Good News! – November 2020

Back in August 2009, deep in the trough of the Great Recession and weary of the daily barrage of “Everything’s going wrong and the world is about to end!!” we began this monthly roundup of what was still going right. We called it The Winner’s Column. Today, Covid-19 has created a new kind of uncertainty – but with a critical difference: everyone is susceptible this time around. No “best practices” or management jiujitsu will stop the virus, only slow its spread (or so we hope). And here comes winter and record numbers of cases across the United States. So, in addition to our regular roundup of business growth and change, we’ve added a special section on how businesses are coping with the coronavirus. Sorry, it’s not all good news right now, but you knew that.

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 news here!

COPING WITH COVID – REOPENING, RECOVERY, & CLOSINGS

Wendy’s Balks at Flynn Group’s Bid for NPC Units in $816 Million Bankruptcy Sale

Roark Plans To Close All 358 Pet Valu Stores in the U.S., Citing Covid-19

Marriott Reduces Expenses, Returns to Profitability in Q3

Focus Brands President on How To Transform the Workplace During a Crisis

Restaurants Fine-Tune Dining Rooms as Covid Spreads and Restrictions Return

Malls File for Bankruptcy or Shut Their Doors as Pandemic Pain Spreads

Nekter Juice Bar Reports 32% Q3 Sales Increase

Sweetgreen To Cut Corporate Staff by 20%

Coolgreens Reports Record Q3 Sales, Signs AD Deal for 50 Units, Plans Ghost Kitchen

FINANCE/M&A

Investors in Fast Food Brands Are “Lovin’ It”

Investment Firms Are Extending High-Interest Loans to Hotel Owners in Need of Cash.

LaunchLife International Acquires Engineering for Kids

MoneyMailerUSA Acquires The Inside Coup

NEW UNITS/GROWTH/EXPANSION/NEW & EMERGING BRANDS

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop Automat Partners with Fransmart, Targets 500 Units in 10 Years

Southern Classic Chicken, with 17 Units, Announces Franchise Expansion Plans

Romeo’s Pizza Announces Expansion Plan in the Midst of the Pandemic

10 Missteps To Avoid in Launching & Expanding a Fast Casual Brand

MARKETING

Fast Food’s Big Bets on Breakfast Falter During Covid-19 

Study: QSR Apps Rule as Demand for Digital Orders Tops 70%

Starbucks Testing Vegan Breakfast Sandwich from Impossible Foods Near Seattle

Burger King To Test Reusable Packaging in NYC and Portland, Oregon

Social Media Trends 2021 Global Report (Free Download)

Study: Most High Earners Plan To Spend More This Holiday Season

FRANCHISING CARES

Image One Announces First Responders & Military Veteran Franchise Giveaway

ODDS, ENDS & TRENDS

How Your Brain Tricks You into Taking Risks During the Pandemic

U.S. Consumer Comfort Fell to 7-Week Low Ahead of Election

Covid Relief Now Coalition Launches Ad Blitz, Adds New Members

Panda Express Says Restaurant in China Bearing Resemblance in Is Fake

PEOPLE, AWARDS, MILESTONES

RIP Freddy Simon, Namesake of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Cecilia Chang, Chinese Food Pioneer in the U.S., Dies at 100