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.

Stimulus checks head to restaurants again

The industry started 2021 with its best couple of weeks since the pandemic began, which could point to a fast recovery, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Restaurant sales to jump 10.2% in 2021, National Restaurant Association says

The group’s just-issued forecast expects sales at eating and drinking places will hit $548.3 billion.

Financing

With help from a virtual brand, Chili's sees near-normal sales in January

Parent Brinker International revealed plans to expand It's Just Wing's reach and to digitize more of the Chili's experience.

RB editors summarize the day’s most important stories.

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McDonald’s ends a tough year on a strong note

Starbucks on track for recovery, thanks to its loyal customers

DoorDash releases football fans’ top ordering trends on game day

With help from a virtual brand, Chili's sees near-normal sales in January

Why fast-food restaurants need more than just a redesign

States start closing dining rooms again

With coronavirus spiking throughout the country, several states have started closing dine-in service again.

Register for the all-digital Innovation in Foodservice Summit

Recovery and Rebuild: Getting your restaurant back on track

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

Operations

BurgerFi mounts aggressive growth plan

The newly public, better-burger chain, which released preliminary Q4 results Wednesday, said it plans to add 30-35 new locations this year.

Financing

Stimulus checks head to restaurants again

The industry started 2021 with its best couple of weeks since the pandemic began, which could point to a fast recovery, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Technology

Ohio city takes delivery into its own hands

Beachwood Delivers is a fee-free delivery service that has saved restaurants and consumers thousands.

Evolving Kitchens

Top 500 Chains

Coronavirus and Restaurant Technology

Future 50 (2020)

50 Great Ideas (2020)

Top 100 Independents 2020

Financing

Cici’s buyers are betting on the chain’s future

The owners of Roy's and Mooyah Burgers are teaming up on an effort to buy the pizza buffet chain out of bankruptcy.

Operations

New restaurant openings approach pre-pandemic levels

Yelp data showed one promising sign for restaurants amid an otherwise difficult year.

Workforce

Olive Garden's parent sets a policy on employee vaccinations

Darden Restaurants will provide four hours of paid time for getting the anti-COVID shots, but will not require the inoculations

Food

McDonald’s is bringing back Spicy Chicken McNuggets

The popular item, which quickly sold out last year, will make another comeback next month.

Food

Pizza Hut introduces Detroit-style pizza nationwide

The limited-time offer comes as competition in the pizza sector intensifies.

Food

Operators bid goodbye to January with winter meals and deals

Taste Tracker: Big discounts at Farmer Boys, Luna Grill wraps it to go, Zaxby’s taps Chinese flavors and bagel seasoning inspires Firehouse Subs.

Financing

Restaurant sales to jump 10.2% in 2021, National Restaurant Association says

The group’s just-issued forecast expects sales at eating and drinking places will hit $548.3 billion.

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