Private equity firm Hargett Hunter Capital Management has agreed to purchase Texas-based chain Trudy’s Texas Star out of bankruptcy for $6.5 million. The firm prevailed at an auction on July 23. A hearing to approve the transaction will be held on August 17. The North Carolina-based firm outbid Austin restaurant Steiner Steakhouse, which bid $6.45 million. The… read more
In mid-March when the novel coronavirus was declared a pandemic, there was uncertainty about what the future would look like. Shoppers wondered what else would run out if they couldn’t even get toilet paper. So, many decided to stock up. Shoppers realized they’d risk exposure if they visited a grocery store. Suddenly they were looking… read more
Angry Crab Shack didn’t waste its quarantine. The 12-unit seafood chain instead used that time to upgrade its menu, packaging, training program and more. Sloane Emden was employed as the general manager of an Angry Crab Shack in Phoenix when the coronavirus shut down his restaurant. Emden spent years working in restaurant kitchens, advancing from… read more
Denny’s Corp. is giving its loyalty-program members a chance to get free delivery for the rest of the year through the Denny’s on Demand platform, the company said. The Spartanburg, S.C.-based family-dining chain said Denny’s Rewards members can place an order via Denny’s on Demand between July 27 and Aug. 9, and then they will… read more
Hoping to avert further shutdowns, the National Restaurant Association on Monday urged the nation’s governors and mayors not to reclose restaurant dining rooms that are operating within current guidelines. In a letter to the National Governors Association and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Lawrence Lynch, the NRA’s senior vice president, science and industry, wrote that… read more
Papa John’s announced it would hire 10,000 more workers as it tries to meet surging demand for its pizzas. Consumers who are sheltering in place are ordering more Papa John’s food during the coronavirus pandemic. During the three months ended June 28, the pizza chain’s North American same-store sales soared 28%, according to its preliminary estimates. … read more
McDonald’s will require customers at its 14,000 U.S. restaurants to wear face masks starting Aug. 1—while Chipotle’s policy went into effect today—making the fast food chains the latest corporations to implement mandatory mask policies. Chipotle said that all patrons and employees are now required to wear a mask at the chain’s 2,630 restaurants. McDonald’s said in… read more
Brinker International now has three restaurants in its portfolio, and it didn’t take any additional real estate to get there. The company Friday unveiled “It’s Just Wings,” a virtual, delivery-only brand Brinker said will be separate and distinct from Chili’s and Maggiano’s. But the concept can only be ordered through DoorDash’s app or website. Brinker… read more
Fast-growing food delivery company Chowbus raised $33 million in a Series A funding round, the company announced. The funding was led by venture capital firms Altos Ventures, based in Silicon Valley, and Left Lane Capital, based in New York City. Other contributors were Hyde Park Angels, Fika Ventures, FJ Labs and Silicon Valley Bank. Founded… read more
The quirky, oft maligned “quick response” barcodes have found a niche in restaurants amid the coronavirus, when social distance is the name of the game and human contact is best kept to a minimum. Operators are placing the codes at the hostess stand, on table tents or outside the door, allowing guests to scan them with… read more