News

Despite the shutdown, Fatburger’s owner sees buying opportunities

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 28, 2020

Fat Brands says it expects to close a deal by the end of this quarter as prices fall and flexibility increases.

Lenders weigh a new restaurant landscape

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 28, 2020

With a lot of operators in dire straits, expect banks to give them breaks—but the post-pandemic lending market could be very different, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Cosi sues the SBA over PPP funds

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 28, 2020

The fast-casual concept is taking issue with the agency’s requirement that a company can’t be in bankruptcy to receive funds, even though other companies filed for protection after receiving approval.

Operations

Georgia restaurateurs band together in keeping their dining rooms closed

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 28, 2020

More than 50 operators took out an ad to say “public safety is the top priority” and vowed to keep their restaurants shuttered amid the governor’s OK.

Leadership

Beto Guajardo named president of Focus Brands International

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 28, 2020

Tory Bartlett was named chief operating officer and brand lead of Schlotzsky’s

Operations

Can restaurants survive at 25% capacity?

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 28, 2020

Even the Texas Restaurant Association doubts operators in its state can. But Gov. Greg Abbott’s limited opening of dining rooms is intended to be the start of a process—and one that could be duplicated elsewhere.

Financing

Is this the end of the buffet?

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 27, 2020

As restaurants reopen, many regulations explicitly forbid buffets and self-service. That could require massive changes at buffet concepts, or their end altogether, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

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.

Marketing