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Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Adding more Tents for Outdoor Dining even as Indoor Dining Resumes at most Restaurants Understanding the importance and popularity of outdoor dining during the COVID-19 crisis, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers said it plans to add tents to restaurants even as indoor dining resumes at most restaurants. The company plans to outfit… read more

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Private equity firm Levine Leichtman on said it has partnered with management to acquire Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Café. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition gives the Los Angeles-based Levine one of the industry’s fastest-growing concepts. Tropical Smoothie has averaged 23% system sales growth over the past five years, including 22% in… read more

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The National Restaurant Association Show has opened attendee registration for the 2021 event, to be held May 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Following the challenges brought on by COVID-19, the Show will provide attendees with exactly what they need—an in-person experience for discovering unique products, creating business connections with key suppliers, accessing education on… read more

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Virtual brands are plentiful now, as both brand-new concepts and pivots from existing companies to survive. The H.Wood Group, based in Los Angeles, has taken existing brands and transformed them into digital concepts while also creating new virtual brands. Oh, and they created a program to schedule and conduct COVID-19 tests. Easy pivots. “We really… read more

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The parent company of Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza has reached a deal that gives it $200 million in financing to get through the bankruptcy process and find a buyer. CEC Entertainment, which declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June as landlords began suing the company over leases, is receiving “debtor-in-possession” financing from some of its… read more

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“New Jersey’s normally bustling restaurant and hospitality industry help drive the economy in our local communities,” Menendez said. “The Restaurants Act will help give them the financial relief many need to stay open, keep people employed and drive our economic recovery.” The bill, which has the backing of the National Restaurant Association and the Independent… read more

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New York City has been the only region in the state where indoor dining was not allowed during the third phase of its reopening plan, as health officials worried that people eating inside without masks could spread the novel coronavirus. Cuomo said the decision was made following compliance and rule enforcement improvements. He said the… read more

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Whether you’re tailgating or watching the game on your couch with friends and family, Twin Peaks has these new kits available for delivery, online ordering, or curbside pickup at participating locations that will enhance your sports viewing experience: Twin Peaks Wing Packs – Boneless, bone-in naked, bone-in breaded or smoked and grilled wings, served in… read more

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Starting this month, MEG will host a series of “TED Talk-like” presentations that address issues associated with the pandemic and how to market businesses effectively in the midst of the crisis. Without question, COVID-19 has changed the industry’s approach to marketing and the messaging operators use to communicate with customers. Customers’ dining needs have changed… read more

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Grilling recipes and techniques were top-of-mind among readers of The Friday Feed as they headed into Labor Day weekend. Burger shaping best practices from The Kitchen, barbecue sauce wisdom from Food & Wine, and a roster of diverse cookout recipes from Bon Apetit and Taste of Home all fed readers’ cravings for one last taste… read more