Eric Nomis 
Noodles and Company began a new pilot at select restaurants to test fresh, made-to-order salads. Three, new salads will be introduced during the limited-time test, including Asian Apple Citrus Salad, Mexican Street Corn Salad and Quinoa Chop Salad.
Popeyes launched its much-anticipated loyalty program. Through Popeyes Rewards, customers of the QSR chicken chain will access exclusive deals, celebrations, member experiences, branded gear while earning and redeeming points for fan-favorite menu items.
El Pollo Loco began a drone delivery test of its fire-grilled chicken in the Southern California market. Executives note the pilot is part of its digital evolution. The restaurant company partnered with Tel Aviv-based drone startup Flytex for what it calls its Air Loco program.
Adalina, a modern Italian restaurant led by Michelin-starred Chef Soon Ahn, will open in Chicago’s Gold Coast district June 21. Partners Phil Siudak, Matt Deichl, Miles Muslin and Jonathan Gillespie are bringing the vision of Adalina to life.
A new Rum Mojito read-to-drink (RTD) cocktail arrived at Pollo Tropical. The chicken chain’s La Palmita Cocktail Co. created the recently-launched RTD beverage, which will be offered for $2 at Pollo Tropical locations.
The future of robotics in the restaurant industry is becoming closer to a reality each day. With Nuro’s R2 robot having started delivery for Domino’s Pizza in April and Flippy the Robot under agreement to flip sliders for White Castle, clearly advances in robotics will propel the restaurant industry forward in a variety of ways.
Restaurant365, a restaurant management platform, has acquired Compeat, a Serent Capital portfolio company offering a back-office suite with built-in workforce and business intelligence software. The combined businesses will serve over 28,000 restaurants.
With restaurants facing losses in sales of over $255B, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program has come at an opportune time. The RRF grants provided $28.6B in relief to eligible bars, restaurants and related foodservice businesses, and signal a long-awaited turning point for the restaurant industry. As restaurants enter the recovery phase, signs abound of the gradual resumption of business-as-usual; however, there are also indications throughout the industry that some aspects of restaurant operations have changed permanently.
The Wolfnights gourmet wrap chain plans to open its newest location in Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Broadway. A Midtown Manhattan spot will be the second of three new units opening this year, as the chain searches for optimal real estate for the last of the three.
Friendly’s Restaurants released a New England summer menu for the season. The menu, which launches June 7, is headlined by lobster rolls, shrimp quesadillas and a Cape Cod SuperMelt.
