Chipotle raises pay 10% for restaurant workers

The increase, which juxtaposes industrywide layoffs and reduced shifts for front-of-house workers, will be in effect for hourly employees through April 12.

By Lauren Manning • March 27, 2020

Jimmy John's delivers fresh bread to drive social buzz

App customers can post pictures of their homemade bread creations to social media and include the hashtags #FreakyFreshBread and #MadeWithJJBread.

By Robert Williams • March 27, 2020

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

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

McDonald's CEO names new chief people officer

The workplace culture of the fast food giant has recently been in the spotlight as a result of major leadership changes, alleged labor violations and discrimination lawsuits.

By Sheryl Estrada • 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

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

Darden's Q3 results hint at dismal future for casual dining

Same-store sales dropped more than 21% for the week ending March 15 across its brands, with same-store sales declining 60% this week. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 20, 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

&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

Chuck E. Cheese closes dine-in, offers in-home birthday packages

While still offering off-premise dining, the birthday-focused restaurant is making its dance-party-themed videos and rewards available online and selling family packs with cake, pizza and goodie bags during COVID-19 closures.

By Lauren Manning • March 17, 2020

How coronavirus is changing restaurant policies

Major U.S. chains and delivery platforms are updating their standards, from paid sick leave to social distancing in stores, to adapt in an uncertain market.

By Nami Sumida, Emma Liem Beckett, Julie Littman, Thai Phi Le • Updated July 21, 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

Starbucks offers 'catastrophe pay' to workers impacted by coronavirus

The temporary benefit includes 14 days of paid sick leave for workers diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, and also for those who are at elevated risk due to age or preexisting medical conditions. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 12, 2020

Starbucks US could switch to pickup, delivery orders as COVID-19 spreads

Operations are continuing as normal, but CEO Kevin Johnson said stores in the U.S. and Canada could limit seating, enable mobile order-only scenarios for pickup or delivery or only keep drive-thrus open. 

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2020

Taco Bell fires latest shot in breakfast wars with new burrito menu

The QSR has rapidly launched several items this year, with these burritos becoming a permanent addition complementing LTOs like its Triplelupa and Nacho Fries. 

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2020

McDonald's corporate stores offer quarantined workers 2 weeks paid leave

Labor advocacy group Fight for $15 wants the company to do more and issued a list of demands, including paid sick leave for all employees and better training on cleaning standards.

By Julie Littman • March 11, 2020

Taco Bell taps TikTok's vertical video format for TV ad

The effort marks the first time TikTok has partnered with a brand on a national advertising campaign and references trends on the app, like "eboys."

By Peter Adams • March 10, 2020

Wingstop pays fans to be walking billboards

The fast-food joint is transferring its OOH budget to loyal fans, giving Instagrammers who wear the special branded merchandise $10 via Venmo.

By Dianna Christie • March 10, 2020