Restaurant Business

Restaurant Business is tracking the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry. Please check back often for round-the-clock updates.

Why Il Mulino decided to declare bankruptcy

The high-end chain filed for seven of its 16 units in a bid to outmaneuver a creditor looking to take the company over.

A look at Starbucks’ U.S. comeback strategy

The coffee giant is banking on a new store strategy, its growing loyalty program and plant-based food to recover sales lost due to COVID-19.

Financing

Wendy’s sales soar in July, thanks to breakfast

The chain’s same-store sales rose 8.2% during the month, and the company is now planning to spend big to market the daypart later this year.

New to the dollar menu: Five Iowa Burger Kings

How chef Ahktar Nawab touches every corner of the industry with restaurants, food halls, a hospitality company and more

Potbelly stock surges on news that it’s back from the brink

Tim Hortons struggles while Popeyes surges

DoorDash, National Restaurant Association to host virtual restaurant conference

States start to reopen dining rooms

After a nearly nationwide shutdown to curb COVID-19, states are beginning to lift restrictions on restaurants. RB will update this map with the latest information.

Register for the all-digital Innovation in Foodservice Summit

Join the "Coronavirus in the Food & Beverage Industry" private Facebook group

Financing

Burger King’s owner plans to close hundreds of restaurants

Restaurant Brands International is working with operators of its brands, including Popeyes and Tim Hortons, to close underperforming restaurants.

Technology

Waitr turns a profit in Q2 amid rising demand and reduced costs

After a rocky start as a public company, the delivery service seems to be stabilizing.

Operations

Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana stock surges as sales improve

With dining rooms closed, same-store sales are down in the teens at both brands in July.

America's Favorite Chains

Future 50 (2020)

Top 500 Chains

50 Great Ideas

Power 20

Top 100 Independents 2019

Financing

With record sales, Papa John’s turns to unit expansion

The pizza chain’s same-store sales were up a record 28% in North America in 2Q and accelerated in July, prompting the company to focus on growth.

Consumer Trends

Political affiliation plays into dining-out decisions, finds new poll

Democrats and Republications are divided about restaurant dining during a pandemic.

Operations

Survey: One-third of independents say they won’t make it through October

Mounting debt and operational uncertainty are creating a bleak future for mom and pops, according to a survey from the James Beard Foundation and the Independent Restaurant Coalition.

Financing

Restaurant sales are slowly returning

Benchmarks suggest continued gradual improvement in industry sales, with fast food leading the way. But concerns remain.

Technology

DoorDash to deliver restaurant retail items via new DashMart channel

The curated selection will also include grocery and household goods available for delivery from centralized "micro-fulfillment" centers.

Operations

New York cracks down on restaurants that ignore COVID safety rules

Nearly 100 places have been stripped of their liquor licenses, and 600 more face fines of up to $10,000. Just shy of 1,000 places were checked on Monday night alone.

Financing

Wendy’s sales soar in July, thanks to breakfast

The chain’s same-store sales rose 8.2% during the month, and the company is now planning to spend big to market the daypart later this year.

Future 50 2019

These emerging chains are the growth vehicles to watch—the ones poised to be major industry players in the coming years.

Recipedia

Food trends and recipes to keep menus fresh

Concepts to Watch

New restaurants and soon-to-open concepts worth monitoring

Top 100 Independents

RB’s exclusive ranking of the highest-grossing independent restaurants

Headspinners & Nightmares

Peter Romeo highlights the moments restaurateurs miss at their own peril

50 Great Ideas

Ideas from the field you may want to borrow

Restaurant Business