What are Americans making for dinner? Reservations.
With nearly half of all Americans at least partially vaccinated and 100% of Americans tired of their own cooking, restaurant traffic is rocketing back.
Restaurants
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Restaurants eating up federal COVID relief
As the pandemic subsides, local eateries are hopeful that a new coronavirus relief program, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, will help them emerge intact.
Q&A: Craig Baker preparing to open the AMP at 16 Tech
Restaurateur and chef Craig Baker is leading operations at the AMP, the artisan marketplace at 16 Tech Innovation District.
Owners of The GOAT in Carmel file petition to reverse zoning decision that shut down tavern
The owners say the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals’ decision to deny a zoning variance that would permit the tavern “was arbitrary and capricious.” They also point to other bars and restaurants in close proximity to The GOAT that are allowed to operate.
McDonald’s raising U.S. workers’ pay in company-owned stores
The fast-food giant is also encouraging its franchisees—which make up 95% of its restaurant base—to boost pay.
Suit challenges priority of federal restaurant aid for women, minorities
A conservative legal outfit claims the prioritization of restaurants and bars owned by women and certain minorities is pushing white men “to the back of the line” for aid for their eateries.
Owner closes Fountain Square icon Peppy Grill
Plans are in the works for a new location and further expansion of the greasy-spoon concept.
Historic downtown building with steakhouse space, luxury condo on market for $4.95M
Eddie Merlot’s, an upscale steakhouse chain based in Fort Wayne, had signed a lease to move into the restaurant space in 2019, but those plans were ultimately derailed by the pandemic.
Punch Bowl Social to reopen downtown location next week
The 23,000-square-foot restaurant-and-entertainment venue, part of a Denver-based chain, has been closed since March 2020, eliminating 91 jobs.
IBJ Podcast: Restaurants are getting busy again—but don’t have the staff to keep up
Host Mason King talks with two restauranteurs—Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery co-owner Danny Scotten and Upland Brewing Co. President David Bower—about how the labor crunch is affecting their eateries and what they’re doing to try to find workers.
Labor-starved restaurants, bars add bonuses, increased wages to the menu
Local restaurant owners battling a nationwide labor shortage are using alternative recruiting techniques and financial incentives to try to staff a returning dinner rush.
Pie Kitchen to enter Indy market with new concept in multiple locations
A Louisville, Kentucky-based restaurant chain known for its house-made desserts is entering the Indianapolis market, with Homemade Ice Cream & Bakery Cafe locations set to open within months in both Zionsville and Noblesville.
Veteran franchisees bringing Dave’s Hot Chicken chain to Indy
A Fort Wayne-based franchise group that operates 45 Pizza Hut locations, including some in Hamilton and Boone counties, has signed a deal to open 15 Dave’s Hot Chicken locations in Indiana. Most are expected to be in the Indy-area market.
$28.6B federal relief program for restaurants launches this week
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide up to $10 million per recipient to qualifying restaurants, bars, food trucks, caterers, and other eligible recipients based on their pandemic-related revenue losses.
DoorDash offers lower-priced delivery plans amid criticism
Even before the pandemic, DoorDash, Grubhub and other delivery companies had a rocky relationship with restaurants, who criticized their high fees, lack of transparency and sometimes spotty service. That relationship was further tested by the pandemic.
Carmel zoning board closes The GOAT by denying owner’s request
The Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday denied the request that would’ve allowed for the continued operation of the tavern in a primarily residential neighborhood.
Lawsuit targets pay practices at Olive Garden’s parent
Darden Restaurants employs more than 167,000 hourly workers at 1,800 restaurants. In addition to the Olive Garden chain, it owns Longhorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House and The Capital Grille.
Trailblazing Irvington restaurant closing after 18 years in business
The owners of The Legend Classic Irvington Cafe said “several different factors” are leading them to close the restaurant and retire, including repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
McDonald’s to mandate anti-harassment training worldwide
The change is part of a larger reckoning over sexual harassment at McDonald’s. At least 50 workers have filed charges against the company over the last five years, alleging physical and verbal harassment and, in some cases, retaliation when they complained.
Family-owned Turkish, Mediterranean eatery identifies Indy as best place to grow
The family behind Usta Turkish and Mediterranean Restaurant, slated to open in Broad Ripple by the end of the month, scouted several options for moving once it was forced to close its location in Bloomington, Illinois.