Pandemic piques 'interest in 'brick-oven-style' pizza vending machines

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Can you really get a pizza that tastes like it was fired in a brick oven from a high-tech vending machine? Basil Street Cafe thinks so, as it prepares to roll…

Pork shortage in offing after major US processor closes due to COVID-19 cases

The closure of one of the nation's largest pork processing plant after approximately 300 positive COVID-19 cases among workers could soon have a powerful…

Something to smile about: Domino's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Rave shares all up

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Pizza brand stock values are up and gas prices keep going down. So, how's that for something to take the gray right out of a locked-down, mid-pandemic day's…

To AI or not to AI: Researcher says proceed with caution

Research just published by a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor indicates that AI may not always serve restaurant brands well, depending on their…

How the CARES Act can help large restaurant brands

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, signed into law at the end of March, provides new loan programs that vary depending on a company’s…

Papa John's only trading winner last week, as gas use dips to lowest in 27 years

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Gas demand hit the lowest level the markets have seen since 1993 last week, while cheese market inventories stack up as dairy farmers throw milk away amidst…

COVID-19 will forever change the foodservice industry

by Bruce Reinstein — President, consolidated concepts

Experts predict how the coronavirus will affect the foodservice industry through three lenses: consumers, operators and manufacturers.

7 ways the CARES Act could hurt restaurants

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The National Restaurant Association this week sent letters to leaders at the U.S. Treasury and Small Business Administration asking for clarification — and in…

Leading your pizza brand through the pandemic: Expert's top tips

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Now is the time for pizza brand leaders to summon all the courage and call on all the brainpower they possess to ensure their businesses make it to the "other…

Domino's CEO warns investors on Q1 sales outlook

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Domino's advanced its own earnings release -- set for April 23 -- with some estimates showing sales growth is still anticipated by the world's largest pizza…

Domino's climbs, Rave crashes in volatile pandemic-era pizza trading

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Scale and an owned delivery system are both paying off for pizza brand, Domino's, as skittish investors show their support for the world's biggest pizza…

Restaurateurs respond to Senate's passage of stimulus package

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Leaders of Firehouse Subs, Boloco and the National Restaurant Association weigh in on if the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act goes far enough…

Papa John's pulls Papadia 'Yoga' ad after US Hindu leader's complaint

Papa John's said it is removing its so-called "Yoga" ad for Papadia sandwiches after complaints from a U.S. Hindu leader that it is offensive to the religion…

COVID-19 blindsided restaurateurs right from start, Ohio poll shows

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

As early as March 8, as COVID-19 restrictions in the U.S. were just beginning, Ohio restaurateurs were hit with a sucker punch that knocked sales down 20…

The Big Shift: Transition to 'delivery only' tough, but potentially lifesaving

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The pandemic that has now got the U.S. restaurant industry in a stranglehold is forcing many brands to delivery-only operations, which not only is requiring…

Papa John's ekes out a win in trading, other public brands drop over tough week

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Papa John's actually managed to climb during trading over the last devastating week for the restaurant industry. Other publicly traded brands did not fare so…

Is your restaurant speaking the COVID-19-era customer's language?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The seismic shift that COVID-19 has put on everything about restaurant "life as usual" demands an equally substantial shift in marketing and communication…

Smashburger, AMC Theatres execs among leaders weighing in on COVID-19, shrinking kitchens

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Leaders from AMC Theaters, Wing Zone, Smashburger, Four Foods Group and Middleby discuss how they are changing their kitchen designs to stay profitable, while…

Adapting to the new normal: Vendors offer free services to restaurant operators

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Restaurant operators are scurrying to completely revamp operations to meet the needs of a more or less "locked-in" customer through delivery, drive-thru and…

Sales falling at 70% of US restaurants

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The restaurant industry is reeling, according to the most recent data collected by Black Box Intelligence, and unfortunately, that's expected to increase.