News

Tech roundup: Guy Fieri launches virtual brand, Lyft leans in to delivery

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 16, 2021

Also, a new partnership aims to help put independent restaurants on the map.

McDonald’s will let you buy early access to its chicken sandwich

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 16, 2021

The company, preparing a national launch of the product next week, will let customers buy a limited-edition capsule that includes a hoodie and an audio track from producer Tay Keith.

Operations

McDonald’s faces another discrimination lawsuit

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 16, 2021

Herb Washington, one of the company’s most prominent Black franchise owners, is accusing the company of forcing him to sell stores to White operators.

Financing

Punch Bowl Social kicks off its sale process

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 16, 2021

The company and its lender have made peace and the company is attracting interest from potential buyers.

Operations

Multi-concept Ark Restaurants is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the future

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 16, 2021

The operator of many independent concepts said it expects to be in the black by Q3 after a massive pandemic downturn.

Technology

Startup Mealco wants to streamline the virtual brand model

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 12, 2021

The company allows chefs to develop and manage concepts remotely while it takes care of the rest.

Technology

Despite added costs, Uber Eats says Prop 22 is the right model

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 12, 2021

The company has raised fees in California to pay for added driver benefits and has also absorbed some of the costs itself.

Marketing

As lawsuits hit, restaurant chains’ defenses go beyond the courtroom

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 12, 2021

Subway’s tuna sandwich lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal challenges to restaurants’ ingredients and quality. Defending these to customers is even more important.

Financing