Pittsburgh — Moe’s Southweast Grill has opened its first ever kiosk-only restaurant. Located in Pittsburgh, the kiosk-only restaurant is owned and operated by Moe’s multi-unit franchisee Mike Geiger, seats 16 and features Moe’s new brand design. The build took approximately 10 months to complete, with the final inspection scheduled for one day after the city shut down due to COVID-19 (March 13). This timely launch provides a more contactless ordering option in the time of COVID-19, as well as additional sanitation efforts have been put in place in accordance with …
COVID-19
Dallas — The Communication Workers of America (CWA) has announced that Dallas-based AT&T has informed the telecommunications and IT union its plans to permanently shutter 250 AT&T Mobility and Cricket Wireless stores. The move would impact 1,300 retail jobs. There are currently more than 16,000 AT&T retail locations in the United States, including authorized retailers and company-owned stores and kiosks. CWA also reports that A&T plans to cut 3,400 technician and clerical jobs across the country over the next few weeks. The Dallas Morning News reports that AT&T had to …
Evansville, Ind. — Shoe Carnival, Inc., a leading retailer of moderately priced footwear and accessories, has reopened all but one of its 390 stores across the U.S and Puerto Rico amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. For the fiscal second quarter-to-date, Shoe Carnival has experienced stronger than expected sales with comparable store sales up 28.1% compared to the prior year, with brick-and-mortar comparable sales up 4.0% and e-commerce comparable sales increasing nearly 470%. “The first half of fiscal 2020 ushered in an unprecedented operating landscape for our business. We pivoted quickly …
San Ramon, Calif. — Fitness center retail chain 24 Hour Fitness has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection stemming from revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Ramon, Calif.-based company expects to secure $250 million in debtor-in-possession financing, which is subject to court approval. The fitness chain also intends to permanently close 132 of its 300-plus gyms. In California alone, 24 Hour Fitness will shutter 41 locations, and in Texas another 26 will permanently close as the company will focus on reopening its other gyms across the country. “If …
— By Theresa Phelps — Dark store management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. During this uncertain time, we know it’s causing stress on multi-site companies including retailers and restaurants. As we like to say, “We’re in this together, and this too shall pass.” Whether your locations have closed temporarily or permanently, it’s important to continue to maintain the exteriors of those properties. Idle commercial real estate properties, or dark stores, are valuable investments that must be kept up to ensure further capital expenditures don’t occur and the …
Tampa, Fla. — As of June 7, 2020, more than 760 company-operated U.S. restaurants (approximately 74% of U.S. restaurants) have reopened with limited in-restaurant dining capacity in accordance with local mandates, according to a business update from Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. “Since the onset of the pandemic, we have been nimble in adapting our business,” says David Deno, chief executive officer. “This included a pivot to an off-premises model as dining rooms were forced to close. We were able to triple our off-premises sales per restaurant while our dining rooms were …
Leawood, Kan. — AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. plans to reopen almost all of its U.S. and U.K. theaters in July. The Leawood, Kan.-based movie theater chain has already reopened 10 theaters in Norway, Germany, Spain and Portugal, and expects to be fully open globally in July ahead of the release of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” on July 17 and Disney’s “Mulan” on July 24. AMC is working closely with local, national and international officials to coordinate timing and requirements of reopening. It is consulting with the Harvard University School of Public …
— By Christine Cunning, CIC — Considerations for restaurants converting to delivery during coronavirus. These are incredibly challenging times for individuals and small businesses across the country. Few industries have been hit as hard as the restaurant industry. Often working on short margins in the best of times, the industry encounters numerous roadblocks ranging from weather, a sometimes fickle and impatient clientele and stiff competition. These challenges can all also be viewed as opportunities to outperform and shine. The developments caused by this recent state of pandemic has …
Dover, Del. — Lululemon, a provider of athletic apparel that is based in Canada but incorporated in Delaware, has now reopened 295 of its 489 stores, or roughly 60% of its worldwide locations. The company released the results of its fiscal first quarter, which ended on May 3, and posted a decline of 17% in net revenue from approximately $785 million to $652 million relative to the first quarter of 2019. In February, at the beginning of the company’s fiscal year, Lululemon closed all of its stores in mainland China …
San Diego — Garden Fresh Restaurants, LLC, operating as Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes, is liquidating all assets under their Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing. The chain, which employed thousands, was a popular place to dine with self-service food bars but was not able to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and permanently closed all 97 restaurants and three distribution centers nationwide in early May. It is to-date the largest restaurant bankruptcy and liquidation as a result of the pandemic. The restaurants’ equipment and other contents are being auctioned online from …