Tracking restaurant industry priority for the COVID-19 vaccine

President Joe Biden announced a deadline of April 19 for all adults in every state to be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 7, 2021

Wow Bao to reach 1K locations through its host kitchen program

The fast casual brand, which currently has 150 locations, is using this initiative to expand into new markets while also providing outside restaurant partners additional revenue.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 26, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

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

NRA: Restaurant sales will rise 11% in 2021 after 24% dip last year

Bars and taverns suffered the most in 2020 with a sales decline of 65%, while full-service decreased 30%, according to the National Restaurant Association's 2021 State of the Restaurant Industry Report. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 26, 2021

Subway to bring branded products to food retail

After launching Subway Grocery in April, the sandwich chain ventures further into the supermarket space as it partners with Broad Street Licensing Group.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 22, 2021

Dunkin' is testing salads in 6 locations

This pilot with Farmer's Fridge could be a play for both off-premise demand and stronger lunch traffic, an area rival Starbucks has also been investing in. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 22, 2021

Starbucks partners with Washington for state's vaccine distribution

The coffee chain will lend its expertise in operational efficiency, scalable modeling and human-centered design and support. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 19, 2021

How Fogo de Chao, STK balance off-premise with experience

The challenge for both brands was developing solutions that would be robust enough to withstand the pandemic environment without compromising the reason diners visit them in the first place: experience. 

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Jan. 19, 2021

Why Chipotle is still hiring while other restaurants shutter

Chipotle has hired thousands during the pandemic thanks to digital growth and a focus on employee benefits, promotions and inclusion.

By Sheryl Estrada • Jan. 15, 2021

Panera takes its catering business virtual

The chain's Virtual Catering program allows companies to buy digital, timestamped vouchers to send to remote employees or clients ahead of an online meeting or event.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 14, 2021

Kitchen United to open 16 centers this year

The company is doubling down on existing high-value markets like Chicago and Los Angeles while it plans to expand into new ones like New York City and the Bay Area later this year. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2021

Noodles & Company opens first ghost kitchen in Chicago

The Humboldt Park location will allow customers to order meals through the company's loyalty app, as well as third-party partners, for pickup and delivery.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Updated May 20, 2021

Denny's diversifies with rollout of 2 virtual brands

The Burger Den will open in February, while The Melt Down, which will focus on sandwiches, launches in the spring. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 12, 2021

Restaurants will see transition, not recovery, in 2021, experts say

Though 2021's performance will still be marred by dining room closures and capacity restrictions, there is still opportunity for the industry to take steps toward market improvement, panelists shared at ICR Monday. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 12, 2021

Major gap exists between casual and QSR recovery, per NPD data

The full-service category experienced transaction declines of 30% in December versus an 8% decrease for quick-service restaurants.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 11, 2021

Chipotle aims to fill 15K new positions during national hiring event

The company's "Coast to Coast Career Day" will be held on Jan. 14 and comes as the company plans to open 200 restaurants in the future. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 11, 2021

Checkers & Rally's parent lands $20M in private equity funding

The capital injection from Oak Hill Capital Partners will fuel the chain's five-year expansion plans, which includes 72 new restaurants in its development pipeline.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 11, 2021

Menu claims help increase profit

Consumers are still interested in premium ingredients and transparency when choosing where to go and what to order when dining out.

Jan. 11, 2021

Rise in takeout waste presents new opportunity for reusable containers

One Bay Area restaurant is making reusable packaging a mandatory part of the off-site dining experience as reliance on takeout food grows and to-go packaging waste piles up.

By Karine Vann • Jan. 8, 2021

Restaurant job losses skyrocket to 372K in December

Comparatively, November job losses totaled about 17,000, revealing a worrying trend stemming from the latest coronavirus surge and increased dining room restrictions.  

By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 8, 2021

Starbucks taps new CFO as Grismer plans to retire

Rachel Ruggeri, senior vice president of finance for Starbucks Americas, will succeed Patrick Grismer, effective Feb. 1. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 7, 2021

Del Taco bulks up off-premise channels with new prototype

The design can be adapted to fit within 1,200 to 2,400 square feet, which will expand site selection options outside of the QSR chain's traditional freestanding drive-thru model.  

By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2021

Applebee's franchisee pilots drive-thru

A Texas operator is retrofitting a restaurant to include a mobile pickup window, and will gauge feedback to inform future store design plans. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 5, 2021

Beef's role in a resilient food system

Beef farmers and ranchers are dedicated to producing beef in a way that prioritizes the planet, people, animals and progress. A food supply balances efficient production with environmental, social and economic impacts.

Jan. 4, 2021

DOL seeks to delay regs allowing non-tipped workers into tip pools

The agency also opened a public comment period, inviting stakeholders to offer input through April 17.

By Kate Tornone • Updated Feb. 3, 2021

McDonald’s USA president wants to improve transparency with operators

Joe Erlinger's message comes as tensions over 2021 franchising fees reach a boiling point, with operators agreeing to cut off nonessential communication with corporate and pushing for the formation of a tech co-op. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 23, 2020