Coronavirus

Industries all across the country are experiencing the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Discover how it could affect the U.S. foodservice, grocery and convenience industries.

Coronavirus Sales Boom Could Be Short-Lived and Costly, Analyst Warns

By Jon Springer on Mar. 16, 2020

Food retailers are seeing explosive sales gains as sales shift from the restaurant channel, but they could soon dissipate and leave a mark on profits, a Barclays report said.

No Spring Price, No Spring Demand

By Trilby Lundberg on Mar. 16, 2020

Gasoline market under arrest

Financing

Restaurant stocks crash again as fears over dine-in closures mount

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 16, 2020

Denny’s was the first U.S. chain to acknowledge that the coronavirus would impact its quarterly results.

Operations

White House eyes nationwide curfew: Report

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 16, 2020

A requirement that citizens be home by a certain hour could be an alternative to forcing restaurants to close or discontinue dine-in service.

Operations

Trump asks all Americans to forgo restaurant dining

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 16, 2020

The president and health officials also called on citizens to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, at home as well as outside.

House passes bill to expand food programs for families impacted by COVID-19

By Benita Gingerella on Mar. 16, 2020

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act will provide $1 billion in funding to food programs such as SNAP.

Food Supply Chain Is Secure: UNFI

By Kat Martin on Mar. 16, 2020

Industry leaders say cargo policy and manufacturing support can assure a secure food chain amid coronavirus crisis.

Operations

Ohio and Ill. order restaurant closures to stem the spread of coronavirus

By Peter Romeo and Heather Lalley on Mar. 15, 2020

Ohio’s indefinite ban starts at 9 p.m. tonight. Illinois will permit takeout service.

Financing

More states and cities tell restaurants to end dine-in service

By Jonathan Maze, Heather Lalley and Peter Romeo on Mar. 15, 2020

Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Kentucky have all restricted establishments to takeout and delivery as coronavirus disruptions spread.

Operations

Federal disease chief urges a shutdown of restaurants

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 15, 2020

The government's leading expert on COVID-19 recommended a two-week lockdown as states and cities followed suit.

Financing

Starbucks to eliminate seating and close some stores

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 15, 2020

The chain is going to a takeout-only model to reduce the spread of the coronavirus as chains focus increasingly on drive-thru and delivery.

Operations

Puerto Rico limits the hours of places that sell alcohol

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 15, 2020

Restaurants that sell only food and nonalcoholic beverages appear to be exempted, along with supermarkets and sources of health supplies.

Financing

Calif. governor calls for the closure of bars and wineries

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 15, 2020

He also said restaurants should cut their occupancies in half, but stopped short of ordering outright closure.

Financing

OpenTable data shows just how bad traffic is falling

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 14, 2020

Reservations plunged and sales fell as fear of the coronavirus kept people home and away from restaurants.

Financing

Alinea mulls temporary closure amid mounting cancellations

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 14, 2020

The coronavirus has hit independent restaurants hard, as Alinea's data shows. Momofuku announced Saturday night it would close all units until further notice.