Free Republic

McDonald's will close 200 locations in the United States as the chain faces a bumpy recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic after second quarter global sales dropped by 30 percent due to lockdowns limiting operations to drive-thru and delivery. The fast-food company reported a bigger-than-expected drop in second-quarter profits on Tuesday as a result of much lower sales due to coronavirus closures that affected most of the chain's worldwide network. The fast-food company suffered a 68 percent drop in profits to $483.8 million, following a 30 percent decline in revenues to $3.8 billion. McDonald's is set to accelerate restaurant closures this...

The Nini’s Deli incident—mentioned briefly in a post here earlier this month—was a particularly malicious act perpetrated by the jack-booted thought police that is BLM/Antifa. Surprisingly, it didn’t seem to get much coverage on either side. Apparently the restaurant was started by 2 Cuban immigrant brothers & had been a local favorite for years. The chaos began in the early aftermath of the George Floyd incident, when BLM/Antifa started requesting (requiring) Chicago businesses to release statements in favor of BLM. The Nini’s mgmt. politely replied with a statement to the effect of “All Lives Matter,” supporting the police, & professing...

(CNN)A new national survey spells more bad news for the restaurant industry. Sixty percent of restaurants that shut down during the pandemic are now closed for good, says the report from Yelp, the online service that provides crowd-sourced reviews. "The restaurant industry now reflects the highest total business closures, recently surpassing retail," Yelp says.

History is pounding at agriculture’s door. One of the greatest farming enigmas to afflict growers in the last 100 years has been solved, yet the answer sits idle. At its core, the cotton riddle is simple: How to remove a naturally occurring pest deterrent from seeds, yet preserve the toxin within plants? The long-sought solution means cotton can make a massive leap from fabric to consumption—and provide 10.8 trillion grams of precious protein for the animal feed industry and human intake. Bottom line: After 7,000 years of cultivation, cotton is at the cusp of helping feed the planet. Cotton has...

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

The Wuhan coronavirus lockdowns have produced the spectacle of politicians unilaterally deciding what businesses are essential, what products these so-called essential businesses may sell, and -- now in New York -- which foods are considered "substantive" for purposes of selling alcohol. In New York, as in many other states, bars are required to have food available as a condition for selling alcohol. But during the current lockdowns, Gov. Cuomo made a new rule requiring patrons to purchase a food item in order to purchase an alcoholic beverage. The requirement is reportedly aimed at reducing curbside boozing during the coronavirus pandemic....

A dining experience beloved by generations of hungry Americans is in danger of being spoiled by the coronavirus pandemic. Buffets - from the humblest hotel breakfasts to the grandest casino banquets - are struggling to stay afloat as new health restrictions come into place and wary diners eschew the self-serve dining tradition. As many buffets go out of business across the US, others are innovating and trying desperately to keep the business model relevant and appetising. Susan Yin, the owner of Jack's Fresh in downtown Washington DC, tells BBC News that her average sales have dropped nearly 90% after they...

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

“With the increase in #COVID19 cases across the country, we are committed to doing our part to help reduce the spread of the virus. Starting July 22, we will require all customers in all locations to wear a mask, joining our associates who continue to wear masks,” the [Kroger] company tweeted Wednesday.

Two Clovis restaurants were cited recently for allowing customers to eat inside, a violation of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders to slow the spread of COVID-19. Fresno County is among the counties affected by the state of California’s crackdown due to the rising numbers of positive cases. House of JuJu and Luna’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant each received misdemeanor citations from the California Department of Beverage Control on Friday. The ABC is part of multi-agency strike team the governor assembled to enforce the dining rules.

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 37-year-old IHOP employee was assaulted in the early morning hours Thursday after confronting customers who dined and dashed. Officers responded at about 5:45 a.m. after receiving a report of an assault in progress on the 2200 block of Killebrew Drive in Bloomington. Police said the IHOP manager was assaulted after confronting a large group in the parking lot who had left without paying their entire bill.

Subway announced Wednesday it is banning the open carry of firearms in restaurants across the nation. WRAL reports the ban applies even in states where open carry is legal. Guns.com notes Subway’s firearm policy now says the restaurant chain requests “guests (other than authorized law enforcement) refrain from openly displaying firearms inside restaurants — even in states where ‘open carry’ is permitted.”

The Allegheny County Health Department was fielding hundreds of complaints about restaurants and bars not enforcing face masks and other pandemic rules just before the county shut down indoor dining again last week because of a record number of COVID-19 cases. According to county health department data, there were 419 virus-related complaints involving restaurants and bars the week of June 29. That compares with 116 complaints received during the first 20 days of the green phase of the state’s reopening plan from June 5-25. Most of those complaints were related to masks. On June 30, restaurants and bars were ordered...

It’s time to say farewell to the red-checkered, overall-wearing Big Boy mascot. Originating in 1936, Big Boy has become a beloved American symbol, but a change is now underway, and a new symbol is upon us. Big Boy restaurants has announced the takeover of a new mascot named Dolly. While the name Big Boy will stay, the original rosy-cheeked mascot will not.

I have an idea I would like to float past Freepers as to how to get the word out about how we are being hoodwinked on COVID-19. This idea involves using “tipcards” when giving tips to service workers, such as waitresses/waiters/food servers, delivery people, etc. I don’t know about you, but I try to tip these people more than the usual 20%, mainly because they have to wear masks all day long and I feel sorry for them. I am also rather impressed by how surly they have not become because of this. Many years ago, when I was a...

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

The Palmyra Italian eatery Taste of Sicily has now racked up $10,000 in fines for allowing customers to eat in their dining room before they moved to the “green” phase of the state’s reopening plan. The restaurant’s owners showed themselves getting served the latest citation in a video posted to their Facebook page. Two inspectors from the Department of Agriculture enter the Main Street establishment and leave the $4,000 citation behind, without saying a word. “Would you guys care to do an interview?” co-owner Christine Wartluft asks, while following the men to their car. “And you call yourselves an American,...

I’ve been sick the last couple of weeks, and have had energy for the absolutely necessary – and the nice distractions! I thought I’d share with you some of the things that have distracted me from my personal issues, and from the larger issues that most of us are facing. I guess it isn’t a surprise that I’ve been drawn, for distraction, to people and places who aren’t really dealing with all the cr*p that many of us are. One of the websites I’ve greatly enjoyed has been ‘Whippoorwill Holler’, offered by Mr. and Mrs. Brown in Northeast Arkansas. Lately,...

NPC International, the largest U.S. franchisee of Yum Brands’ Pizza Hut, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday. The company operates more than 1,200 Pizza Huts and nearly 400 Wendy’s restaurants. In contrast to most of the restaurant industry, Pizza Hut is one of the rare companies to report same-store sales growth in April and May, thanks to higher digital and delivery sales. But the coronavirus pandemic follows years of slumping U.S. sales for Pizza Hut, and NPC has struggled with a debt burden of roughly $1 billion. Seeking Chapter 11 protection means that NPC can continue to operate while...