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See what chains across the country added to their menus this week with #NRNMenuTracker. http://ow.ly/fpdm50yJpmS
Plus additions from BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Dat Dog, Fogo de Chão, Habit Burger Grill, Hard Rock Cafe, Muscle Maker Grill, Peet’s Coffee, PJ’s Coffee, Pollo Tropical, Slaters 50/50 and TGI Friday’s
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread globally and more employers are urging their workers to stay home, the restaurant industry is in a bind because foodservice employees don’t have the luxury of working from home. On the heels of announcing paid sick leave to quarantined employees at the Seattle Starbucks that was temporarily closed after an employee was diagnosed with COVID-19, Starbucks is temporarily expanding its catastrophe pay to cover COVID-19-affected employees, as announced in a letter to employees on Wednesday. http://ow.ly/izbu50yJkTB
Temporarily expanded catastrophe pay covers employees that have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have been in contact with someone who has, and employees that have symptoms
Registration closes soon for our cocktail reception celebrating the 2020 Power List leaders. The reception will be co-located at the Women’s Foodservice Forum in Dallas on March 30. RSVP Today: http://ow.ly/5c7950yJ0SA
7-Eleven Inc. continues to push into the restaurant space with this month’s opening of Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits, a Southern-inspired quick-service concept, at a test-format store in lower Manhattan. http://ow.ly/uYgQ50yJfLN
Convenience-store brand last year expanded the quick-service Laredo Taco Company
McDonald’s USA said it will pay quarantined workers at corporate-owned restaurants, a move made as a precautionary measure as the coronavirus situation evolves in the U.S. http://ow.ly/CjvB50yIZgR
Policy applies to company store employees quarantined for 14 days in the U.S.; other chains report coronavirus cases including Waffle House, Starbucks
DoorDash Kitchens, the third-party delivery operator’s ghost kitchen experiment, has added two more independent restaurants to the shared Bay Area facility. http://ow.ly/b8Km50yIbFN
Delivery only operations join shared Bay Area kitchen facility as original tenant, Nation’s Giant Hamburgers, exits
Captain D's has appointed a chief supply chain officer, the company said Monday. http://ow.ly/nbhX50yI2Lc
Former P.F. Chang’s executive succeeds Janet Duckman in role
McDonald’s and Taco Bell are beefing up their menus by introducing big versions of two menu classics: The Big Mac and the Chalupa. http://ow.ly/OGpO50yI0bO
McDonald’s also beefing up a menu classic with Double Big Mac
Subway has filled the new role of chief operating and insights officer, who will lead the brand’s efforts in digital channels, including third-party delivery and catering http://ow.ly/j2ms50yHRK4
Former Carrabba’s president to oversee brand’s digital channels
Darden Restaurants, casual dining parent of Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, is now providing sick leave for hourly workers previously not covered by the company. http://ow.ly/ZoyX50yHDN3
The casual dining giant accelerates roll out of benefit given 'current environment' surrounding coronavirus; 25% of service workers don’t get sick pay
Fast-casual chicken chain Wingstop is inviting fans to become walking billboards, offering to pay them to show off a free branded sweatshirt on Instagram as part of its “Wearable Billboard” campaign. http://ow.ly/Ph5c50yHaK1
It’s the fast-casual chicken chain’s first foray into paying customers for social media posts and using #ad on the platform
For a vegan chain to grow on a continent where only around 5% of the population never eats meat, it needs to have a broader appeal than the particular dietary interests of any one group. Copper Branch, a fast-casual chain of around 65 restaurants based in the Canadian city of Montréal, is doing that by focusing on whole, tasty food that appeals to active, relatively affluent consumers. http://ow.ly/z0mK50yH8R8
Creative menu items, health-focused marketing and athlete tie-ins help raise profile of Canadian concept as it looks to growth in the U.S.
Amid widespread fears over COVID-19, delivery operators such as DoorDash and Postmates are taking extra measures to protect the health and safety of the delivery ecosystem, which involves food and package handling stretching from restaurants to gig drivers to consumers. http://ow.ly/arCa50yH6Yl
Postmates launches contactless delivery option; DoorDash testing similar feature, and preparing to distribute much-needed supplies such as hand sanitizer to drivers.
Starbucks temporarily closed a Reserve store location in downtown Seattle after an employee was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was quarantined last Friday. This is the first case of coronavirus contracted by a Starbucks in-store employee. In order to further prevent the spread of coronavirus, the company immediately closed the affected store, initiated a deep-clean procedure and sent home employees that had direct contact with the infected partner. http://ow.ly/eC1A50yH5IE
Starbucks closed a roastery store in Seattle over the weekend and quarantined staff after one employee was diagnosed with COVID-19
Flavor of the Week: Ancho peppers are being used to add mild heat and smokiness to condiments, sauces, marinades and rubs. http://ow.ly/Mjnf50yGZRC
Ancho is the term for ripe, dried poblano peppers.
Holiday promotions, chicken tamales and adding more delivery options drove traffic and sales at El Pollo Loco, which is preparing to roll out a new prototype store at more than 300 restaurants. http://ow.ly/mMRo50yFfNU
Brand plans to remodel 300 restaurants over the next several years; health-focused and plant-based foods will grow at rapid clip, CEO says.
The culinary world mourned a titan on Friday as the news spread of the death of Gray Kunz, a pioneer who helped introduce European-Asian fusion cuisine to the United States. He was 65. http://ow.ly/xqZO50yFfF6
Restaurant world mourns the chef and mentor
The team from Align Public Strategies talks about the challenges to operators as they try to navigate increasingly dangerous coronavirus waters. http://ow.ly/Y8Af50yFezQ
New research shows most young people mistrust the economic system; analyzing the impact of Super Tuesday
Chuy’s Holdings Inc. is watching guest counts to see if they increase before accelerating restaurant development, company CEO Steve Hislop said Thursday. http://ow.ly/YHFo50yF4qe
Q4 closures part of brand’s ongoing looking at ‘bottom 10%’ says CEO Steve Hislop
Get the answers you need at Digital Signage Expo 2020! Gain access to industry experts who’ll show you how to successfully plan, install & manage your #digitalsignage deployment. Learn more & register - http://ow.ly/SO7z50ycjqx #DSE2020 #ExperienceTechnology
Daniel Boulud hasn’t just had an illustrious career of his own. The chef and restaurateur has launched many others in the restaurant industry into stardom as well. In fact, if you want to be named James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef of the Year, just become chef of one of Boulud’s restaurants. Listen to the restauranteur speak about mentorship in part-two of our newest podcast, In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. http://ow.ly/QSIs50yF4Im
In part II of his interview with the illustrious restaurateur, Bret Thorn asks about mentorship
The founder of the fast-casual chain and the current CEO both made moves today. See what they were. http://ow.ly/yVRq50yF4eA
Brian Niccol, CEO of brand, will step into the additional role of chairman
During January’s Q1 earnings call, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said that the company did not yet know the long-term business impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the company, but now we have a clearer idea of the short-term effects in China. In a report addressed to shareholders Thursday, Starbucks said that same-store sales dropped 78% in China this February, as 10% of stores in China still remain closed. http://ow.ly/gIEX50yEIv0
In a letter to investors, Starbucks got specific about the short-term impacts of COVID-19 on international business
In this inaugural podcast of In The Kitchen, Bret Thorn mostly just sat and let the master talk for the better part of an hour, sharing his stories of the early years of modern fine dining in Washington and New York, and his current mentorship of up-and-coming chefs, as well as discussing his latest project, slated to open later this year, or possibly early next year.
Nation’s Restaurant News’ and Restaurant Hospitality’s Bret Thorn kicks off his In the Kitchen podcast with an in-depth interview of this godfather of fine dining
Taco Bell’s menu has always come with a Mexican food-inspired twist. Fans flock to restaurants for Chalupas and Doritos Locos Tacos – items that can’t be found at any other quick-service brand. Yet, up until a few years ago, the brand’s restaurants have remained relatively cookie cutter, adopting standardized decor common among fast food chains. http://ow.ly/aVuv50yE8Wg
The quick-service chain is betting big on Cantina style stores to drive dine-in traffic; CEO Mark King sets new $20 billion in sales goal
Trending this week: McDonald’s free Egg McMuffins and more on the impact of coronavirus on the restaurant industry. To check out what else happened this past week, click through the gallery to see what was trending on Nation's Restaurant News. http://ow.ly/Orxd50yE8ur
See what's popular on NRN.com
Setting up a virtual restaurant just got a bit easier. Virtual Restaurant Consulting, a Los Angeles-based consultancy in the cloud restaurant space, announced it would be offering a license for Two Hens, a delivery-only, all-day breakfast brand.
Virtual Restaurant Consulting said it would offer a license for the brand, a delivery-only, all-day breakfast concept
Chipotle Mexican Grill is expanding employee benefits again, including testing a new program that offers unlimited paid time off for senior level employees. http://ow.ly/QGA250yE1Ii
The fast-casual chain is also expanding paid parental leave benefits
Inspire Brands announced the promotion of Darin Dugan from Sonic Drive-In vice president to chief marketing officer of Jimmy John’s. http://ow.ly/vgaA50yDYzu @JoannaFantozzi
Darin Dugan will be replacing John Shea as chief marketing officer of the Jimmy John’s sandwich chain
Tune in at 1:30pm EST on Facebook live with Senior Editor Bret Thorn announcing our brand new In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn podcast
Restaurants were able to post their second consecutive month of positive same-store sales growth during February, though growth may not be described as anything more than modest.
The data will likely not reflect coronavirus impact until spring and summer, according to Black Box Intelligence economist
While restaurants in the countries with the most cases of Coronavirus, like China and Italy, have taken extreme measures like closing restaurants completely, in the U.S., the restaurant response has been more nuanced and preventative.
Starbucks, Denny’s respond to COVID-19 outbreak
Drink It In: 10 Beverage industry trends that can grow your business in 2020 http://ow.ly/co8v50y5LUG
Menu Tracker: New items from Pizza Hut, Red Lobster and Starbucks. Plus additions from Baskin-Robbins, Black Seed Bagels, Buffalo Wild Wings, California Tortilla, Cinnabon, IHOP, Hard Rock Café, Johnny Rockets, Newk’s Eatery, Taco Cabana, TooJay’s Deli, Velvet Taco and Zaxby’s. http://ow.ly/fJD450yD2d5
Plus additions from Baskin-Robbins, Black Seed Bagels, Buffalo Wild Wings, California Tortilla, Cinnabon, IHOP, Hard Rock Café, Johnny Rockets, Newk’s Eatery, Taco Cabana, TooJay’s Deli, Velvet Taco and Zaxby’s
CraftWorks Holdings, the parent company of Logan's Roadhouse, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery and Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed 37 underperforming restaurants. http://ow.ly/Sj1H50yCOxV
Asset sale includes 261 restaurants; 77 franchise locations not part of Chapter 11 filing
Restaurants throughout the Nashville area were closed due to damage or power outages, or the inability to get staff in to assess buildings because of the debris. First responders on Tuesday morning were working through buildings to find anyone potentially trapped, and the death toll was expected to rise.
At least 22 people dead and more than 40 buildings destroyed as officials assess damage
Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC, is making a big investment in the lifeblood of its restaurants: franchisees and general managers. The Louisville, Ky. based company has acquired leadership development company, Heartstyles. http://ow.ly/YxFh50yBUMg
CEO David Gibbs says strengthening the company's people-first culture will drive unit economics
Greg Flynn is a restaurant operator’s advocate. Like all franchisees, he fiercely guards the operational integrity and profitability of his company’s restaurants. But when you lead the nation’s largest restaurant franchise business — Flynn Restaurant Group, with sales in excess of $2 billion and more than 1,200 restaurants under some of the country’s most well-known brands — you have the muscle to help make big changes happen. http://ow.ly/IyOK50yBL0E
Greg Flynn is a restaurant operator’s advocate. Like all franchisees, he fiercely guards the operational integrity and profitability of his company’s restaur...
The restaurant industry continued this week to prepare for dealing with a growing number of coronavirus cases, with at least one executive forecasting a resulting shift toward delivery. http://ow.ly/et7v50yBFwa
Possible outbreak could fuel ‘massive’ shift in attitudes toward delivery, says Zume CEO Alex Garden
Though Taco Bell has yet to jump on the plant-based meat bandwagon, the Yum Brands division is taking another step to support the popularity of highlighting vegetarian foods on restaurant menus. http://ow.ly/I3wQ50yBwGR
CEO Mark King says the quick-service chain plans to experiment with plant-based proteins
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Tune in at 1:30pm EST on Facebook live with Senior Editor Bret Thorn announcing our brand new In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn podcast
Join NRN publisher Sarah Lockyer and senior food editor Bret Thorn @FoodWriterDiary this Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern time for a Facebook Live presentation about our 2020 #MenuMasters winners. http://ow.ly/2DCn50ywzcz
Join NRN publisher Sarah Lockyer and senior food editor Bret Thorn @FoodWriterDiary this Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern time for a Facebook Live presentation about our 2020 #MenuMasters winners. http://ow.ly/E5Tp50ywza1
In case you missed it: We released our Power List of the 50 most influential people in foodservice #NRNPowerList
Introducing the 2020 #NRNPowerList, featuring 50 men and women bringing game-changing solutions and unrivaled creativity to the biggest issues facing restaurants today.
Tune in today on our Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Eastern for the reveal of our 2020 Power List #NRNPowerList
Tune in tomorrow, Jan. 23 on our Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Eastern for the reveal of our 2020 Power List #NRNPowerList
NRN editor-in-chief Jenna Telesca and senior editor Gloria Dawson are introducing this year's Hot Concept Award winners live.
The premier top-to-top restaurant industry conference, MUFSO, will present Gary Vaynerchuk — bestselling author, venture capitalist and digital media vanguard — as a keynote speaker who will recalibrate how executives approach today’s customers and the business environment he has dubbed “The Thank You Economy.” MUFSO Conference #MUFSO Gary Vaynerchuk http://ow.ly/B1QW50uCHyz
The live announcement of this year's Norman Award winner from Nation's Restaurant News
Our live announcement of this year's MenuMasters Awards winners
Want to end child hunger in America? Join Dine Out for No Kid Hungry to help put a stop to child hunger. dineout.nokidhungry.org
Join Dine Out for No Kid Hungry and all the restaurants nationwide that have partnered together to stop child hunger in America. dineout.nokidhungry.org
Dine Out for No Kid Hungry is the no. 1 national restaurant campaign that raises critical funds and awareness to end childhood hunger in America. More than 15,000 restaurants nationwide have united with Dine Out for No Kid Hungry to help make a difference.
Bar Louie remains a restaurant brand that has grown nationally by tailoring its local image. During an interview at Bar Louie’s headquarters in Addison, Texas, Neitzel talked with Nation’s Restaurant News about Bar Louie’s development and local positioning. Read more: http://nrn.com/chef-insights/bar-louie-cultivates-local-roots
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is expanding the reach of its inaugural July concert series through audio-live streams to its domestic system and Facebook Live broadcasts to others who might not be in a restaurant. Read more: http://bit.ly/29xOx8X
Chuck E. Cheese’s continues to expand its menu items geared toward adults and increase value offerings to build frequency among customers. http://ow.ly/7SSt301uWiY
Laura Abshire, director of sustainability policy and government affairs of National Restaurant Association, said the 2016 NRA Show saw a number of innovations aimed at making restaurants, especially in kitchen equipment, greener. Sustainability initiatives can not only help restaurants save natural resources, but they can also help operators save money.
Pei Wei is honing its restaurant design, broadening its menu and planning a July debut of a new smartphone app with built-in ordering, payment and rewards. Read more: http://bit.ly/1RkwJXC
Cicis took the wraps off a new brand image that culminates the past year of reassessing where the buffet brand should be headed. http://bit.ly/1Panp7K
The NRN Power List, now in its third year, is the most definitive list of industry leaders who are not only setting trends today, but also shaping them for tomorrow. Read more: http://nrn.com/power-list-2016
New menu items introduced by restaurants this month. Pizza Hut, Church's Chicken, Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop, Newk's Eatery, Domino's Pizza, Panera Bread, Arby's, Wingstop, Mazzio's, Smashburger, Auntie Anne's, TOGO'S Sandwiches, Bruster's Real Ice Cream, Taco Bell,
NRN editor-in-chief Sarah E. Lockyer sat with Hattie Hill, president and CEO of the Women's Foodservice Forum, to discuss the importance of the WFF and what role the group can play for tomorrow’s leaders. http://bit.ly/1HcqPbn
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