Learn food cost management strategies to control inventory, reduce waste, improve purchasing, standardize portions, optimize pricing, and protect restaurant profits.
Jul 29, 2026
Grow your restaurant's email marketing list using websites, QR codes, loyalty programs, social media, incentives, events, and customer signups effectively.
Jul 29, 2026
Discover how Chipotle’s Recipe for Growth is driving record sales, operational excellence, and digital innovation - insights for every restaurant leader.
Jul 30, 2026
DoorDash is changing how it calculates delivery and service fees, with longer-distance orders likely to cost more and shorter, larger orders set to stay the same or decrease.
Jul 29, 2026
Whataburger welcomes financial veteran Ryan Moore as its new CFO, signaling a strategic focus on national expansion and sustainable growth for the iconic brand.
Jul 29, 2026
PopUp Bagels welcomes industry veteran Mike Smith as Chief Operating Officer to lead their next phase of growth, putting quality and guest experience at the forefront.
Jul 28, 2026
Improve kitchen ticket times with practical strategies for better preparation, smoother workflows, stronger communication, smarter staffing, and effective restaurant technology.
Jul 27, 2026
TGI Fridays emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy under new ownership, focused on growth and stability. Discover what's next for the iconic chain and its global operations.
Jul 28, 2026
Noodles & Company achieves historic sales growth and operational turnaround in 2026, sharing critical lessons for restaurant owners on boosting traffic, innovation, and team culture.
Jul 27, 2026
Learn how restaurant owners can manage payroll accurately, track labor costs, reduce errors, maintain compliance, and improve workforce profitability efficiently.
Jul 27, 2026
Explore the recent bankruptcies in the restaurant industry and the ongoing challenges faced by establishments in the wake of the pandemic.
Photo by Austin Distel
Photo by Austin Distel
The recent filings for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by World of Beer and Buca di Beppo have sent shockwaves through the restaurant industry, shedding light on the ongoing struggles faced by food and beverage establishments in the wake of the pandemic. World of Beer, a well-known Tampa-based craft-beer franchise, closed 14 locations in the past year, attributing its financial woes to various factors, including disputes with franchisees, the impact of the pandemic on foot traffic, inflation, and the underperformance of certain new locations opened after 2020. On the other hand, the Italian concept Buca di Beppo also faced similar challenges, leading to the closure of over a dozen underperforming locations and the subsequent bankruptcy filing.
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the landscape of the restaurant industry, forcing businesses to adapt rapidly to changing consumer behaviors, government restrictions, and economic uncertainties. Even more than four years after the pandemic began, restaurants are still grappling with the aftermath, trying to navigate a path to recovery amidst ongoing challenges. The industry has witnessed a wave of bankruptcies, closures, and restructurings as establishments struggle to survive in a post-pandemic world.
Photo by Austin Distel
One of the notable shifts in the dining experience brought about by the pandemic is the surge in outdoor dining structures to comply with safety regulations and accommodate increased demand for open-air seating. However, as cities like New York grapple with the post-pandemic reality, they are reevaluating the status of these structures and implementing revised rules to ensure safety and sustainability. The recent announcement by New York City of a new outdoor-dining program with stricter regulations highlights the ongoing evolution of dining spaces in response to changing circumstances.
