Trending this week: Chick-fil-A adds new menu items and more on digital moves from Chipotle, Popeyes, Taco Bell, White Castle, KFC

CDC report links restaurants and bars to positive coronavirus cases in 10 states

New study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looks at positive and negative cases during peak summer resurgence of the virus; the National Restaurant Association calls report flawed, saying agency shouldn't blame one industry for spreading COVID-19.

Forget menu trimming — Chick-fil-A adds 3 new items, including two coffee drinks

Chocolate Fudge Brownie, a new coffee blend and a Mocha Cream Cold Brew land on nationwide menus Sept. 14; the last-time Chick-fil-A added a permanent menu item was in January.

Menu Tracker: New items from Chick-fil-A, Denny’s and Panda Express

Plus additions at Baskin-Robbins, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cava, Chopt Creative Salad Company, Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse and Saloon, Cotton Patch Cafe, El Pollo Loco, Fresh & Co., The Greene Turtle, Grumpy’s Restaurant, The Habit Burger Grill, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Piada Italian Street Food, Pizza Guys, Quaker Steak & Lube , Shari’s, Smoothie King, Sweetgreen, Tacos 4 Life, Ted’s Montana Grill, Tijuana Flats, Tim Hortons, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Velvet Taco, Wienerschnitzel and Hamburger Stand, Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade and Yogurtland.

Maison Kayser parent declares Chap. 11 bankruptcy

Parent Cosmoledo LLC reportedly taps Aurify Brands as stalking horse bidder.

National Restaurant Association report: Pandemic has forced 100,000 restaurant closures in six months

Chili's

The National Restaurant Association reveals latest survey findings: 40% of operators say they are unlikely to stay in business six months from now if there are no additional relief packages from the federal government; trade group sends letter to Congress and White House.

How Donatos Pizza plans to leverage its Red Robin partnership

CEO Tom Krouse talks about the brand’s expansion out West and how its gained ground on fast-casual players during the pandemic.

Cracker Barrel is getting ready to open a catering-only ghost kitchen, expand Maple Street Biscuit Company in 2021

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. reported a 39.2% decrease in same-store sales as full-service dining begins the slow climb back up from COVID-19-related challenges.

Big digital moves from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Popeyes, Taco Bell, White Castle, KFC

Top chains are stepping up digital strategies tied to menu innovation, free delivery, marketing.

McDonald’s to test zero-waste cup solution by U.S. firm TerraCycle

United Kingdom test begins next year, extending the chain’s investment in finding a reusable or recyclable cup that can be scaled globally.

Papa John’s signs its largest development deal in North America in 20 years

Papa John’s entered an agreement with franchisee HB Restaurant Group to open 49 new stores in the Philadelphia area from 2021 to 2028.