Launches of LTOs and New Menu Items Accelerate

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As restaurants reopen across the country, operators are tempting consumers with new menu items and limited time offers. Some chains did release LTOs during the quarantine, but most of those products were in the pipeline before the spread of COVID-19. Now that chefs and menu developers are back in the kitchen, the pace of launches… read more

McDonald’s to Reopen 975 more UK Branches for Drive-Through or Delivery

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The news means every drive-through restaurant in the UK and Ireland will reopen between Tuesday and Thursday next week. Customers face a £25 cap on their orders, while each franchise has been asked to make sure its staff are fit and able to work. A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “We can today announce that by 4th June,… read more

U.S. Arm of Le Pain Quotidien Files Bankruptcy, Agrees to Sell Units to Aurify Brands LLC

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The parent of Le Pain Quotidien agreed to sell its U.S. locations of the bakery-cafe chain to New York-based multiconcept operator Aurify Brands LLC for about $3 million. The agreement came as PQ New York Inc., operator of 98 Le Pain Quotidien restaurants across the U.S. before the pandemic, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization. As part… read more

John Fuller, a former Johnny Rockets CEO, Joins the Company Owned by the Wahlberg Brothers

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The new CEO of the Wahlburgers restaurant chain isn’t letting the pandemic get in the way of ambitious expansion plans. As John Fuller researched the company before interviewing for the CEO job at the Hingham-based group, he was surprised to learn it only had 37 locations, given its widespread name recognition. There’s a good reason… read more

Hubworks Offering HACCP Compliance Software Free to Restaurants

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As a response to the current hardship faced by the restaurant industry Hubworks, powered by Altametrics, is now offering their HACCP compliance software, Zip HACCP, free to all restaurants for life. This decision came as a result of Altametrics seeking a way to give back to the community that supports the company. As restaurants continue… read more

5 Factors That Can Affect Your Restaurant’s Reopening

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An inability to reopen at 100 percent capacity may not even be worth it for some dining establishments. Some states across the country have reopened their dining rooms and bars to various degrees while others are still waiting for relaxed guidelines from their state. But while restaurant operators and staff members might be looking forward… read more

Bankrupt FoodFirst Global Agrees to $30 Million Deal with GP Investments, Owner of Planet Hollywood

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Bankrupt FoodFirst Global Restaurants is seeking approval to sell at least 45 of its stores to GPEE Lender in the form of a $25 million credit bid, $50,000 in cash, and $4.5 million in assumed liabilities. GPEE is an entity formed by GP Investments, the ultimate owner of FoodFirst, and Earl Enterprises, which owns and… read more

Denny’s Franchisee Feast American Diners Closes 15 Restaurants in New York

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The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has led a Denny’s franchisee in New York to close 15 restaurants in the central and Finger Lakes areas of the state. The franchisee, Feast American Diners LLC, filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications, or WARN notices, for 15 restaurant closures, citing “unforeseeable business circumstances prompted by COVID-19. “Due… read more

Strong Takeout Sales Push Chili’s into Delivery

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Concerns over profitability and food quality for years kept the restaurant from expanding into delivery. This summer, however, Brinker announced it will offer the service nationwide through an exclusive deal with third-party platform DoorDash. Sales in the fourth quarter ended June 26 increased 2% to $701.9 million from $688.2 million in the same period last… read more

‘In Sprinkles We Trust,’ one Slogan Suggests with Levity, Months before the Presidential Election

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Dunkin’ is getting into the electoral spirit more than five months ahead of the U.S. presidential election with a campaign that turns selecting a favorite donut into a bit of a patriotic play. Dunkin’ is celebrating National Donut Day by introducing the six candidates in the Donut Party. “This year, for obvious reasons, we thought… read more