Restaurant Daily

McDonald’s has a new celebrity meal combo, and restaurants are getting closer to applying for federal aid—and to settling up with their landlords. This is RB Daily, a daily look at the industry’s top news from the editors of Restaurant Business.

A single sandwich shop is valued at $100 million, delivery drivers face an increased risk of car jackings, and automats are making a comeback.

Restaurant sales are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. Casual dining took a massive hit in 2020. And Golden Corral still has some tricks up its sleeve.

McDonald’s updates its workplace safety standards, more restaurant bankruptcies could be on the horizon, and Fazoli’s serves wings now.

Stimulus checks are sparking a restaurant sales surge. Duck Donuts has been sold. And Chick-fil-A is experimenting with delivery robots.

Domino’s launches pizza delivery by robot, another Golden Corral franchisee files for bankruptcy and a U.S. senator calls for tighter franchise rules.

What does an Amazon unionization vote mean for restaurants? Details emerge on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. And chains are abandoning their retail strategies.

McDonald’s CEO took a pay cut in 2020, Wingstop was the nation’s fastest-growing chain and Oregon reinstates some dining restrictions.

Major supply chain problems are afoot. McDonald’s is considering action against inflated chicken prices. And fast-casual chain Roti is closing a third of its restaurants.

California is planning to lift pandemic restrictions in June, Starbucks is testing reusable cups and three more chains jump on the chicken sandwich train.

Chipotle’s CEO earned $38 million last year, Marriot is testing a buffet replacement. And being a restaurant franchisee is risky business.

Consumer advocates are pushing for a new type of menu labeling, restaurants are struggling to find enough staff as sales rebound, and Burger King has lost its marketing maven.

Dave & Buster’s tries gambling, Wingstop soars, and vaccine passports are coming. 

Restaurant sales are surging, ghost kitchens are coming to apartment buildings and Whataburger is rewarding it employees after a difficult year.

The CDC warns of another COVID surge, Pizza Hut is adding drive-thrus and Shake Shack’s CFO has left the company.

Golden Corral jumps into the future, Famous Dave’s recovers and Saladworks is going big into ghost kitchens.

Grubhub is facing a lawsuit, the Senate has extended the PPP deadline and Cicis Pizza is re-imagining its business model.

Chipotle makes a rare deal, restaurants will have to wait for some help, and Olive Garden gives out some raises.

Flynn Restaurant Group adds more than 1,000 locations, Yum Brands buys another tech company and the Labor Department moves forward with plans to ease tip pooling rules.

Jimmy John and Jamie Coulter partner on a coffee chain, McDonald’s has no beef with raising prices, and 7-Eleven is giving a drive-thru a try.

Texas Roadhouse has named a successor to its CEO post, following the death of Kent Taylor. Restaurants should expect third-party delivery business to slow. And Chicago is hoping to encourage outdoor dining.

Congress is about to extend the PPP, Olo goes IPO and Naf Naf splits.

Olo soars on its first day as a public company, Shake Shack launches in-app delivery and why chicken thighs might make sense on a sandwich.

Cicis Pizzas is no longer bankrupt, White Castle celebrates a big birthday, and restaurants plan to keep up their COVID-safety protocols.

Raising Cane’s says simple is not so simple, Subway is moving and indies are still closing.