Right now, operators in the restaurant industry are focused on staying afloat and making it through the next few weeks. Jon Taffer, star of Bar Rescue and owner of full-service concept Taffer’s Tavern, understands the pressure. But he’s concerned that not enough restaurateurs are thinking about the post-pandemic future. “What I’m worried about is that not… read more

In her new role, Ms. Doty will be responsible for all U.S. and international Chili’s brand marketing, including menu innovation, using the brand’s insights to better understand Chili’s customers and employees, and harnessing digital marketing, social media, public relations and more to promote the Chili’s brand. Ms. Doty joined Brinker in 2017 as vice-president of… read more

Amid consumers’ heightened focus on immune health during the coronavirus pandemic, Smoothie King is launching a new variety of its Immune Builder Smoothie. Made with organic spinach, kale, carrots, bananas and dates, the Immune Builder Veggie Superfood Smoothie features an electrolyte blend and apple pineapple juice. The new smoothie joins the mixed berry variety in… read more

The National Restaurant Association is offering two programs to help members and their employees stay healthy and safe. Through its new partner, Healthiest You, the Association is making a telemedicine option available to its members. The service is $7/month per employee. There are no co-pays, and all family members can use the service. Those interested… read more

With same-store sales falling 65.2% for the week ended April 12, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews has temporarily shut 35 company-run restaurants, eliminated 35 headquarters jobs and reduced the pay of remaining home-office staff members by 20%. The company said it is currently working with landlords to restructure its leases. Employees of the closed… read more

Up until late March, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar had only dabbled with takeout at its three Southern California fine-dining restaurants. Carryout at the concept was mostly geared towards VIP diners looking to take home jumbo Maine scallops, shrimp risotto and mahi mahi dishes during a busy work week. “As a fine-dining establishment, it’s… read more

As Americans continue to shelter in place, home cooking continues to rise. That trend, coupled with a scarcity of some items on supermarket shelves, is motivating more restaurants to start selling groceries. Both Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Subway started selling deli meats, cheeses, condiments and other sandwich fixings in bulk last week, and prior to that,… read more

The country’s commercial truck drivers are keeping shipments rolling to grocery stores during the coronavirus pandemic to make sure people have food. With restaurants cutting back service, who’s making sure truck drivers have places to eat out on the road? Truck drivers have been called “the thin line,” holding daily life together in terms of… read more

More than 3 million restaurant jobs and $25 billion in industry sales were lost during the first 22 days of March because of the coronavirus, according to research from the National Restaurant Association. Findings shared with the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) show that restaurants nationwide suffered an average year-over-year sales decline of 47%…. read more

The CEO of Yum Brands is not taking a salary this year, according to a federal securities filing Monday, opting instead to use the funds to pay out $1,000 bonuses to general managers at company-operated Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC units. Yum operates about 1,200 of its restaurants, or roughly 2% of the system…. read more