In many ways, the pandemic was a great equalizer for full-service restaurants. It didn’t matter whether a restaurant specialized in Mexican cuisine or sushi, barbecue or vegetarian fare. And just the same, longevity and size had a marginal bearing on how well a brand navigated the crisis. A new, relatively small upstart could fare just… read more

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is investing in “being brilliant at the basics” after the fast-casual chain experienced a slowdown in sales during the latter half of the recent quarter, said Brian R. Niccol, chairman, and chief executive officer. A newly launched operations initiative focuses on retraining employees on the fundamentals of the business. “These fundamentals… read more

But for The Cheesecake Factory, the virus is as real as ever. It’s COVID, and not the country’s economic turmoil, that has been causing the 308-unit casual-dining operator’s business to fluctuate from month to month and market to market, said CFO Matthew Clark on Wednesday. “When you see the cases move up, you see sales… read more

Something unusual happened at Wingstop in the second quarter: Its same-store sales, which have been positive on an annual basis for 18 consecutive years, declined. Domestic comps at the 1,858-unit chicken wing chain fell 3.3% in the period ended June 25, which executives attributed to a “perfect storm” of factors, including tough comparisons to a… read more

If the chain’s executives are right, the 0.8% year-over-year decline simply means customers are getting back to their normal routines, governed by work schedules and summer vacations that have traditionally made the 680-unit steakhouse chain a bit less busy in the warmer months. “It really has felt like we’ve got back to a more seasonal… read more

More than a year after the U.S. Small Business Administration revealed its Restaurant Revitalization Fund had run out of money, federal watchdogs say they’ve found $180 million still in the kitty, prompting industry advocates to demand the aid be distributed immediately. “Now more than ever, every dollar appropriated by Congress for restaurant relief needs to… read more

Snooze an A.M. Eatery first opened in 2006. What began in Denver, Colorado, has grown to 52 locations across nine states, and there are plans for an additional eight locations in less than a year. A key pillar to expansion over the years has been a focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. Chief… read more

Game & Go is operated by Zippin and lets guests grab food and beverages within the Dave & Buster’s full-service restaurant without needing to check out . . . . Dave & Buster’s Opens Coca-Cola Market with Automated Checkout Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc. announced that the company is testing checkout-free convenience store technology at… read more

Sandwiched between early restaurant gigs in her native Colorado—waiting and bussing tables, washing dishes, and bartending at different mom-and-pop eateries—and the 2003 launch of her Denver-based culinary syndicate alongside chef and business partner Jennifer Jasinski, Beth Gruitch gained an unofficial degree in restaurant operations from Chicago-based Levy Restaurants and the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants enterprise…. read more

Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned restaurant from Brazil that allows guests to make discoveries at every turn, today announced its plans to enter Asia for the first time with the signing of a franchise development agreement that will bring Fogo’s award-winning dining experience to the Philippines. In partnership with Bistro Americano Corp., a division of… read more