Well, we’re basically halfway through 2020. That in of itself is cause for celebration – you are likely surviving one of the most anxiety-ridden years of your life! Some of us are reeling from canceled summer vacations, while others now have to figure out how to make ends meet. The best thing we can do is stay humble and grateful for the signs of economic and social growth that are beginning to surface.
This week we’re going to focus on the highlights we’ve heard from the restaurant industry that is giving us good vibes. Here’s what we think is definitely worth a read:

Al Fresco Dining Is The Restaurant Industry’s Best Hope
If you are itching to get out for your next meal but you want to stay as safe as possible, try enjoying a night out on the patio of your favorite eatery. We’re excited to see the growth in outdoor (aka, “al fresco”) dining across the U.S., with areas such as Tampa’s Ybor City and Baltimore’s Little Italy clamoring the streets. With New York – the state that once was the hardest hit – now starting to reopen, many believe that sidewalk tables represent the best hope for recovery. What’s more, the rise in al fresco dining is just in time for summer!

Los Angeles and NYC cap third party delivery fees
With dine-in service limited (or nonexistent), many restaurants are forced to rely on delivery for up to 80% of sales; even with new emergency legislation in place (in some areas), those that use third-party delivery apps pay a hefty amount of that revenue in fees. We’re happy to see many large cities, including New York City and Los Angeles, capping the delivery commission to no more than 20%. This is part of a comprehensive relief package, which also prohibits charges for phone orders and waives sidewalk fees for outdoor dining. We encourage all of our diners to support our restaurants by ordering directly from them whenever possible.

Why First Watch Will Reemerge an Even Better Restaurant Chain
What are some positive news stories that you’ve heard this week? Let us know in the comments section below!