3 branding experts weigh in on QSR bond-building, mid-pandemic

by Martha Lucius — Restaurant Strategist, marthalucius.com

Customer connection has perhaps never been as key to brand survival as it is now. Here, three experts specializing in this form of communication give their…

Nathan's Famous jumps into the meal kit business

Those hankering for a Nathan's Famous dog or other menu item will soon be able to get one hot and delivered through the chain's new host kitchen partnership.

McDonald's top execs to cut salaries as March sales drop 22%

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

McDonald's executives are slashing salaries amid a sharp drop in same-store sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Third 'Takeout Tuesday' moves to top others with major prizes

April 6, 2020

The Great American Takeout returns Tuesday for its third week, this time with a chance to win a year of free takeout, according to a news release.  As an…

Restaurant transactions drop 42% in wake of COVID-19 dine-in closures

April 6, 2020

Restaurant customer transactions in the U.S. fell sharply in the last week of March, dropping 42% compared to the same week in 2019, and full-service…

Franchisors on the sale hunt despite COVID-19 crisis

April 3, 2020

About two-thirds of franchisors are actively advancing franchise sales efforts despite the COVID-19 pandemic hitting across the globe.

Del Taco draws down $50M on revolving credit facility, withdraws 2020 guidance

April 2, 2020

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. withdrew its 2020 earnings outlook and has drawn down $50 million on its revolving credit facility, among several measures taken to…

Checkers, Rally's CEO on jumping into the driver's seat in a firestorm

Just about three weeks after veteran restaurant industry leader, Frances Allen, took the reins at Checkers and Rally's, the biggest crisis to hit the industry…

7 ways the CARES Act could hurt restaurants

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The National Restaurant Association this week sent letters to leaders at the U.S. Treasury and Small Business Administration asking for clarification — and in…

Restaurateurs, start your engines! It's Takeout Tuesday

March 31, 2020

The Great American Takeout is amping up the activity in its second consecutive week, by both asking Americans to order delivery or pickup "at least one…

Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons company CEO lays out COVID-19 response

Restaurant Brands International CEO Jose Cil sent an information-filled letter to the system, media and investors to provide a look at the many levels the…

Farmers Insurance temporarily adds free delivery coverage to individual policies

March 31, 2020

With states enacting restaurant seating restrictions and stay-at-home orders to help deter the spread of the COVID-19, Farmers Insurance said it's temporarily…

5 ways QSRs can build a bridge to the 'other side' of COVID-19

by Jimmy Oliva — CEO, Ordereze

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the name of the game is sustaining business for many, if not most, QSR operators. Here are five ways to build your bridge to the…

Michigan's Halo Burger closes temporarily, starts employee fund

March 30, 2020

Michigan regional QSR,  Halo Burger, announced they will give 25% of all gift card sales to a fund for employee support during the pandemic called the Halo…

Restaurateurs respond to Senate's passage of stimulus package

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Leaders of Firehouse Subs, Boloco and the National Restaurant Association weigh in on if the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act goes far enough…

Wendy's North American sales up 15% 1st week of March, down 20% last week

Despite a successful re-entry into the breakfast daypart, Wendy's Q1 financials show the pain that even the largest QSRs are facing amidst pandemic…

Yelp findings show consumer interests in pandemic-stricken US

March 25, 2020

Yelp released its Coronavirus Economic Impact Report that shows some consumer trends developing amidst the nation's fight against COVID-19 infections…

Revention launches order/delivery bundle providing no-contact delivery

March 25, 2020

Revention, a restaurant order management provider, is offering an online ordering and delivery starter bundle, at a reduced price, as restaurants grapple with…

Yum Brands closing 7,000 stores globally due to COVID-19

March 25, 2020

Yum Brands is closing 1,000 Pizza Hut Express outlets and at least 900 U.K. KFC stores in a group of 7,000 restaurant outlets the Louisville, Kentucky-based…

COVID-19 blindsided restaurateurs right from start, Ohio poll shows

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

As early as March 8, as COVID-19 restrictions in the U.S. were just beginning, Ohio restaurateurs were hit with a sucker punch that knocked sales down 20…