Chicago — On April 6, 2020, Potbelly Sandwich Shop launched Potbelly Pantry, which allows fans to stock up on their favorite Potbelly staples, like its famous hot peppers, fresh hand-sliced meats, cheeses, breads and even pre-portioned A Wreck® and Italian sandwich ingredients. Orders can be made at Potbelly.com or through the Potbelly app for curbside pickup or delivery. “Potbelly fans can make our famous Wreck or Italian sandwiches at home anytime they want — they just need our amazing, authentic ingredients,” says Ryan LaRoche, executive chef at Potbelly. “Because life’s …
restaurants
Los Angeles — On April 1, sweetgreen, the seasonal restaurant with the mission of connecting people to real food, launched the Sweetgreen Impact Outpost Fund. The fund was created in partnership with World Central Kitchen (WCK), the international not-for-profit organization founded by chef José Andrés that uses the power of food to heal and strengthen communities in times of crisis. Through the fund, corporations, sponsors and customers are able to join sweetgreen and WCK’s efforts to feed more front line medical personnel working in hospitals, while also helping fund new …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. — As of March 19, 2020, Taubman Centers, Inc. temporarily closed all but two of the company’s U.S. shopping centers in response to COVID-19. The closures will continue through March 29, or later if required by state or local government. “After numerous discussions with state and local officials, we will temporarily cease operations in all but two centers this evening,” says the company’s chairman, president and CEO, Robert S. Taubman. “We are clearly in unprecedented times and this is right decision for our shoppers, retailers, employees and …
Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has acquired The Habit Restaurants, Inc., following the approval by The Habit Burger Grill stockholders. The transaction marks the addition of the first fast-casual concept to Yum! Brands’ portfolio of iconic global restaurant brands. The acquisition of The Habit Burger Grill adds an award-winning fast-casual concept with a loyal fan-base to Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of units and parent of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Founded in California in 1969, The Habit Burger Grill offers a flavor-forward variety …
Austin, Texas — The first Twin Peaks restaurant in the Austin area, which originally opened in 2007, got a lift and reopened its doors with a fresh new look on March 7, 2020. Since that time, due to COVID-19 concerns, in-house diners will have to wait a little longer to enjoy the interior renovations. The restaurant remains open for to-go orders only. Twin Peaks’ restaurant renovations include an updated interior with enhanced dining areas, a modernized furniture and décor package to include all-new contemporary finishes and completely remodeled restrooms. Out …