Foodservice Equip & Supplies News

During COVID-19 Pandemic Following an announcement that the company would start expanding catastrophy pay for employees affected by coronavirus, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson sent a letter to customers on Thursday detailing the various precautions the company is taking to navigate the spread of COVID-19. Johnson clarified that precautionary policies will be enacted on a “store-by-store and…

The Cheesecake Factory has started accepting reservations on a limited basis at all 206 of its namesake restaurants in the United States, a move intended to ease customers’ frustration with long wait times, executives revealed to investors. In reporting financial results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, the company’s first as the owner of…

Consumers are getting, well, demanding in the on-demand economy. And restaurants are leveraging the latest technology to make ordering a seamless experience—so seamless, it can be done while playing a video game or having a conversation. Dallas-based fast-casual Wingstop announced Wednesday an ordering extension with Twitch, a popular online gaming platform and community. “This new ordering extension…

KFC, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., is launching a second one-day test of plant-based chicken. New meatless popcorn chicken and fried chicken sandwiches will be available at a Mississauga, Ont., location on Nov. 27. KFC tested Beyond Meat nuggets and boneless wings at an Atlanta store in August, becoming the first major U.S. fast-food…

Despite what is often described as a booming economy, the news in the independent restaurant world across the country has been a bit grim in recent weeks. In cities like Seattle, Pasadena, Calif., and even Birmingham, Ala., restaurateurs are raising the alarm, saying rising costs are taking a toll on the restaurant communities, resulting in…

The government reported Friday that payrolls increased by 128,000, easily besting the 75,000 estimate economists polled by Dow Jones had forecast. The leisure and hospitality industry was by far the strongest during the month of October, adding more than 60,000 jobs for the month. Hiring in the manufacturing sector was soft, but economists blamed the…

MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings announced on plans to expand its purpose-led fast casual brand into Canada. The development agreement for Canada was signed with V.I. Pizza Inc., led by Jim Hayden, Jeff Jefford, and Ken Whitaker, who have deep food industry experience and operate several successful brands across Vancouver Island. Their agreement includes development…

Vipul Chawla has been promoted to president of Pizza Hut International, effective Dec. 3. He will succeed Milind Pant, who will step down at the end of November to pursue opportunities outside of the company. Mr. Chawla has been with Pizza Hut for seven years, most recently as managing director of Pizza Hut Asia-Pacific. Earlier,…

Quality Restaurant Group, a quick-service firm formed last year after buying more than 200 Pizza Hut locations, has acquired 27 Arby’s restaurants under newly tapped CEO Matthew Slaine. The Raleigh, N.C.-based operator closed the Arby’s deal with Bentley-Miller Group this week for an undisclosed price. The Arby’s restaurants are in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming and…