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

Explore the Trendline➔

Back-of-house Technology

From AI-enhanced POS systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

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

Punch Bowl Social declares bankruptcy after nightmare year for eatertainment

As of Dec. 8, the company was only operating three out of its 14 units with limited capacity. The open venues were losing money on a daily basis and the company has since closed them. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2020

Papa John's to give employees $2.5M in end-of-year bonuses

The additional pay will be awarded to 14,000 team members across the company’s corporate restaurants and supply chain.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2020

Top 10 employment lawsuits that impacted restaurants in 2020

Pandemic disruption hasn't stopped employment-related lawsuits from showcasing ongoing labor issues, from sexual harassment to gender and race discrimination, that still plague the industry. 

Dec. 21, 2020

Burger King teams up with Google to add online ordering

This integration, which begins Monday at 5,000 restaurants, will allow customers to search for the nearest location, order and pay.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2020

DC approves rehiring bill for hospitality workers

Restaurants, with some exceptions, will be required to send job offers to employees they laid off during the pandemic when their jobs become available again, per a bill passed by the city council. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 18, 2020

Emerging from bankruptcy, California Pizza Kitchen hires new CFO

Judd Tirnauer will lead CPK's financial restructuring strategy, focus on growth opportunities, and oversee the accounting and finance teams.

By Jane Thier • Dec. 17, 2020

Luckin Coffee hit with $180M SEC fine

The company misstated earnings and revenue to suggest it was achieving rapid growth and increased profitability when it wasn't, the Securities and Exchange Commission says in its settlement agreement. 

By Robert Freedman , Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 17, 2020

Sweetgreen will open its first drive-thru in 2021

The test location will feature dedicated parking spots where diners can order from intercoms. Customers who want to eat on-premise can dine in their cars or at an outdoor patio area. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 17, 2020

McDonald’s USA president calls for end of corporate communication freeze, Restaurant Business reports

Joe Erlinger called on franchisees in a video Thursday to end a six-week halt in nonessential communication with corporate, which was incited by frustration over new fees and the end of a Happy Meal subsidy. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 22, 2021

Postmates joins Uber, DoorDash in bankrolling driver benefits in CA with price hikes

The aggregators are rolling out customer fees to help pay for healthcare subsidies, mileage reimbursement and occupational insurance they promised in winning ballot measure Proposition 22. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 20, 2021

Bankruptcy court approves By Chloe's plan to sell company

Co-founder and chef Chloe Coscarelli is reportedly exploring a bid for the company, which she left after a dispute with a shareholder.

By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 8, 2021