Lots of jobs data to dissect. Restaurant spending continues to grow as customer traffic improves, but not all segments are proceeding at the same pace. A casual-dining chain begins to roll out a new prototype designed to support on-premises dining and two virtual brands. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Restaurant industry posts solid June numbers. McDonald’s and a few other chains post solid second-quarter results. Airline food may be making a comeback. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

The use of electric stoves sparks a debate among chefs and cities. One chain launches a hybrid work model for its restaurant support center staff. Will the Entrée Act satisfy the industry’s appetite for funding? Restaurants and other businesses step up to promote COVID-19 vaccinations. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Global consumer confidence continues to climb. A hot dog chain prepares to go public while a barbecue company gets ready to take the wraps off a virtual restaurant concept. One high-end c-store concept plans to grow, and grow quickly. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Restaurant costs keep rising as one group urges operators to keep pressing Congress for more money. Will Subway’s sweeping changes put it on a fast track for growth? The National Restaurant Association updates its COVID-19 operating guidelines. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Casual dining chains to turn to automation to offset labor woes. Robotics pioneer targets beverages next. Operators remain solidly optimistic about the future. Two more restaurant chains get new owners.

Many restaurants have yet to receive their government grant money. Is the “Great Resignation” next on the labor horizon? McDonald’s will launch its loyalty program next week. Historic heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest impact restaurant operations, too. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Total U.S. retail sales retreated in May but foodservice and drinking place sales edged up. Many restaurants are not paying their rent. O’Charley’s launches two virtual brands. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Congress wants to give restaurants $60 billion more in aid. Operators deal with shortages of many food items. Quantifying the restaurant industry’s labor woes. A restaurant lifts a local man when he needs it most.

The job shortage is not going to get better any time soon.Krispy Kreme is going public again. Virtual brands remain in full bloom. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Restaurant traffic picked up significantly since the first of this year. Many food truck operators turned a disastrous 2020 into success stories. Suppliers struggle to meet demand as customers return to restaurants. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

The Restaurant Revitalization Plan is moving toward a conclusion. Sonic Drive-In stores had some unique abilities to deal with the pandemic. McDonald’s and its franchisees might meet in a courtroom over technology charges. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Advance U.S. retail sales show consumers continue to spend. Sales at food services and drinking places increased significantly in April. The consumer price index showed inflation is on the rise which affects consumer confidence. A survey of foodservice employees indicated many held negative feelings toward their employers. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

The Restaurant Revitalization program is off and running. Restaurants are reopening and labor remains scarce. Instead of following other operators who furloughed staff, Bloomin’ Brands chose to keep its staff and that approach is starting to pay dividends. Despite their labor challenges, restaurants accounted for 70% of all the new hires in April.  These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

The National Restaurant Association’s performance index showed a sharp increase in March but the organization urged caution in evaluating the results. Double-digit growth in personal income may have set an all-time record. Fast feeders now dominate the restaurant market. NAFEM members discuss supply chain issues. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Operators prepare to apply for grants under the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Jobless claims fall yet restaurants struggle to find employees. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Retail sales, including restaurants and bars, had marked improvement in March. Food prices increased, raising concerns regarding inflation, as restaurants reopen grocery store sales fall. Questions arise about Subway’s future. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Some operators find more questions than answers regarding the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The National Restaurant Association reports more operators plan to invest in their businesses. Pizza Chain Lou Malnati’s is reportedly up for sale. Costco brings back its food courts while McDonald’s and Subway bail out Walmart. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

The National Restaurant Association’s February Restaurant Performance Index contrasts the past with the future. Several chains report increased sales. Many reports on the economy this week, both government and private, were very positive. Foodservice operators hired heavily in March. Saladworks plans to open 90 non-traditional locations. Technomic Inc. reported that the top 500 chains had total sales decline by 8.0% last year. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Off-premises dining seems to be well established with a lot of consumers. Chipotle is introducing a new store design that features drive up service. Two major restaurant acquisitions were announced. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Here's what you need to know.

This story and more This Week in Foodservice.

Restaurant relief inches forward. Famous Dave’s will test a fast-casual prototype. Consumers flock to McDonald’s for its new chicken sandwich.

The Restaurant Performance Index edged up a bit in January. Household income rose at a near record pace in January. One financial analyst thinks McDonald’s crispy chicken will be a major success. Texas Roadhouse is working on a fast-casual restaurant as well developing a burger chain. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Some foodservice industry heavyweights back Foxtrot’s expansion. Bloomin’ Brands virtual chicken concept flies the coop en route to national expansion. A major Jack in the Box franchisee has declared bankruptcy. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Off-premises dining became a staple for most consumers during the pandemic and it may remain that way long-term. Thanks to an executive order FEMA now pays 100% of costs for restaurants providing food to soup kitchens and food pantries. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

DoorDash acquires Chowbotics, maker of the salad-making robot. Virtual restaurants continue to add units at a fast pace. A bill before Congress promises to provide financial aid to restaurants. Restaurant employment declined by 19,400 in January. Restaurant chain Golden Chick chain introduced a new modular design. New York City’s restaurant week was so successful it will now go on for an entire month. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Restaurant operators see some hope on the horizon. Taco Bell claims the top spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list. A legal case has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court that may decide if business interruption insurance covers losses due to the pandemic. These stories and more This Week in Foodservice.

Support for ghost kitchens grows. McDonald’s and other chains say stimulus money is driving sales but will it last? Starbucks will help Washington state distribute vaccine. Friendly’s is sold out of bankruptcy to Amici Partners. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Total U.S. retail sales fell in December, including, unfortunately, foodservice and drinking places. Darden’s pandemic era plan relies on curbside service. More than half of Chipotle’s sales come from digital means and the chain is making major changes to its business. Almost 60% of C-stores saw in store sales increase last year but the number of C-stores declined for the third consecutive year. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.