OpenTable launches restaurant restriction heat map for diners

The reservation platform will also roll out a hub for operators on Thursday called At Your Service, which includes flow controls to limit the number of covers or parties that can book a reservation.

By Alicia Kelso • April 6, 2021

Consumer advocacy groups urge FDA to require menu labeling on delivery apps

The FDA said that these companies likely do not meet the definition of covered establishments under the current requirements. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 5, 2021

Starbucks will use analytics to track promotion decisions in diversity push

Other initiatives, including the hire of an independent labor economist, come after Starbucks resolved EEOC allegations of discriminatory practices against the chain.

By Julie Littman • April 5, 2021

Report: 10% of all restaurants have closed during pandemic

Chain restaurants with less than 501 locations have closed at a higher rate than independent restaurants, with the largest permanent closure rate — 16.2% — among chains with 51 to 100 units.

By Alicia Kelso • March 31, 2021

Miami 1 year later: Sunshine, loose restrictions spark restaurant real estate frenzy

The city's balmy climate and open space — combined with the local government's relatively loose COVID-19 limits — insulated its dining scene from the level of revenue disruption suffered by markets like New York City.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 26, 2021

As Trump-era tip pool expansion takes effect, DOL delays other proposals

While provisions prohibiting managers from keeping tips and allowing non-tipped workers into certain tip pools will take effect April 30 as planned, other portions of the rule will be delayed until Dec. 31. 

By Kate Tornone • Updated April 28, 2021

Biden signs PPP extension into law, pushes deadline to May 31

The law gives the Small Business Administration until June 30 to close pending Paycheck Protection Program applications. 

By Anna Hrushka • Updated March 31, 2021

EEOC: IHOP manager conditioned leave, scheduling on accepting sexual advances

More harassment claims are filed in the restaurant industry than in any other industry, sources have said.

By Lisa Burden • March 26, 2021

Domino's franchisee to deliver $3M to settle drivers' wage and hour claims

The plaintiffs claimed they were not reimbursed for their own delivery expenses such as vehicle maintenance and insurance.

By Lisa Burden • March 25, 2021

Washington, DC, 1 year later: Restaurants hammered by protests, insurrection and inauguration restrictions

While other major restaurant cities struggled to survive pandemic restrictions, District operators also had to contend with government-mandated curfews amid widespread protests and the fallout of the Capitol riot. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 24, 2021

Chicago 1 year later: Winter froze restaurant sales amid strict restrictions

Brutally cold weather is a staple of life in Illinois' restaurant capital, but the coronavirus forced many operators into hibernation, risking the future of one of the most impactful industries in the region.

By Julie Littman • March 22, 2021

Los Angeles 1 year later: Restaurants feel abandoned amid 'random' restrictions

California's aggressive response to the COVID-19 outbreak — including two rounds of months-long outdoor dining bans — put pressure on LA restaurants' bottom lines despite state and county aid.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 19, 2021

50% of restaurants plan to incentivize employees to get vaccinated, survey says

Even after employees are vaccinated, 75% of restaurants said they will keep their safety protocols in place, according to a report from BlackBox Intelligence.

By Alicia Kelso • March 18, 2021

New York City 1 year later: Restaurants faced a 'one-two punch'

Restaurants in the Big Apple dealt with constantly shifting dining room regulations and a tough winter climate on top of declining sales related to the pandemic.

By Julie Littman • March 17, 2021

Seattle 1 year later: Many restaurants are 'just holding water'

During the pandemic, downtown eateries are struggling to stay in business with no office workers to serve, while neighborhood spots find ways to appeal to the work-from-home crowd.

By Julie Littman , Thai Phi Le • March 15, 2021

1 year later: How the pandemic impacted 6 major restaurant cities

In this series, Restaurant Dive explores how Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Washington, D.C., were impacted by local dining room restrictions, COVID-19 cases, weather and restaurant support programs.

By Restaurant Dive staff • March 15, 2021

Restaurants win $28.6B relief fund in Biden's stimulus. Here's how it works.

Restaurants won't have access to grants until at least next month, Patrick Kelley, associate administrator for the Small Business Association's Office of Capital Access, told a Senate committee Wednesday. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 26, 2021

Restaurant job growth, sales boost from stimulus checks hint at recovery

The $1,400 stimulus checks that are part of President Joe Biden's COVID-19 relief package could lift restaurant sales by low- to mid-single digits for up to seven weeks, per Bloomberg Intelligence.

By Alicia Kelso • March 9, 2021

CDC: On-site restaurant dining leads to increased rate of COVID-19 cases, deaths

The National Restaurant Association criticized the latest research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calling it "an ill-informed attack on the industry hardest-hit by the pandemic." 

By Alicia Kelso • March 8, 2021

Report: QSR workers in Los Angeles County vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure

At least 59 outbreaks were reported at QSRs between July and December 2020, impacting about 338 workers, per research from UCLA and UC Berkeley.

By Alicia Kelso • March 5, 2021

Chipotle will tie 10% of executive incentives to environmental, diversity goals

The company aims to source 37 million pounds of organic, locally grown produce this year and promote more women and people of color above the restaurant level.  

By Julie Littman • Updated March 4, 2021

Chipotle to settle 2017 overtime dispute with $15M payout

Plaintiffs alleged Chipotle switched employees who were eligible for overtime back to "exempt" status while an injunction related to the The Fair Labor Standards Act, which expanded overtime rules, was in place.

By Alicia Kelso • March 3, 2021

Texas, Mississippi and Massachusetts reopen dining rooms at 100% capacity

The states cite a reduction in cases and hospitalization rates and increased access to vaccines as cause for removing restrictions, but a CDC official says it may be too soon. 

By Julie Littman • March 3, 2021

McDonald's CEO calls for updates to workplace safety policy

Tasking four of the company's top leaders with updating its brand standards on the issue, and taking employee and franchisee feedback into account, could help further address the chain's culture issues. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 2, 2021

NRA among largest food donors to campaigns and lobbyists, study finds

According to nonprofit Feed the Truth, the association is the second largest food industry funder of political campaigns. Contributions, however, fell to a low in 2020 of $438,000 — down from more than $600,000 in 2018.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 25, 2021