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Independent Restaurants

Operations

21 Club, Cliff House fall victim to COVID-19

 By Peter Romeo on Dec. 14, 2020

The two icons join a growing list of restaurants that have closed during the pandemic.

Operations

Danny Meyer’s Blue Smoke closes for good

 By Heather Lalley on Dec. 02, 2020

The New York City barbecue restaurant, which had operated for 18 years, was widely credited with launching an urban barbecue renaissance.

Technology

Rick Bayless debuts a members-only YouTube channel

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 02, 2020

The effort, which features weekly cooking demos and live cook-alongs, is designed to help pay the salaries of some of the chef-restaurateur's employees during the pandemic.

Operations

Danny Meyer shuts down his restaurants (again) as COVID cases rise

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 23, 2020

Meyer said all on-premise service at Union Square Hospitality Group restaurants would be suspended to preserve the health and safety of employees.

Operations

With no aid and more shutdowns, independents face a long, desperate winter

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 21, 2020

Many independent restaurants limped through earlier closures, thanks to limited federal aid, but operators say their future is even more precarious during this latest round of dining closures.

Workforce

Lettuce Entertain You plans to lay off more than 1,000 workers

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 16, 2020

The Chicago-based multi-concept operator intends to let go of previously furloughed employees from more than two dozen restaurants, according to a filing with Illinois labor authorities.

Financing

Hai Hospitality receives ‘substantial’ investment to grow its concepts

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 11, 2020

The Austin, Texas-based multiconcept operator plans to expand its modern Japanese restaurant Uchi and its Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar brand with the funding.

Operations

Court rules Illinois restaurant operator must abide by dine-in shutdown

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 10, 2020

FoxFire restaurant, which had been granted a temporary restraining order that allowed it to keep its doors open, said it will now take its case to the state supreme court.

Operations

Chicago launches a contest to boost takeout orders

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 09, 2020

The city has also announced $10 million in grants for independent restaurants and bars, as well as workforce training resources for laid-off hospitality employees.

Operations

Restaurants winterize menus and service to adapt to chilly outdoor dining

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 07, 2020

Heartier dishes and cooking techniques, heat-retaining serving vessels and creative experiences are luring diners outside.

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