Trending this week: McDonald's introduces J Balvin Meal

Ruby Tuesday files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing ‘unprecedented impact’ of COVID-19

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday will permanently close 185 stores that had shut their doors during the pandemic, leaving 236 operating locations.

Treasury Department: PPP loan forgiveness decisions coming soon

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The Small Business Administration has received 96,000 applications for Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness; banks have complained about the slow approval process.

House passes revised $2.2 trillion HEROES Act that would include $120 billion in relief for independent restaurants

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The trimmed-down bill won bipartisan support but is not expected to be taken up by the Senate.

Former Jamba and Barcelona/Bartaco executives launch new blank-check company

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Tastemaker Acquisition Corp. seeks to raise $200 million, saying the restaurant industry is ripe for investment.

Executives on the move: 16 people who took on new roles at Focus Brands, Panera Bread and more restaurant chains

September saw new C-suite appointments at some of the largest restaurant companies.

Last Cheeseburger in Paradise unit closes permanently in Secaucus, N.J.

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Parent Luby’s Inc., which also owns Fuddruckers, is in the process of liquidating assets.

COVID is forcing restaurants to rethink, modernize drive-thru lanes

Health crisis has accelerated pre-pandemic trends to evolve drive-thru lanes for contactless pickup of mobile orders; CEO of SeeLevel HX, which produced the annual QSR Drive-Thru study, to address evolving car lanes at upcoming Restaurants Rise powered by MUFSO session.

163 closed Pizza Hut locations owned by NPC International are up for sale

A&G Real Estate

Pizza Hut's largest franchisee begins bidding process for shuttered locations as part of bankruptcy restructuring process; A&G Real Estate Partners helping NPC with selling a portion of its portfolio.

Ghost kitchen operator Kitchen United enters new era as Jim Collins steps down as CEO

Kitchen United

Michael Montagano tapped as CEO and Joy Lai named COO; Montagano plans strategic growth with established brands, including entrance into New York City.

This time, McDonald's is ready for expected demand of next celebrity promo: The J Balvin Meal

McDonald's

Travis Scott meal supply shortages do not deter the quick-service chain from launching a new meal named after Colombian reggaeton singer starting today; Are more celebrity meals in the works?