News

McDonald’s may consider rent deferrals for its franchisees

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 17, 2020

As the chain closes dining areas amid the spread of coronavirus, it is working to ensure its operators have the cash to get through a sales slump.

Operations

Grubhub clarifies its restaurant aid program amid operator complaints

By Heather Lalley and Peter Romeo on Mar. 17, 2020

With some operators calling it a “bait and switch,” the third-party delivery provider is offering up new details on its repayment guidelines for restaurants.

Financing

A ‘meteor’ obliterates restaurant stocks as in-store dining stops

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 17, 2020

Valuations for many chains suggest potentially serious problems, and that could bode ill for the entire industry, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Operations

25%-30% of independent restaurants could close, Texas Restaurant Association warns

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 17, 2020

The shutdowns could cost 1 million jobs, according to the association.

Financing

Restaurants are already seeing traffic declines over coronavirus

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 17, 2020

Growing restrictions and fear are keeping people at home as more than two-thirds of operators tell Black Box their traffic is down.

Operations

White House says relief for restaurants is in the works

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 17, 2020

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says measures will allow closed restaurants to continue paying their employees. Loans and direct payments to consumers would be part of a $1 trillion relief package.

Financing

Restaurant stocks crash again as fears over dine-in closures mount

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 16, 2020

Denny’s was the first U.S. chain to acknowledge that the coronavirus would impact its quarterly results.

Financing

McDonald’s to close seating areas at company restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 16, 2020

The company expects most of its operators to take the same stance amid growing demands to eliminate dine-in visits to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Operations