The pandemic has offered restaurants a much-needed reset button. For years progressive restaurateurs, especially those in fine dining, have been looking for a way to make the industry into a “real” profession, while also finding a way to even out the inequities in pay between the servers in … Read more >>

President Trump’s executive order on August 8, 2020, directing the Treasury Department to allow companies to defer an employee’s payroll taxes from September through the end of the year, came with plenty of political bluster, but no real guidelines for employers. On August 29, the Treasury D… Read more >>

Wintrust Bank CEO Ed Wehmer recalled his dad asking him in high school, “What’re you going to do for your career? Why don’t you be a CPA and then you can go around and ask any questions you want about all sorts of businesses?”  Read more >>

On August 4 the names Sandy Beall, Kevin Reddy and Doug Jacob appeared in a prospectus for a blank-check company called FAST Acquisition Corp (FAC). Known formally as a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC, FAC is among 64 other such entities filing so far this year to go public for … Read more >>

If the restaurant industry had an official sportsbook, the most popular wager would be the over-under on restaurant closures. Read more >>

Talk to any investment banker in the restaurant business these days and they'll tell you about the frequent calls they're receiving from investors looking for distressed investment opportunities. Read more >>

Expect the rising fear of a second wave, social distancing protocols and continuing economic panic to undermine consumer confidence at least until 2021, and likely longer. A presidential election this fall doesn't help matters. Read more >>

Shake Shack, Ruth's Chris and Potbelly set off a media firestorm last week when the three public restaurant companies announced they had received Paycheck Protection Loans (PPP) under the CAREs Act stimulus program for small businesses. Read more >>

Chick-fil-A reported record sales and earnings in 2019. The Atlanta-based quick serve operator, ranked last year by Franchise Times Magazine as the 12th largest franchise company in the U.S., was poised to for another strong year in 2020. However, dining room closures and restrictions to ope… Read more >>

Concerns from participating banks about the amount of interest they can charge for Payroll Protection Loans, and continued questions about eligibility and use of proceeds, forced the Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue revised loan guidelines late Thursday night. Read more >>

Options for beleaguered restaurants owners are quickly mobilizing and here is what you need to know. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, recently passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 27, allows the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guaran… Read more >>

Obviously, these are tough times for the restaurant industry. It behooves restaurant owners to effectively use their advisors, particularly their accountants and your lawyers. Your goal is twofold: Communicate most effectively with all the constituencies you have to deal with and be in the b… Read more >>

If you've had to close your restaurant, you will need to make plans for your inventory and your employees. If you've done that, then you are probably hunkered down at home and thinking - now what? Read more >>

Along with you, we are closely watching the impact COVID-19 is having on our communities and businesses. We understand the tremendous impact that the restaurant and franchise industries have on the economy. Read more >>

The challenges for restaurants from the Covid-19 virus are formidable. Here are some ideas to ensure the viability of your business at least until the all-clear signal is given. Read more >>