Business Strategy and Profitability News & Media

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…

read now

National Restaurant Show canceled due to COVID-19 safety concerns

March 24, 2020

The National Restaurant Association is canceling this year's show citing concerns regarding the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

read now

Nathan's Famous gives 7,000 Angus burgers to food bank

March 24, 2020

Even as restaurant sales slow to a sputter, Nathan's Famous is reaching out to the communities around its stores to help out as many families struggle to make…

read now

Major media industry player steps up to help restaurants

March 24, 2020

The restaurant industry is getting some public service announcement assistance from the television and newspaper industry. Cincinnati, Ohio-based media…

read now

The Big Shift: Transition to 'delivery only' tough, but potentially lifesaving

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

The pandemic that has now got the U.S. restaurant industry in a stranglehold is forcing many brands to delivery-only operations, which not only is requiring…

read now

Wendy's ceases most US carryout, McDonald's does so in UK, Ireland

March 23, 2020

QSRs are increasingly turning to blogs from their executives speaking directly to customers and shareholders to relay COVID-19 restaurant news, including the…

read now

Restaurant food distributors estimate losses of $24B in 3 months

March 23, 2020

The restaurant industry is hurting and so are its food distributors, who are expected to lose $24 billion over the next three months alone as the pandemic…

read now

Yum China sees 'early signs of recovery'

March 23, 2020

Yum China Holdings, Inc. said that despite the "unprecedented scale and impact" of the pandemic across its locations in China, leadership at the company is…

read now

Is your restaurant speaking the COVID-19-era customer's language?

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

The seismic shift that COVID-19 has put on everything about restaurant "life as usual" demands an equally substantial shift in marketing and communication…

read now

Some COVID-19 aid for foodservice now a reality, more coming

March 19, 2020

After signing the coronavirus relief package into law late Wednesday, restaurateurs and the people they employ are all waiting to see how the aid will help…

read now

Adapting to the new normal: Vendors offer free services to restaurant operators

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

Restaurant operators are scurrying to completely revamp operations to meet the needs of a more or less "locked-in" customer through delivery, drive-thru and…

read now

Sales falling at 70% of US restaurants

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

The restaurant industry is reeling, according to the most recent data collected by Black Box Intelligence, and unfortunately, that's expected to increase.

read now

Trump to restaurant CEOs: 'You’re really going to like what we’re doing'

March 18, 2020

Leaders of some of the biggest names in the QSR and fast casual industries spoke with President Donald Trump Tuesday about their struggles to keep their…

read now

McDonald's, Wendy's CEOs outline brands' pandemic responses

March 17, 2020

McDonald's and Wendy's have released CEO statements around each brand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including closing in-store dining at McDonald's…

read now

Amidst the pandemic's pandemonium, restaurants reach out to help

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

There is no doubt that the current pandemic will have a riveting effect on all business, including restaurants. Despite that, some brands are still reaching…

read now

Chick-fil-A among brands that closed dine-in

March 16, 2020

In the midst of the pandemic, Chick-fil-A also said it is temporarily closing dining room seating to help limit person-to-person contact of COVID-19. The brand…

read now

White Castle's pandemic response shows QSR strains amid dine-in closings

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

With five states closing in-restaurant dining, we talk to one QSR affected by the closures in response to the pandemic and how it's affecting operations for…

read now

Breakfast 'war' pushes restaurant sales up despite COVID-19

March 16, 2020

The breakfast war between QSRs drove U.S. customer transactions up at quick service restaurants despite all the negative impact on the restaurant industry due…

read now

From bento boxes, to boozy breakfasts, K2 bakes up offbeat brands

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

California born and bred restaurant brand innovator, K2, is on a mission to wake up limited service, among other dining categories. In today's podcast, K2 CEO…

listen now

How the restaurant industry is staying the course during the pandemic

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

As coronavirus is officially dubbed a pandemic by the World Health Organization, restaurant brands are doing their best to adapt.

read now