Global Foodservice News

Sonic Drive-In is planning its first international expansion, the chain’s president said during a presentation during the National Retail Federation’s virtual trade show this week. “Sonic is one of the few, large brands that is only domestic,” said Claudia San Pedro, who has been president of the Oklahoma City-based chain since 2018. She said Sonic…

Fueled by a recent growth equity investment from 10 Point Capital, the brand is poised for long-term expansion as it seeks qualified franchise partners to join the Walk-On’s team. Despite the challenges to the industry brought on by the pandemic, Walk-On’s has been able to remain steadfast through its keen focus on growth and is…

With the promotion, every Thursday, customers can purchase one of their favorite menu items like cheeseburgers, shakes, and fries for under $0.35. The items are available at a fraction of their typical cost, with cheeseburgers and shakes typically clocking in between $2-3 per item. The Thursday prices harken back to McDonald’s original prices when it…

Restaurants in 2020 rely on technology as much as a menu to provide guests with a unique experience. We connected with Nicole West, vice president of Digital Strategy and Product Management, and Stephanie Perdue, vice president of Brand Marketing for Chipotle Mexican Grill, to discuss menu and technology innovation during the pandemic. Chipotle operates 2,650…

Tim Ma is busy, but the co-founder of Lucky Danger, executive chef of American Son and Wild Days at the Eaton Hotel DC, culinary director of Laoban Dumplings, and executive chef of Prather’s on the Alley took time out to take us through his journey innovating during COVID-19. The pandemic hit the restaurant industry hard.…

As the foodservice industry was forced to pivot to accommodate coronavirus-related lockdowns and protocols, even large-scale businesses struggled to keep sales up during the pandemic. Many increased takeout and delivery options as well as created meal kits for consumers to enjoy and/or prepare at home. Some restaurants even began selling ingredients to customers looking for…

McAlister’s Deli Finds the COVID Silver Lining McAlister’s Deli president Joe Guith heard the pundits like everyone else. If you were a lunch-based restaurant designed around dine-in, with a catering business, you might as well surrender to COVID-19. “That pretty much describes us to a tee, and yet we’re [not in trouble],” Guith says. While…

Update: Budget Director Robert Mujica gave more details this afternoon about how the proposed aid for restaurants would work. See below. Syracuse, N.Y. — Restaurants that spent months in restrictive orange and red zones would be able to tap into $50 million in state aid, according to a proposal from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The money would…

Restaurant chains say the recent personal stimulus checks have helped them out, a Wall Street Journal report says, though spending patterns from last time around suggest that might not last. According to the report, the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package passed last December, which included $600 payments for adults and children as well as $300 weekly…