Coronavirus Resources

Illinois finds $50M in pandemic aid for restaurants

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 22, 2023

Another $75 million was found for hotels. The money is intended to ease a transition from survival to sustained recovery.

Premium

Financing

Still need financial aid? The SBA says it has more options

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 16, 2021

The PPP and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund may be done, but the agency's Emergency Injury Disaster Loan program still has money available for loans and grants.

Workforce

WARN Act filings breed confusion for restaurant chains

By Peter Romeo on Oct. 05, 2020

Just ask P.F. Chang's, says RB's Reality Check.

Operations

Best practices for weathering a second COVID wave

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 28, 2020

The restaurant industry had never faced a situation like the pandemic. What have operators learned that could help them survive the next onslaught? Here’s what we’re hearing.

Operations

How to avoid a blowup when guests refuse to wear masks

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 25, 2020

The CDC updated its guidelines yesterday for keeping the confrontations from escalating into violence. How well do your policies conform?

Operations

In memoriam: Temporary restaurant closures become permanent for independents amid the coronavirus crisis

By Heather Lalley on May 08, 2020

The coronavirus crisis is decimating independent restaurants. Here are just some of the many iconic independents that have recently announced permanent closures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Financing

BJ's nears break-even point, even at 25% capacity

By Peter Romeo on May 08, 2020

Stores in Texas have generated $20,500 in weekly on-premise sales, even with three of every four seats out of use.

Operations

What's necessary to reopen? Depends on where you are

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 27, 2020

The requirements or recommendations for resuming dine-in service vary widely from state to state, if they exist at all. Here's a sampling, along with some of the few near-constants.

Operations