Yum China Holdings will serve as a sponsor for the Chinese Olympic Committee through 2024 and will be an official retail food services sponsor for the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.
Fitness studios in San Diego, Calif., are partnering with hotels to secure outdoor space and help both enterprises through the pandemic. "I think it's a great collaboration of businesses that have just gotten kicked in the face to find a unique way to weather the storm and potentially grow through this," F45 Training studio owner George Chmiel says.
Franchise brands such as bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mr. Rooter have been working to navigate the pandemic, prepare for the unexpected and keep everyone safe. "COVID-19 made it clear that things can change in an instant, and as an essential business, it's our job to be able to pivot our business to meet the needs of our customers," says Robin Wilcox of bluefrog.
The vast majority of restaurant operators have implemented face mask requirements for their unit-level teams, according to a Black Box Intelligence survey. In addition, 71% mandate gloves, 57% have installed plexiglass barriers and 77% are using temperature checks, according to the survey of 300 operators.
Taco Bell will cut a dozen items from its menu to simplify operations and make room for new dishes, including plant-based options, the company said. The brand, which eliminated nine other items less than a year ago, is focusing on speed of service as most of the business has shifted to the drive-thru during the pandemic.
Robots are moving into the quickservice industry, with one example being Miso Robotics' fry-cooking Flippy machine. Automation in the industry also includes the salad-making robot Sally and DrinkBot, which makes preset beverages.
Nominations are now being accepted for individuals interested in serving on the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives Board of Governors! Nominees must be CFEs in good standing. Nominations are due Aug. 1, 2020. The nomination form is available online.
US corporations had hopes earlier this year for a quick recovery from the coronavirus pandemic but are increasingly deeming it unlikely. Firms are scaling back production, shifting attention from core businesses and turning furloughs into layoffs.
The coronavirus shutdown has taken a severe toll on small businesses, and lawmakers can respond by focusing on two things: liability and liquidity, writes IFA President and CEO Robert Cresanti. He wants Congress to approve liability protections to limit legal issues for businesses that follow safety guidelines, and he notes that there are bipartisan steps lawmakers can take to improve liquidity.
