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Nation's Restaurant News
The 25 most-read Nation’s Restaurant News stories in 2020
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister 1 Dec 17, 2020

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25. Restaurant reopenings: What American operators can learn from China as we enter the COVID-19 recovery stage
Billy H.C. Kwok / Stringer / Getty Images News

In most restaurants across China, face masks were mandatory and customers got their temperature checked upon entering. 

24. Chick-fil-A on reopening dining rooms: We’ll do it on our terms
Chick-fil-A

Georgia said restaurants could resume dine-in service in late April, but the Atlanta-based chain said, “We are going to take additional time.”

23. In-N-Out closes dining rooms but unlike its rivals, the chain doesn’t offer delivery for social-distancing burger fans
Nancy Luna

The chain said “take-out and drive-thru orders” were the only options for consumers, but the lack of delivery could have been a problem as California’s governor ordered residents to stay at home in March.

22. Chipotle Mexican Grill joins fray of chains closing dine-in operations to limit spread of coronavirus
Nancy Luna

Delivery and carryout remained open to customers of its 2,600 stores.

21. CDC updates guidelines for reopening restaurant dining rooms and bars
Cindy Ord / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment

A COVID-19 contact person should be appointed for each shift.

20. Where restaurant workers can get financial help during the coronavirus crisis
Gwengoat / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Relief funds for industry employees that were laid off, furloughed or had hours reduced, organized by city and state.

19. The National Restaurant Association Education Fund launches an employee fundraising campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic in partnership with Guy Fieri
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

“Restaurant Relief America” launched with Guy Fieri and the NRAEF as an employee relief fund to help restaurant workers in need.

18. Bar Louie puts itself up for sale after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Bar Louie

The Addison, Texas-based gastropub chain’s lenders were to act as the stalking-horse purchaser during the transaction.

17. Sonic Drive-In unveils new logo and campaign that focuses on freedom

The Inspire Brands, Inc. quick-service burger brand has evolved.

16. How should restaurants clean in coronavirus cases?
Ron Ruggless

Suspected COVID-19 cases among workers lead to closures and scrubbing efforts in early March; Ecolab offered expert advice.

15. Chicago, New Mexico, Oregon enter lockdowns; NYC, Maine, San Francisco and Minnesota tighten restrictions

See which states tightened and loosened restrictions in November.

14. White House coronavirus task force outlines phases for reopening restaurants, bars
MANDEL NGAN / Contributor / AFP / Getty Images

No timeline was given in April for “Opening Up America,” but sit-down dining was to reopen first, followed by bars; President Donald Trump said about 29 states were close to meeting reopening criteria.

13. Best strategies for reopening restaurants in the coronavirus era
Kanawa_Studio/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Expert Mandy Sedlak, food safety and public health manager for Ecolab’s Ecosure division, offered health and sanitation steps to consider as restrictions lift.

12. COVID-19 outbreak forces Yum brands to close 7,000 global restaurants

The troubled Pizza Hut division closed 1,000 express units in March but was still looking to hire 30,000 workers.

11. States roll out reopening plans for restaurants, despite concerns
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images News

Here’s where restaurants were able to begin dine-in service in early May.

10. Chili’s parent Brinker expands virtual It’s Just Wings brand
Brinker International Inc.

The delivery-only chicken-focused menu was created with DoorDash and produced in 1,000 of Brinker’s brick-and-mortar locations.

9. Red Robin temporarily closes 35 restaurants, cuts 50 corporate jobs due to coronavirus
Nancy Luna

The casual-dining chain furloughed restaurant workers and cut pay for the remaining corporate staff to sustain business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

8. Coronavirus pandemic prompts McDonald’s to temporarily close 50 restaurants
Nancy Luna

“We’re truly in extraordinary times right now,” CEO Chris Kempczinski told CNBC in March.

7. Restaurants ask consumers to join #TheGreatAmericanTakeout amid coronavirus fallout

The coalition encouraged consumers to order delivery or pickup on March 24 to help the industry.

6. CEO of Brio and Bravo casual-dining brands says 71 closed restaurants might not reopen if COVID-19 crisis lasts much longer
FoodFirst Global

FoodFirst Global CEO Steve Layt was about to launch a bullish turnaround for each brand then the “rug got pulled” with the coronavirus outbreak, he told NRN.

5. Starbucks is giving every U.S. employee a raise of at least 10%
Starbucks

The coffee chain confirmed the news from an internal memo as President-elect Joe Biden vowed to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

4. Domino’s launches custom contactless delivery during coronavirus crisis
Domino’s

Domino’s offered contactless delivery where orders could be placed anywhere a customer watned for safe and healthy pickup.

3. McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, other restaurant chains inform customers on coronavirus pandemic safety efforts

Shake Shack, Starbucks and Chuck E. Cheese also sent letters about how the companies were planning to respond to COVID-19.

2. National Restaurant Association releases coronavirus reopening guide for industry
Nancy Luna

Recommendations included sanitizing tabletops between seatings, discarding single-use items like paper menus and installing sneeze guards along buffet bars.

1. Taco Bell is eliminating 12 items from its menu
Taco Bell

Four items, including Beefy Fritos Burrito, came from the value menu; the July trimming came less than a year after the chain removed nine items in a decluttering effort; the company said it was making room for plant-based items.

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Trending this week: About 17% of U.S. restaurants have closed due to COVID
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