---
title: "Good (and Other) News! – March 2021"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/663db2a7-fa48-4b3f-bea0-096f3775562a
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/good_and_other_news__march_2021.html
author: "Eddy Goldberg"
category: "Franchise Industry"
industry: "Franchise Industry"
published: 2021-03-19T09:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:30:43.570Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/5863_plate.jpg
---

# Good (and Other) News! – March 2021

**TL;DR:** The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the franchising industry, with many businesses struggling to stay afloat. However, with vaccines becoming more widespread, there is a glimmer of optimism for a post-Covid recovery.

*By Eddy Goldberg, originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-03-19. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/good_and_other_news__march_2021.html).*

## Story

Welcome back to our monthly news roundup. We’ve added a note of realism, calling it “Good (and Other) News!,” to reflect the ongoing effects of the pandemic on franchising – and now, with vaccines becoming more widespread, a glimmer of optimism.

So in addition to our regular grab bag of good news about business growth and change, we’re continuing with our new section on how businesses are beginning to get comfortable with the idea of a post-Covid recovery. Here’s your chance to follow the leaders, every third Tuesday of the month! And if you’re not doing it already, send us your good (and other) news here!

COPING WITH COVID – REOPENING & RECOVERY Covid-19 Stimulus Package Is a Boon for Business President Biden Opens PPP Loan Period for Businesses with Fewer than 20 Employees Addressing Employee Burnout Will Be Key in the Post-Pandemic Workplace 4 Steps Companies Can Take To Prepare for a Return to the Office Restaurants Closed or Limited by Covid Are Reopening, But Running Them Is Still a Battle Retail Picture Brightens as U.S. Warms To Covid Vaccinations Drive-Through Lanes Have Become Hotter Commodities Since the Pandemic Ghost Franchises Arise During Covid Texas Drops Virus Restrictions as Wave of Reopenings Takes Hold Starbucks & Target Are Among the Companies Still Mandating Masks Despite Lift on Covid Restrictions in Texas NRA Show 2021 Canceled Because of Covid Trade Shows Are Making a (Slow and Cautious) Comeback A Year of Covid Accelerates Change, Transforming Hospitality Breakfast Delivery’s Pandemic Surge Could Vanish with Recovery DoorDash Warns the Covid Vaccine Will Likely Slow Its Business Target Boosts Growth During Covid Pandemic at Rivals’ Expense Costco Raises Minimum Hourly Wage to $16 Many Businesses Support a Minimum-Wage Increase Antioch Pizza Shop Unveils Strategic Franchise Expansion Plan Webinar, March 17: FranConnect’s Q2 Franchise Sales Index Report FINANCE/M&A Freddy’s Frozen Custard Sold to Thompson Street Capital Partners Quaker Steak & Lube Sold for $5 Million Saladworks Parent WoWorks Acquires The Simple Greek Cicis Pizza Emerges from Chapter 11 After Restructuring Ruby Tuesday Emerges from Chapter 11 Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Declares Bankruptcy Investors Agree To Acquire By Chloe Vegan Restaurant Chain from Bankruptcy Torchy’s Tacos Reportedly Exploring an IPO LEADERSHIP McDonald’s Commits to Leadership Diversity Book: The Art of Caring Leadership – How Leading With Heart Uplifts Teams and Organizations Book: The CEO Test – Master the Challenges that Make or Break All Leaders LEGAL Insurance Coverage for Pandemic Losses Hard to Come By MARKETING What the Marketing Industry Lost and Gained After 1 Year in the Pandemic Pizza Hut Will Let Customers Play Pac Man on Its Boxes Using Augmented Reality Clip or Click?

How the Pandemic Has Changed the Print vs.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- franchise expansion (topic)
- Franchise Industry (sector)
- McDonald's (company)
- Starbucks (company)
- Eddy Goldberg (person)
- Pizza Hut (company)
- DoorDash (company)
- leadership (topic)
- Saladworks (company)
- Target (company)
- Freddy's (company)

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Originally reported by Eddy Goldberg, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/good_and_other_news__march_2021.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/663db2a7-fa48-4b3f-bea0-096f3775562a).