Startup restaurant matchmaker Franklin Junction finds restaurants with spare kitchen space, and marries them with brands that want to expand their delivery-only reach. Ruby Tuesday, which has permanently closed several restaurants in recent months, has found a new way to generate revenue during the pandemic: sell hot dogs from Nathan’s Famous. Dozens of Ruby Tuesday restaurants… read more

Starbucks announced it will expedite the rollout of its new “Pickup” store concept, powered by mobile ordering, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It will also expand access to curbside pickup, drive-thru and walk-up counters in less dense, suburban markets, the company said. These changes aren’t going to arrive as new additions to Starbucks’ existing… read more

Starbucks announced that starting July 15, customers will be required to wear face masks in all company-owned café locations in the U.S. Customers, however, will not be required to wear facial coverings in the drive-thru or picking up curbside “unless locally mandated,” Starbucks clarified in a tweet announcing the news. Customers who prefer to not… read more

Sales of plant-based meat alternatives increased by 23% when merchandised in the meat department at grocery stores, according to new research from the Plant Based Foods Association and the Kroger Co. The placement of plant-based proteins was tested during a 12-week period prior to the coronavirus pandemic at 60 stores in Colorado, Indiana and Illinois…. read more

Not the traditional ones with tables and wait staff, where the right space and location matters, rather they are renting space in industrial kitchens and using third-party delivery services. Known as ghost kitchens, with most facilities lacking signage or any visible branding, this concept helps bring new cuisines and menu concepts to urban areas. “A… read more

The 100+-location, Annapolis, Md.-based regional pizza franchise Ledo Pizza has announced Will Robinson as the company’s first chief marketing officer. With 12 years of experience as Ledo Pizza’s vice president of restaurant marketing, Robinson was promoted to CMO where he will oversee the company’s sales and marketing budget and technology, manage franchise partners and third-party… read more

Offering restaurant health care benefits can help you attract and retain loyal staff. Yet these benefits come with many regulations that are important for small businesses to know. As you begin the process of rehiring employees, learn about common mistakes — and how to avoid compliance penalties. 1) Ask only limited health questions, even with… read more

Nothing says summertime like outdoor dining. Sidewalk tables have always been major business for restaurants, but with many states still in reopening phases that require indoor dining to be closed down, what will outdoor dining look like during summer 2020? New York, the original center of the coronavirus crisis when it first came to the… read more

When COVID-19 hit in March, Vincent Williams, the owner of Los Angeles-based, fast-casual concept Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken, was planning on expanding his business with both virtual and traditional brick and mortar restaurant locations in new markets throughout Southern California and Arizona. But by the start of the coronavirus-related lockdowns, his sales had dropped by… read more

Shake Shack, which still has about 40% of its dining rooms shuttered to slow the spread of COVID-19, is rolling out an interactive summer camp box to entertain consumers who are stuck at home. The New York City-based fast-casual burger chain launched Shack Camp this week. The program provides six weeks’ worth of family-friendly activities for… read more