A significant majority of restaurant chains face an uncertain future due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the larger ones will likely survive—and get even bigger, according to a study by consulting firm Aaron Allen & Associates. The study found that nearly two-thirds of publicly traded restaurant companies are at risk … More
Coronavirus News
PMQ Live Update: How #StillTipping Raised $20,000-Plus for Service Industry Workers
Once his Venmo account reached over $5,000 in donations in just a couple days, Jason Herron realized his #StillTipping movement had snowballed into something big. He headed to his local bank and opened an account specifically for StillTipping, as well as a Venmo account, to establish absolute transparency for the … More
Coronavirus News
This Pizza Box Doubles as a Board Game
When the boredom of quarantine becomes too much to bear, some Long Islanders turn to a pizzeria that’s anything but dull—Main Street Pizza Company, home of the Boozy Ice Pops, virtual bingo nights and pizza boxes that double as board games. Owner Davide Fabrizi’s creative marketing approach has garnered free … More
Coronavirus News
NPD Group: Customer Transaction Declines Ease a Bit for Major Restaurant Chains
With nearly 320,000 restaurants in the U.S. now allowed to offer on-premise dining in some form, declines in customer transactions at major restaurant chains have eased up a bit as the coronavirus pandemic continues, according to research firm The NPD Group. Total major restaurant chain transactions declined by 18 percent … More
Coronavirus News
Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act Hailed as ‘a Win’ for Restaurant Industry
A new bill headed to President Trump’s desk makes some fixes to the Paycheck Protection Program, including reforms that will potentially benefit restaurant owners who feel the program is currently too inflexible. The House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act (PPFA) bill last week, and the Senate approved … More
Coronavirus News
PMQ Live Update: Adapting on a Weekly Basis with Adam Weisell from l’Aventino Forno Romano
In this installment of PMQ Live Update, Adam Weisell, chef-owner of l’Aventino Forno Romano in Chicago, speaks about monitoring the pandemic situation week by week, shutting down and reopening his Pinsa (Roman-style pizza) restaurant, and staying connected with employees and customers through social media. “As this became a reality… when … More
Coronavirus News
This Ohio Pizzeria Has Given Away Thousands of Free Meals During the Pandemic
Even as the pandemic continues to kill jobs and wreak havoc on the national economy, no one will go hungry in the Athens, Ohio area if John Gutekanst, owner of Avalanche Pizza, can help it. Since March, Avalanche has provided thousands of free meals—including so-called “mega-lunches”—to people in need through … More
Coronavirus News
PMQ Live Update: Running A Proactive Business Model With Nick Karvelas of Karvelas Pizza Co.
In this installment of PMQ Live Update, Nick Karvelas, the co-owner of two Karvelas Pizza Company locations in Hogansville and LaGrange, Georgia, talks about developing discipline with supply-ordering routines, maintaining open lines of communication with sales representatives, and staying proactive to control costs during the coronavirus pandemic. “Adapt, overcome and … More
Coronavirus News
NPD Group: Consumers Likely to Keep Eating More Meals at Home
Restaurant traffic was down 35 percent in April, and that’s not the only worrisome news from a study by research firm NPD Group. Customers are likely to keep eating more meals at home even after restrictions on dine-in services are lifted, NPD predicts. And when they do eat restaurant food, … More
Coronavirus News
Marco’s Pizza Is Testing Pizza-Making Machines for a Post-Pandemic Future
Marco’s Pizza, the No. 6 pizza chain in the U.S., has seen its year-over-year sales climb by 20 percent systemwide, but President/COO Tony Libardi has his gaze fixed firmly on the post-pandemic future—and that likely includes more automation and pizza-making machines in the kitchen, he believes. In a recent podcast … More
Coronavirus News
PMQ Survey: 90 Percent of Pizza Restaurants Still Open Thanks to Delivery and Carryout
PMQ Pizza Magazine would like to thank all 490 pizza operators, suppliers and distributors who participated in our recent PMQ readers survey that measured the pizza industry’s COVID-19 disposition. Of those 490 respondents, 97% were pizzeria operators, 81% were independent operators, 11.4% were franchises and 4.5% work in chain management. … More
Coronavirus News
Insurance Expert: Will Business Interruption Policy Cover a Restaurant’s Pandemic Losses?
As more states allow restaurants to reopen for dine-in services around the country, operators will have to navigate tricky waters. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, health and safety concerns abound for employees and customers alike, and insurance issues are likely to arise. To help answer some common questions … More