftWorks has terminated 18,000 employees as it attempts to navigate a previously filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

By Lauren Manning • April 2, 2020

April was Papa John's strongest month in its 35-year history

Comp sales rose 27% during the month, with 10% of that growth likely due to the impact of COVID-19 and more people staying at home.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated May 7, 2020

Burger King parent will give operators $70M in cash advancements

Restaurant Brands International is also pausing remodel obligations and deferring rent payments at properties it controls to free up cash for franchisees during the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 31, 2020

Domino's boosts Q2 sales with contactless delivery

Despite a slowdown in U.S. same-store sales growth in Q1, this off-premise push drove a 7.1% increase in U.S. same-store sales during the first four weeks of Q2. 

By Julie Littman • Updated April 23, 2020

Yelp pauses automatic rollout of GoFundMe pages amid restaurant backlash

Restaurant owners took to Twitter to voice their frustration with the practice, which they claim is invasive and could undermine independent fundraising efforts. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 30, 2020

COVID-19 puts BYO coffee cups on hold, but sanitized reusable systems could fill the void

Major brands like Starbucks and Dunkin' have banned the use of personal to-go containers in recent weeks over coronavirus fears, raising new questions in a wider debate around packaging safety. 

By Karine Vann • March 27, 2020

Coronavirus derailing Wendy's strong Q1 sales growth

Sales grew 15% during the first week of the chain's breakfast launch and same-store sales were up 4% in the first two months of the year, only to slide 20% during the week ending March 22. 

By Julie Littman • March 27, 2020