Good (and Other) News! – March 2021

Welcome back to our monthly news roundup. We’ve added a note of realism, calling it “Good (and Other) News!,” to reflect the ongoing effects of the pandemic on franchising – and now, with vaccines becoming more widespread, a glimmer of optimism. So in addition to our regular grab bag of good news about business growth and change, we’re continuing with our new section on how businesses are beginning to get comfortable with the idea of a post-Covid recovery.

Here’s your chance to follow the leaders, every third Tuesday of the month! And if you’re not doing it already, send us your good (and other) news here!

COPING WITH COVID – REOPENING & RECOVERY

Covid-19 Stimulus Package Is a Boon for Business

President Biden Opens PPP Loan Period for Businesses with Fewer than 20 Employees

Addressing Employee Burnout Will Be Key in the Post-Pandemic Workplace

4 Steps Companies Can Take To Prepare for a Return to the Office

Restaurants Closed or Limited by Covid Are Reopening, But Running Them Is Still a Battle

Retail Picture Brightens as U.S. Warms To Covid Vaccinations

Drive-Through Lanes Have Become Hotter Commodities Since the Pandemic 

Ghost Franchises Arise During Covid

Texas Drops Virus Restrictions as Wave of Reopenings Takes Hold

Starbucks & Target Are Among the Companies Still Mandating Masks Despite Lift on Covid Restrictions in Texas

NRA Show 2021 Canceled Because of Covid

Trade Shows Are Making a (Slow and Cautious) Comeback

A Year of Covid Accelerates Change, Transforming Hospitality

Breakfast Delivery’s Pandemic Surge Could Vanish with Recovery

DoorDash Warns the Covid Vaccine Will Likely Slow Its Business

Target Boosts Growth During Covid Pandemic at Rivals’ Expense

Costco Raises Minimum Hourly Wage to $16

Many Businesses Support a Minimum-Wage Increase

Antioch Pizza Shop Unveils Strategic Franchise Expansion Plan

Webinar, March 17: FranConnect’s Q2 Franchise Sales Index Report

FINANCE/M&A

Freddy’s Frozen Custard Sold to Thompson Street Capital Partners

Quaker Steak & Lube Sold for $5 Million

Saladworks Parent WoWorks Acquires The Simple Greek 

Cicis Pizza Emerges from Chapter 11 After Restructuring

Ruby Tuesday Emerges from Chapter 11

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Declares Bankruptcy

Investors Agree To Acquire By Chloe Vegan Restaurant Chain from Bankruptcy

Torchy’s Tacos Reportedly Exploring an IPO

LEADERSHIP

McDonald’s Commits to Leadership Diversity

Book: The Art of Caring Leadership – How Leading With Heart Uplifts Teams and Organizations

Book: The CEO Test – Master the Challenges that Make or Break All Leaders

LEGAL

Insurance Coverage for Pandemic Losses Hard to Come By

MARKETING

What the Marketing Industry Lost and Gained After 1 Year in the Pandemic

Pizza Hut Will Let Customers Play Pac Man on Its Boxes Using Augmented Reality

Clip or Click? How the Pandemic Has Changed the Print vs. Digital Coupon Debate

OPERATIONS

Raising Cane Co-CEO: Simplifying Ops May Be Harder than Many Chains Think 

TECHNOLOGY

Privacy Tops Lists of Tech Objectives in 2021 (Study)

Beyond20 CEO Urges Businesses To Embrace Next-Gen Virtual Education & Collaboration Tools

PEOPLE & MILESTONES

Culver’s Names Rick Silva CEO

Heather Neary Joins KBP Investments as EVP & GM of KBP Bells