Eatery Pulse Team 
The restaurant industry saw food sentiment and service sentiment show positive trends, according to data-analytics firm Black Box Intelligence. Food sentiment increased 7%, while service rose 4.4%. Against the backdrop of industry comp sales dropping 12.6% from last year and comp traffic decreasing 19.2%. Intent to return was down 1.6%.
To say that 2020 has been a challenging year is an understatement. Restaurant operators have found themselves in a precarious position as they face increasing amounts of government regulation and take cautious approaches to help forestall transmission of the coronavirus in their communities.
Tijuana Flats opened a new restaurant in Ocoee, Florida, debuting its Tijuana prototype model. The corporate location offers the first sample of a new interior design and updated look as it restarts franchising and ramps up expansion.
Popeyes will expand within Mexico thanks to a development agreement with JK Capital. The move will help the quick-service chicken chain grow beyond its presence in Guadalajara to other markets in the North American country, including Mexico City.
The Halal Guys struck a deal with Smart Choice Food LLC to open restaurants in Ohio for the first time. The franchise agreement calls for 7 new units, expanding its Midwest presence after it debuted in the region in Illinois.
An undisclosed investor group has bought out the stake that Roark Capital affiliates owned in Middle Eastern Naf Naf Grill. Roark Capital had purchased a minority equity share in the growing Middle Eastern fast casual in 2015.
Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill named Nichole Robillard vice president of marketing. The two-decade marketing veteran brings a wealth of expertise, having worked for national marketing and advertising agencies.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop reduced its footprint and slimmed-down the menu for a new Taqueria prototype debuting in North Loop, Minneapolis. The fast casual’s new concept store represents the future of its expansion initiatives. The retail footprint was reduced to 1,200 to 1,800 SQF versus the typical 3,000 to 4,000 SQF as Fuzzy’s readies the upcoming April opening.
Starbucks expanded its line of ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages with a Cold & Crafted line, including Coffee with a Splash of Milk & Vanilla, Coffee with a Splash of Milk & Mocha, and Coffee Sweetened Black. These RTD beverages are a result of consumer research conducted to help the coffee chain fill a gap in the coffee product line.
As the Official Breakfast of March Madness, Wendy’s launched a free Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit offer to celebrate the return of the NCAA Tournament. The quick-service restaurant chain will extend the promotion to customers arriving during the morning hours of Thursday, March 18 to Saturday March, 20.
