US restaurant chain transactions drop by 36%

March 30, 2020

The mandated restaurant dine-in closures are hitting chains hard, according to the NPD Group. Total restaurant customer transactions declined by 36% in the…

Foodservice distributors praise passage of CARES Act, say more is needed

March 30, 2020

The International Foodservice Distributors Association is applauding the government's passage of the CARES Act, but Mark Allen, president and CEO of the…

Muscle Maker Grill opens 6th military base location

March 30, 2020

Muscle Maker Grill opens Monday at MCCS Hampton Roads at Camp Elmore, a U.S. Marine Corps base in Norfolk, Virginia that is a satellite of the Naval station…

Wahlburgers replacing restaurants inside Hy-Vee stores

March 29, 2020

Hy-Vee, a grocer based in the Midwest that became Wahlburgers' largest franchisee three years ago, is adding to that lead by transforming all its Market Grille…

2 restaurateurs' views over 2 weeks of US pandemic

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

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Nekter launches 'take-and-make' smoothies

March 27, 2020

To help meet the need for healthy, convenient products, Nekter Juice Bar has developed made-to-order, pre-portioned frozen versions of its smoothies, so…

Chipotle's Challenger Series going virtual

March 26, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill has launched the 2020 Chipotle Challenger Series featuring online qualifying and finale competitions throughout 2020. To promote the…

Wow Bao wants to be your next revenue stream

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The Chicago-based chain is giving restaurant brands all over the U.S. access to another revenue stream by allowing them to serve a limited menu of its Bao…

Dog Haus launching restaurant group to house 9 brands

March 26, 2020

The founders of Dog Haus — Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz and André Vener — are taking their gourmet hot dogs, sausages and burgers to a whole new level with…

Webinar to offer guidance on controlling COVID-19 in food facilities

March 26, 2020

During a free webinar at 12:30 p.m. ET Friday, former FDA Chief Medical Officer David Acheson will update the food industry on ways to control the coronavirus…

Boloco CEO: 'It was a miraculous day'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

COVID-19 is taking its toll on businesses across the U.S., and Boloco CEO John Pepper wasn't going down without a fight.

Is the government's boost enough to save the restaurant industry?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Leaders of Firehouse Subs, Boloco and the National Restaurant Association weigh in on if the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act goes far enough…

U.S. on same COVID-19 path as China, says Starbucks chief

March 25, 2020

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, whose company saw the coronavirus hit China back in December, believes the U.S. is on a "very similar" track with COVID-19.

Boloco CEO: 'Survival is in question'

Boloco CEO John Pepper calls on customers to help him stay open.

Stimulus package to provide $350B in small business loans

March 25, 2020

The largest stimulus bill in U.S. history is almost reality, thanks to a deal struck this morning between the White House and U.S. Senate okaying $2 trillion…

Gusto offering dining bonds to pay employees

March 25, 2020

Atlanta-based Gusto has found an innovative way to generate revenue for their employees by creating dining bonds. Customers who purchase a $100 dining bond now…

Yelp findings show consumer interests in pandemic-stricken US

March 25, 2020

Yelp released its Coronavirus Economic Impact Report that shows some consumer trends developing amidst the nation's fight against COVID-19 infections…

Revention launches order/delivery bundle providing no-contact delivery

March 25, 2020

Revention, a restaurant order management provider, is offering an online ordering and delivery starter bundle, at a reduced price, as restaurants grapple with…

How Cousins Subs is delaying layoffs as long as possible

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Like many restaurant concepts trying to survive COVID-19, sales are down at Cousins Subs, a Wisconsin-based chain with more than 100 locations. CEO Christine…

National Restaurant Show canceled due to COVID-19 safety concerns

March 24, 2020

The National Restaurant Association is canceling this year's show citing concerns regarding the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.