Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• Food Lion LLC has added its To-Go pickup service to an additional 38 new stores, bringing the total to 249 locations.
• Hy-Vee Inc. will provide flu vaccines at the more than 270 pharmacy locations, including a drive-up option at many Hy-Vee pharmacy locations between Aug. 17 and Oct. 31.
• The Kroger Co. is building a distribution center it in Frederick, MD, for its grocery delivery expansion.
Retail
• CVS Health is now providing video visits to consumers in Georgia and Massachusetts thru its MinuteClinic retail medical clinics.
• L Brands, Inc. said it plans to lay off about 850 corporate employees, or about 15% of the jobs at its home office.
• The Neiman Marcus Group announced plans to close its store at The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards in Manhattan, NY.
• Rite Aid Corporation has opened six new COVID-19 testing site locations in Michigan and Ohio.
• Tractor Supply Co. expects to open 75 to 80 new Tractor Supply stores and 10 Petsense stores in fiscal 2020, compared to its previous outlook of 10 to 15 new locations.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. has expanded its contactless same-day curbside pickup to more than 8,600 stores nationwide.
Restaurant
• BJ’s Restaurants Inc. has temporarily reclosed many of their dine-in locations as COVID-19 numbers have increased across various states. The company stated that 95% of their dining rooms were open in June and only 70% are open at the end of July.
• California Pizza Kitchen Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy due to complications from COVID-19. The company will be looking to close underperforming locations.
• Del Taco is introducing two new fried chicken items to its menu. The new items are part of the company’s COVID-19 recovery plan that will see the classic menu trimmed in some areas with new offerings added. The company also hopes to improve its drive-thru experience and add more ghost kitchens.
• Denny’s will be offering rewards members free delivery once a week for the remainder of the year as long as they meet participating conditions. The service is being offered as Denny’s has seen a spike in delivery orders due to COVID-19.
• Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. announced that 800 locations will likely close in 2020 due to COVID-19. The 800 closures also include the 450 locations located inside Speedway stores that are not due to COVID-19.
• Earl Enterprises and Robert Earl have announced a new virtual restaurant concept. Tyga Bites will be the first in a line of celebrity based delivery only restaurants that will be utilizing empty kitchen spaces that were closed by COVID-19.
• East Coast Wings & Grill is looking to expand through North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. The company has been able to maintain expansion plans as dine-in sales have remained relatively the same and delivery sales have increased since the outbreak of COVID-19.
• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar has introduced their version of classic TV Dinners available for take-home by guests. The prepared meals can be placed in the freezer and heated in the oven and are being offered in five options.
• McDonald’s Corporation will be closing 200 stores by the end of 2020. Over 100 of these locations will be restaurants located inside Walmart Stores Inc.
• Pizza Hut has permanently closed 13 franchised locations in New York. The locations were full service dine-in locations that were temporarily closed in March, but now the unnamed franchisee has decided to close the doors for good.
• Pret A Manger (USA) Ltd has closed 17 locations in Boston and Chicago due to COVID-19.
• Ruby Tuesday is utilizing kitchens in its permanently closed locations by allowing other restaurants to operate delivery only ghost kitchens in the spaces. These newly named “host kitchens” are currently being used by Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs.
• Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q has named Kennon Adkinson as the company’s first Chief Kindness Officer. Adkinson was nominated for the role by his peers and his goal will be to create initiatives that engage with local communities and inspire kindness. The role was largely created as a response due to the difficulties faced this year from COVID-19.
• Starbucks is launching a new drive-thru plan as they try to recover from COVID-19. The new drive-thru system will have employees with handheld tablets in the drive-thru lanes in order to expedite orders and greet guests.
