McDonald’s has closed restaurants in five Chinese cities and is implementing new health protocols in the region as the deadly coronavirus continues to spread. On Friday, the company shuttered locations in Wuhan, Ezhou, Huanggang, Qianjiang and Xiantao — all cities that have been impacted by the Chinese government’s travel restrictions, company spokesperson Barry Sum told CNN Business in an email. At least 10 cities in central Hubei… read more

FoodFirst Global Restaurants, the parent company of Brio Tuscan Grille and Bravo Cucina Italiana, has named Steve Layt as the company’s new chief executive officer. The change is effective immediately, as former CEO and FoodFirst founder Brad Blum has stepped down from his role as chairman and chief executive, the Columbus, Ohio-based company said in a statement released Tuesday morning. The company said Blum will remain an owner-partner as the company… read more

New York-based ghost kitchen operator Zuul Kitchens on Monday said it has acquired the online restaurant ordering system Ontray. Terms were not disclosed for the deal, but Zuul CEO Corey Manicone said acquisition of the Philadelphia-based startup and its strategic assets will allow the growing ghost kitchen concept to expand its services to restaurant partners to help them drive revenue.  “We have acquired key technical assets and… read more

American Blue Ribbon Holdings shuttered 33 locations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, the company announced. The filing does not involve or affect the operations of O’Charley’s or 99 Restaurants, which are not part of ABRH (a company separate from American Blue Ribbon). Fidelity Newport Holdings owns ABRH, which owns American Blue Ribbon Holdings. American Blue Ribbon… read more

Over the past few years, Bar Louie primarily drove sales and profit through new-unit expansion. But a problem emerged along the way. It funded growth partially through new debt, yet also with cash flow from operations. And, eventually,  didn’t have enough cash on hand to fix underperforming units when they started to drag the system. The result, it said Monday,… read more

The Food and Drug Administration continues to assert that soy leghemoglobin remains safe for use as a color additive in ground beef analogue products, which includes plant-based Impossible Burgers. The F.D.A. on Dec. 17 said it concluded objections raised by the Center for Food Safety did not justify a hearing or provide a basis for revoking the… read more

Food distribution company Sysco Corp. announced that CEO Tom Bené will be stepping down after two years years as president and CEO. Bené will be replaced by former executive vice president of CVS Health/president of CVS Pharmacy Kevin Hourican starting February 1. The board has also elected independent director Ed Shirley as executive chair to… read more

McDonald’s is creating a team focused on digital customer engagement as the restaurant industry continues to look to technology as a key way to boost sales. The new team is part of the fast-food giant’s strategy to use technology to reach customers and drive sales growth. McDonald’s has been installing digital self-order kiosks in its… read more

Paris Baguette USA Inc. has promoted Darren Tipton to CEO of American operations, replacing former CEO Jack Moran, who has been promoted to global CEO, effective Jan. 1, the bakery-café concept said. In his new position, Tipton, below, who was previously chief operating officer, is responsible for operations as well as overseeing franchise sales and… read more

Columbus, Ohio-based Donatos Pizza signed a franchise agreement with Jacksonville-based Quick Family & Associates Holding Co. Inc. to develop five restaurants in metro Orlando, bringing roughly 150 jobs to the market. No leases have been signed, but the group has identified possible markets as Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Oviedo and Winter Park, said a news release…. read more