The Northern District of Illinois U.S. Bankruptcy Court has ruled to excuse Giglio’s Street Tavern in Chicago from paying 75% of its rent during the coronavirus crisis, citing the Force Majeure or “Act of God” clause in the restaurant’s contract with its landlord. The restaurant — under the restaurant group Hitz Restaurant Group — previously… read more

Restaurants in Chicago are preparing for limited indoor dining starting Friday as concern about a second shutdown in other states is growing, along with a reported spike in coronavirus cases. Several states are reportedly showing signs of becoming hot stops for the virus. The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut jointly announced a travel… read more

Chuck E. Cheese parent CEC Entertainment Inc. on Thursday filed plans to abandon the leases of 45 restaurants in plans for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy reorganization, according to court documents. The Irving, Texas-based company said it plans to reopen some restaurants that were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continue operations at 266 Chuck E. Cheese… read more

Smith & Wollensky parent Danu Partners is on the hunt for potential acquisitions as the steakhouse brand gradually rebuilds its business after the coronavirus shutdown, said recently appointed president Oliver Munday. Munday was named president of the eight-unit Smith & Wollensky chain in March, replacing Michael Feighery, who had been with the company for 35… read more

As retail and restaurant chains develop their reopening strategies, executives may use this opportunity to cull unprofitable locations. Almost two-thirds (65%) of retailer and restaurant chains plan to reopen all their locations, 25% plan to open a portion of their locations and 10% don’t plan to return to the brick and mortar channel at all, per… read more

With dining rooms back in operation at 873 of Chili’s Grill & Bar’s 1,622 restaurants, the casual chain is generating enough cash to meet all of its rent obligations and pay down debt, parent company Brinker International said. Sales for Chili’s units that have resumed dine-in service climbed on average to within 10.8% of their… read more

COVID-19 has triggered a role reversal for two chains under the Yum Brands portfolio: Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut’s U.S segment, which has struggled to find its footing the last few years, recorded in early May its highest delivery and carry-out average sales week in the past eight years, Yum Brands reported in… read more

Comprehensive Food Safety’s audits and inspections include one-on-one training of its clients’ foodservice handlers, department heads and staff, Cherkasky said. Changing a company’s food safety culture from top to bottom is one of Comprehensive Food Safety’s specialties, he said. The company offers its clients full-time consultant-auditors, industry leadership in both food safety and IPM, affordable… read more

St. Louis-based ASI LLC saw big changes in 2019 and the first part of 2020, enabling the company to provide its commissary, supplier and retail clients with even better food safety audit and other services, said Tyler Williams, vice president of operations. “The two main areas that we’ve had our largest strides in are our… read more

In light of all that has happened in our industry, in our communities, and in our businesses during this unprecedented time, I know it is sometimes hard to know what tomorrow brings. Having said that, I am confident that the passion, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that has made this industry great for so many years… read more