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50 Great Ideas 2020

50 Great Ideas 2020

Meals with a soundtrack

 Aug. 11, 2020

A number of restaurant operators, looking to bring the dine-in experience to people’s homes, created on-brand playlists. Red Lobster’s featured romantic tunes for date night, while Zaxby’s created a set of ambient restaurant sounds with titles such as “Friday 9:45 PM.”

50 Great Ideas 2020

Donations from the heart

 Aug. 11, 2020

For a $25 donation to help keep the restaurant afloat, Romano’s Macaroni Grill locations etched fans’ names on a heart stone placed at the hostess stand. A special ceremony will be held for all contributors later in the year.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Organic play dough

Aug. 11, 2020

Along with breads and other baked goods, Chicago bakery Baker Miller created colored organic play doughs to sell as a kids activity for families sheltering at home; they’re scented with herbs and spices.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Brands in the background

Aug. 11, 2020

Chains such as Dunkin’ and Taco Bell created Zoom-friendly backgrounds to remind consumers of their brands, even when dining rooms are closed.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Belated Mother’s Day deal

Aug. 11, 2020

Chicago fine-dining sister concepts Sepia and Proxi “rescheduled” their Mother’s Day promotions for August, when they will be giving complimentary glasses of rose to moms celebrating the holiday with their families after social-distancing restrictions have eased.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Chains swap meals

Aug. 11, 2020

A number of restaurant chains have tried to help their employees through a bleak time by providing free meals as a perk.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Singing food deliveries

Aug. 11, 2020

Before the pandemic closed its dining room, RTE 47 in Yorkville, Ill., often hired musicians to perform there.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Cooking for supermarkets

Aug. 11, 2020

Brennan’s in Houston employed its chefs to prepare its signature dishes for H-E-B markets, giving the restaurant a new revenue stream and keeping staff working.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Chicken for cheap

Aug. 11, 2020

Wichita, Kan., chain Chick N Max was selling boxed meals at a deep discount to help people impacted by the pandemic.

50 Great Ideas 2020

Barbecue vending machine

Aug. 11, 2020

Jones Bar-B-Q in Kansas City, Kan., installed a refrigerated vending machine for contactless purchases of burnt ends, chicken wings, rib tips and more.

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