2021. It was a year that should have brought pandemic recovery to the restaurant industry. Instead, it brought still more challenges and tough questions for operators already struggling to recover from the brutal year before. Labor shortages. Supply chain headaches. Inflationary pressures. Those were just some of the big industry issues covered by Restaurant Business in 2021
COVID booster mandates are gaining some traction (and controversy) in the restaurant industry. And the number of McDonald’s franchisees is shrinking.
Independents across the country are closing temporarily as the omicron variant surges. At the same time, more cities are imposing vaccine mandates for diners.
The federal vaccine mandate is getting pushed back. One social media platform is launching a virtual restaurant brand. And investors aren’t so sweet on Krispy Kreme.
Darden CEO Gene Lee is retiring. Olive Garden hints at an end to its Never-Ending Pasta Bowl. And another food-and-golf concept is teeing off.
McDonald’s is settling lawsuits with a former leader and a franchisee. Chipotle is rolling out a new prototype without a dining room. And Subway’s remodeling plans keep getting way-layed.
The most popular Grubhub order of 2021 is almost impossible to believe. Restaurant sales continued to rise in November. And ezCater is eyeing an IPO.
The push by Starbucks workers to unionize is spreading to a new city. There’s a new (and very big) player in restaurant delivery. And is the McPlant ready for prime time?
Impossible Foods is starting a restaurant. The former owner of Old Country Buffet is in trouble with creditors. And McDonald’s settles a discrimination lawsuit.
Tilman Fertitta is backing out of his go-public deal. Menu prices haven’t been this high since Reagan was president. And one casual dining chain is selling franchises for the first time in its history.
McDonalds is investing millions to make it's franchises more diverse, restaurants recovery from COVID will be uneven, and Freddy's Frozen Custard is recognized for its fast growth.
Jack in the Box is buying up a taco chain. New York City is expanding its vaccine mandate. And Technomic is out with its 2022 food trends.
Raising Cane’s says it will never go public. Restaurant hiring slowed in November. And the parent of Applebee’s doesn’t seem too concerned about the latest COVID variant.
A big restaurateur is trying to back out of a merger. The president wants you to get your employees vaccinated. And diners just might be becoming better tippers.
Burger King wants its drive-thrus to be faster. The NLRB takes a rare step to help unionized restaurant workers. And KFC is poised for growth behind its chicken sandwich.
A quirky taco chain has a new owner. Publicly traded restaurant chains are bouncing back from their 2020 lows. And so is the popularity of restaurant gift cards.
Yet another chain is plotting unionization. Is the new COVID variant scaring off casual dining investors? And, no, Subway isn’t getting sold.
Add yet one more restaurant chain to the long list of IPOs this year. Operators are finding a local answer to meat supply challenges. And which burger chain is eyeing aggressive price hikes?
Customers can order coffee without even taking out their wallet at the latest Starbucks location. But what does that say about the future of the cashier position?
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business.
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business.
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business.
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business.
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business.
A Starbucks unionization vote in Buffalo could have wide-reaching implications for restaurant chains. A lot more restaurant workers quit their jobs in September. And Kura Sushi’s sales are taking off.
In-N-Out is not moving to Florida. A big Taco Bell franchisee is sold. And Carrols Restaurant Group battles skyrocketing costs
Restaurant menu prices are higher than ever because of higher food and labor costs, which have not surprisingly become restaurants’ No. 1 concern
Yet another group of fast casuals is going public. Sweetgreen has set the terms for its IPO. And Sysco is seeing major cost inflation.
Food inflation continues. McDonald’s CEO is apologizing. And growth brand Starbird Chicken just nabbed a big investment.
The CEO of Torchy's is retiring, restaurant hiring improved in October, and more people are eating Papa John's but not necessarily more often.
