Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe®, a national fast-casual concept known for its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, will donate 100,000 smoothies nationwide to local healthcare workers and first responders to help support those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In cafes across the country, the Tropical Smoothie Cafe family is working tirelessly to support our local communities, which are currently facing unprecedented hardship,” says Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC. “Our safety is dependent upon the selfless, hard work of our local healthcare …
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Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. will extend the temporary closure of its stores and business offices due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The company will continue to follow guidance from local, state and federal officials as it anticipates gradually reopening stores and offices in markets when it is safe to do so. As a result of its store closures, JCPenney plans to temporarily furlough the majority of store hourly associates, beginning April 2. During this time, the company will also require a smaller corporate workforce. Beginning April …
Plano, Texas — At Home Group Inc., the home décor superstore, has expanded its partnership with PICKUP, a last-mile logistics service, to offer contactless next-day local delivery of a full assortment of home décor and furniture. As of March 30, 2020, customers are able to order At Home products for delivery from 106 stores, with the service to be rolled out to 125 stores subject to local and state mandates. Next-day delivery starts at $10 and customers can place an order online or by calling their local At Home store. …
Vancouver, B.C. — Ready, a financial technology company that offers seamless self-pay and food ordering solutions to hospitality venues across North America, launches its “virtual ordering kiosks” to businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, waiving its standard fees until June 1 so the venue will pay no extra than the cost of the transaction to continue to operate. This technology allows restaurants to shift to a contactless on-premise pickup ordering model, supporting the safety of the community and allowing businesses to remain operational. “The safety of the …
San Francisco — As cities around the country shut down amid COVID-19 fears, few industries are feeling the effects quite as harshly as restaurants. The long term impact on restaurants and their staff is predicted to be devastating. In a matter of weeks, restaurants have gone from service as usual to, in many cases, a 100% loss in income. According to a report by the Job Quality Index (JQI), a research project from Cornell Law School and the Coalition for a Prosperous America, in the restaurant industry alone more than …
Orlando, Fla. — Orlando, Fla.-based Williams Company, one of the Southeast’s largest and most respected construction companies, has promoted Bob Lipscomb, a 33-year company veteran, from CEO to chairman. He joined Williams Company as a project manager in 1988 and has been at the core of developing the overall company culture and performance standards. Second, Taylor Huddleston was promoted to chief executive officer, having previously served as president. A 20-year company veteran, Huddleston began his career at Williams Company in 2000 as a preconstruction manager and later served as director …
Dallas — Connex, the multi-site facilities network, formerly known as PRSM, is postponing CONNEX2020 National Conference to 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated effects nationwide and following extensive deliberations and consideration by the Connex board of directors and staff, Connex is unable to move forward with CONNEX2020 National Conference. No suitable resort was available to reschedule CONNEX2020 this year. Therefore, the next Connex National Conference will be CONNEX2021 and is scheduled for April 19-21, 2021 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. …
Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has provided an update on the next phase of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Working together, we can limit the spread of COVID-19 while offering convenient, affordable food in a low contact environment,” says David Gibbs, CEO of Yum! Brands. “But our employees — like millions of others — are worried and our franchisees are under stress. We need to support them so they can be there for our customers. As the situation changes rapidly, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit …
Minneapolis — Target Corporation has made business adjustments to its remodel and new store opening schedule in response to the impact from novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As the COVID-19 crisis has evolved, the company has been experiencing unusually strong traffic and sales, particularly in its stores and same-day services, as guests rely on Target for essential items like food, medicine, cleaning products and pantry stock-up items. As a result, the company has adjusted the expected timing of some of its strategic initiatives, including new store builds and remodels. Updated plans for …
Mt. Prospect, Ill. — Diversified Foodservice Supply, LLC (DFS) is expanding its Do It Yourself (DIY) program by introducing new videos that enable foodservice operators to make DIY fixes for common kitchen repairs and to handle preventive maintenance tasks that keep kitchens up and running. It also committed to ongoing educational alerts that help operators adhere to changing sanitary protocols. In addition, the company is expanding capabilities to provide quick response and nationwide distribution of product rollouts. These new offerings supplement the existing library of DIY products and resources available …