President-elect Joe Biden told a virtual panel of restaurateurs this week that he sees federal guarantees rather than loans as the best way to help the restaurant industry survive the pandemic. "You should be in a position where you can have all that ventilation changed, all the dividers put up, all the social distancing that you need, and make sure that your staff is safe as well, both indoors and out," he said.
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Spicy chicken sandwiches soared in popularity this year, with delivery orders surging 318% compared to last year, according to the "Year in Food" report from Grubhub. Chicken burrito bowls saw the second-largest increase, and chicken wings, waffle fries and cold-brew coffee rounded out the top five.
Outback Steakhouse parent Bloomin' Brands has expanded its focus on off-premises dining this year, but casual dining is still part of the company's DNA, CEO Dave Deno said. "America misses dining. There's a culture of food and service -- there's no way we're ever going to lose it," he said.
Chef and vegan restaurateur Matthew Kenney is in growth mode despite the pandemic, as demand for plant-based fare continues to grow. Kenney has opened five new eateries in the past few months, and there are plans to open another eight or more international locations.
Profitability for third-party delivery companies soared this year amid surging demand for off-premises dining. DoorDash is gearing up for an initial public stock offering and Postmates was acquired by the parent of Uber Eats this week, moves that are likely to strengthen the third-party delivery industry, Jonathan Maze writes.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced a new program called Secure Emergency Relief for Vulnerable Employees, or SERVE, to provide one-time stipends of $800 for 4,000 of the city's eligible restaurant employees. People who earned $58,450 or less in 2019 and have seen their incomes cut in half or worse during the pandemic qualify for the funding, which will come from the nonprofit Mayor's Fund.