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

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Back-of-house Technology

From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

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

Recipe for a successful restaurant reopening: transparent marketing

Restaurants that clearly detail their new operations and procedures during the coronavirus pandemic on social media or online will win out among customers.

By Julie Littman • June 1, 2020

Insurers propose pandemic assistance plan

Federal money, not business interruption insurance, is the appropriate response to a pandemic, property and casualty carriers say. 

By Robert Freedman • May 29, 2020

DoorDash to offer turnkey digital storefronts for restaurant partners

The company's "Main Street Strong" program includes waived setup, software and merchant delivery fees for white label online ordering sites for local restaurants.

By Julie Littman • May 29, 2020

Shift Change: Dine Brands begins CEO search, Panera hires brand officer

Wahlburgers and Naf Naf Grill also tapped new CEOs this week and Waitr promoted its director of financial planning to CFO and chief accounting officer.

By Julie Littman • May 29, 2020

San Francisco restaurants can use public space for takeout and dining

Operators can apply for free permits to expand pickup services to streets, sidewalks and parking spaces. Eventually, outdoor dining will also be allowed in these areas. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 28, 2020

Denny’s, IHOP franchisees close restaurants

Feast American Diners shuttered 15 Denny's in New York due to the impact of COVID-19, just weeks after an IHOP franchisee filed for bankruptcy and closed 49 units.

By Alicia Kelso • May 28, 2020

TGI Fridays could permanently close 20% of US locations

To try to drive sales, the chain is testing party tents that let diners eat in restaurant parking lots in New Hampshire, with plans to roll out the pilot to Connecticut. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 27, 2020

NYC mayor signs COVID-19 relief bill providing help for restaurants

The package includes caps on third-party delivery fees, prohibition on charges for calls that don't result in an order and a suspension of sidewalk cafe fees through Feb. 28.

By Julie Littman • May 27, 2020

5 chains at risk of defaulting within a year

Dave & Buster's, Bloomin' Brands, The Cheesecake Factory, Denny's and Brinker International have the highest probability, according to S&P Global data, which could further complicate recovery plans.

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • May 26, 2020

CDC outlines restaurant reopening guidelines

The agency recommends a three-phase reopening plan to slowly resume operations in bars and dining rooms. 

By Ryan Golden • May 22, 2020

Starbucks could close up to 400 stores in next 18 months

The closures are part of Starbucks' repositioning plan, in which the chain will develop more pickup-only locations and move units out of low-traffic malls and into sites where there could be a drive-thru. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated June 10, 2020

DoorDash adds customer tracking for pickup orders

Restaurants will now know when a customer is arriving at the restaurant, which is expected to reduce wait times.

By Julie Littman • May 21, 2020

Subway lays off 150 more employees

The job cuts mark the struggling sandwich chain's second major workforce reduction in just three months. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 20, 2020

Family meals serve up new opportunities for chains

As restaurants struggle to grow sales during the novel coronavirus pandemic, many have transformed their catering menus into family meals to appeal to more people staying at home.

By Julie Littman • May 19, 2020

Golden Corral revamps dining room formats as Garden Fresh goes under

Social distancing mandates that close self-service food and drink stations are hitting buffet chains hard, but some are adapting with new services.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 19, 2020

McDonald’s reopening requirements saddle operators with more costs

The chain's 59-page reopening guide for its U.S. restaurants includes purchasing recommendations for a $718 touchless sink and $310 automatic towel dispenser, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 15, 2020

Starbucks seeks rent relief for a full year

In a letter written by Starbucks COO Roz Brewer and obtained by Restaurant Business, the company asked its landlords for 12 months of rent breaks for its corporate-owned units beginning in June.  

By Alicia Kelso • May 14, 2020

IRS allows employers to claim tax credit for paying furloughed employees' health premiums

The employee retention credit is one of a few financial options available to employers during the pandemic, and could benefit chains like The Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack and Chuy's.

By Ryan Golden • May 14, 2020

Washington no longer requires dine-in customers to provide contact information

Gov. Jay Inslee revised his earlier requirement on Friday for restaurants to collect dine-in customer information, saying it would be voluntary for patrons.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated May 19, 2020

Potbelly could permanently close up to 100 stores

About 90% of the shops under consideration for closure were impaired before the pandemic and are even more challenged today, CFO Steve Cirulis said on an earnings call. 

By Julie Littman • May 13, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings unveils its first 'GO' store in Atlanta

The new concept, which will open Wednesday, features heated pickup lockers to service guests who order ahead via the brand's mobile app.

By Lauren Manning • May 12, 2020