Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz

Hosts, bussers and others use UV-C sterilizing wands to clean tables, utensils and glassware between uses at Formento's.

What will it take to make diners feel safe indoors? Nearly 60% feel uneasy eating inside, so restaurants try sterilizing UV wands, tabletop air purifiers as winter looms.

September 25, 2020 at 7:11 a.m.

The host greeting diners at Formento's, an Italian restaurant in the West Town neighborhood, now offers guests something new alongside the menu and wine list: a portable air purifier for...

Production line of Easy Mac Macaroni & Cheese Cups at Kraft Foods manufacturing plant in Champaign on Friday, March 27, 2020.
Kraft Foods produces Macaroni and Cheese, Miracle Whip, Kraft mayonnaise and salad dressings in this facility.
(Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

Kraft Heinz will cut $2 billion in costs, reinvest in iconic brands like Heinz ketchup and Lunchables

September 15, 2020 at 4:41 p.m.

Kraft Heinz plans to cut $2 billion in costs over the next five years and put the savings into marketing brands with the highest potential for growth, part of a...

Mariano's supermarket employee Luke Magana fills online orders at the Oak Lawn location on Sept. 11, 2020.

They’re still working. They’re still healthy. But they’re still scared. What the past six months have been like for Chicago’s essential workers

September 11, 2020 at 4:26 p.m.

When the streets emptied of people six months ago, a new class of heroes emerged. They were the drivers, grocery clerks, janitors and others who braved the early unease of...

David Klein, who invented the Jelly Belly jelly bean, poses for photos in Covina, California, on Oct. 12, 2011.

Jelly Belly distances itself from a Willy Wonka-style contest with a candy factory as the grand prize

September 9, 2020 at 11:42 a.m.

Jelly Belly Candy Co. on Tuesday sought to distance itself from a Willy Wonka-style contest that promises to award a winner the keys to a candy factory. The nationwide "gold...

ChiFresh Kitchen members drop off the quesadilla meals Aug. 4, 2020, to the Peace House in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.

As the need for food aid soars, small Chicago grassroots efforts are stepping up. ‘When it was a difficult moment, we made a difference.’

August 28, 2020 at 3:33 p.m.

A year ago, Kimberly Britt was nearing the end of a long prison sentence and thinking she'd pursue a career as a hairstylist. She never imagined she would be running...

Steve Easterbrook, then-CEO of McDonald's Corp., greets people in the crowd June 4, 2018, before the grand opening of McDonald's headquarters in Chicago's Fulton Market District. McDonald's said Aug. 25, 2020, that it is investigating allegations against its human resources department and claims that Easterbrook covered up improprieties by other employees.

Chicago restaurants sue for coronavirus insurance payouts, struggle to hang on. ‘We’re just hoping it’s not too little too late.’

August 14, 2020 at 11:06 a.m.

Since suing his insurance carrier nearly five months ago, in hopes of recovering some of the money he's lost during the pandemic, Ryan Marks has been doing what he can...

All Stories

What will it take to make diners feel safe indoors? Nearly 60% feel uneasy eating inside, so restaurants try sterilizing UV wands, tabletop air purifiers as winter looms.

Kraft Heinz will cut $2 billion in costs, reinvest in iconic brands like Heinz ketchup and Lunchables

They’re still working. They’re still healthy. But they’re still scared. What the past six months have been like for Chicago’s essential workers

Jelly Belly distances itself from a Willy Wonka-style contest with a candy factory as the grand prize

As the need for food aid soars, small Chicago grassroots efforts are stepping up. ‘When it was a difficult moment, we made a difference.’

McDonald’s investigates HR department as part of probe into ousted CEO Steve Easterbrook’s conduct

Empty downtown office buildings force fast-casual restaurant chains to shrink menus, look to neighborhoods for customers

Goodyear flap shows how political tensions can flare over workplace attire

Former McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook fights company’s suit seeking to claw back millions in severance

Chicago restaurants sue for coronavirus insurance payouts, struggle to hang on. ‘We’re just hoping it’s not too little too late.’