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Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Articles by
Heather Lalley

Page 80
Marketing

Panera debuts an at-home summer camp for cooped-up families

The fast-casual chain joins Shake Shack in offering seasonal fun while building brand awareness for kids and parents during the pandemic.

Operations

Even as they await a new round of federal aid, independent restaurants continue to shut their doors

Independent restaurants, many of which have won awards and operated for decades, are closing due to the impacts of the pandemic.

Operations

What happens to outdoor dining in fall and winter?

Restaurants that pivoted to outside operations amid the pandemic are wrestling with how to keep things rolling through cold, snow and more.

Operations

El Pollo Loco turns to drive-thru improvements to boost traffic

The fast-casual chicken chain is plotting handheld menu offerings while also working on drive-thru speed and accuracy.

Operations

Shake Shack has a real estate problem

The fast-casual burger chain is searching for ways to make its once-enviable real estate portfolio work during the pandemic.

Operations

Same-store sales remain down nearly 50% at Shake Shack

But the burger chain, hampered during the pandemic by its urban-centric locations, is resuming unit growth and is plotting its first drive-thru.

Consumer Trends

Survey: Consumers are increasingly cutting back on dining out

Fear of contracting the coronavirus is keeping many from visiting restaurants, according to a survey from consulting firm AlixPartners.

Operations

Pret shuts its Chicago and Boston markets as sales plunge nearly 90%

The U.K.-based fast-casual chain is pursuing new delivery channels and other steps to stabilize its downward slide.

Operations

Restaurants face a new pandemic headache: Coin shortages

Some operators are resorting to bribing customers for coins or encouraging employees to bring in spare change from home.

Financing

Wingstop’s success story continues despite the pandemic

The fast-casual wing chain, whose dining rooms remain closed, reported same-store sales growth of nearly 32% for Q2.

Operations

Chipotle customers must now wear masks

The fast-casual chain joins a growing list of restaurants mandating masks inside to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Financing

MOD Pizza buys 13 stores from a struggling franchisee

The fast-casual pizza chain acquired the restaurants from SD Holdings, a multi-brand franchisee that declared bankruptcy in February.

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