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COVID-19 Update: New Cases; JWA; Juice It Up – Orange County Business Journal


The Business Journal is tracking company moves related to the coronavirus. This listing will continue to be updated as the situation changes.

Send items to hamanaka@ocbj.com

For more details on many of these reports, see individual story links and the Monday print edition of the Business Journal.

April 3, 3:10 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Friday there have been 711 cases of coronavirus in the county, with 13 deaths total.

No new deaths were reported Friday; three cities—Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim—combined for 199 of the 711 cases.

Nearly 8,700 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

— Katie Murar

April 3, 2:45 PM

HOSPITALITY, TOURISM

John Wayne Airport said air traffic declined 60% in March compared with the same period last year. Airport Director Barry Rondinella said reduced traffic affects all aspects of airport operations. JWA could be in line to receive funds from the recent relief stimulus package.

— Katie Murar

April 3, 1:15 PM

RESTAURANTS

Irvine-based smoothie and juice chain Juice It Up said it expects to continue waiving the royalty and marketing fees for its franchisees at least through the end of this month. The company began cutting the fees in mid-March in response to the pandemic’s impact on business operations.

— Kari Hamanaka

April 3, 11:45 AM

EDUCATION

UCI Law students are doing more pro bono work amid the coronavirus crisis. About 30 have taken on new projects involving humanitarian parole requests; tracking city and county activity on homelessness and housing insecurity; and delivering legal documents to seniors.

— Jessie Yount

April 3, 11:15 AM

APPAREL

Huntington Beach action sports apparel firm Boardriders Inc. announced a raft of measures taken in response to the pandemic, including furloughs, pay cuts, store closures and working from home. The company said it’s also now looking to preparing the business for the future, post-coronavirus.

— Kari Hamanaka

April 2, 4:50 PM

TOURISM

Some Disneyland Resort employees will be furloughed after April 18 as part of a companywide move by Burbank-based Walt Disney Co. Workers will remain employees, eligible for healthcare and part of the benefits from the recent $2T relief stimulus package.

The Resort, with two parks, three hotels, and a retail shopping layout, is the largest employer in OC with about 35,000 workers.

— Katie Murar

April 2, 4:35 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Thursday there are 656 cases of coronavirus in the county, with 13 deaths reported; nearly 7,800 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

Three cities—Irvine, Newport Beach, and Anaheim—combined for 185 cases.

— Katie Murar

April 2, 4:25 PM

EDUCATION

UCI will pay staff with no furloughs due to the coronavirus through at least June 30, a letter from the office of the UC system’s president said. The missive applies to all 10 UC schools.

UCI is the second-largest employer in Orange County with about 24,700 workers.

— Jessie Yount

April 2, 3:10 AM

HOSPITALITY

Anaheim Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli will pay all 2,100 part-time staff of their sports and event companies, though venues are closed. The commitment applies to the Ducks and an affiliated developmental league hockey team in San Diego; the Honda Center; a restaurant across the street from the venue; and sports facilities and ice rinks.

— Katie Murar

April 2, 10:30 AM

ECONOMY

Half of OC companies plan to cut jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic and a ‘business expectations’ index plunged from 92.9 in the first quarter to 22.7, according to a report by CSUF’s Woods Center. A reading of 50 or more indicates belief in future economic growth.

— Kevin Costelloe

April 2, 9:30 AM

RESTAURANTS

Lake Forest fast food operator Del Taco Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: TACO) has padded its cash reserves with the draw down of $50 million from a revolving credit line. The chain’s cash on hand now totals more than $56 million. That, among several other actions taken in response to the pandemic, had President and CEO John D. Cappasola saying the company is “well positioned for both the near term and when this crisis is firmly behind us.”

— Kari Hamanaka

April 1, 3:50 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Wednesday there are 606 cases of coronavirus in the county, with 10 deaths reported; nearly 7,300 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

About a quarter of the 606 cases are in Irvine, Newport Beach, and Anaheim.

— Katie Murar

April 1, 3:40 PM

HOSPITALITY

Disney Parks, Anaheim hotels, and the city of Anaheim are donating and delivering products to hospitals and individuals in the city, using the resort transit system, as well as through U.S. groups nationally, as part of coronavirus pandemic efforts.

— Katie Murar

April 1, 12:25 PM

NONPROFITS

Goodwill of Orange County has asked that people hold on to their donations until the organization’s stores and drop-off centers re-open. The group has seen a number of drop-offs to unattended facilities, with some of those items then taken or damaged by the weather.

— Kari Hamanaka

April 1, 12:15 PM

EDUCATION

Chapman, UCI, and CSUF have canceled spring graduation ceremonies; the events will find a place on the calendar but no firm dates were given.

— Jessie Yount

March 31, 4:25 PM

NONPROFITS

United Way has collected about $1.1 million to-date for its coronavirus work to support low-income individuals, families at imminent risk of homelessness and current homeless populations. Its top requests are coming for basics: housing, food, utilities.

— Jessie Yount

March 31, 4:00 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Tuesday there are 502 cases of coronavirus in the county, with seven deaths reported; nearly 6,700 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

The three cities with the most cases are Irvine, Newport Beach, and Anaheim.

— Katie Murar

March 31, 1:55 PM

FOOD

Anaheim-based Fresh n’ Lean is ramping up hiring to accommodate increased demand stemming from the stay-at-home order prompted by COVID-19. The company aims to bring on some 75 workers and is nearly halfway there.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 30, 5:05 PM

RESTAURANTS, TECHNOLOGY

ShiftPixy Inc. (Nasdaq: PIXY) in Irvine warned of effects the coronavirus could have on its tech-based temp services to restaurants in an SEC filing that also noted its aim to sell up to $23.4 million in common shares and warrants.

Shares were down 10% in intraday trading and 5% more after hours to a $5.5 million market cap. The firm did a 1:40 reverse stock split in December.

— Kevin Costelloe

March 30, 4:25 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Monday there are 464 cases of coronavirus in the county, with four deaths reported; nearly 5,500 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

The three cities with the most cases are Irvine, Newport Beach, and Anaheim.

— Katie Murar

March 30, 4:15 PM

MANUFACTURING

Count Irvine-based Kia Motors America Inc., St. John Knits of Irvine and Brea-based AST Sportswear among the latest local companies to help boost inventories of face masks and gowns to hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities. The carmaker delivered 500 N95 masks to UCI Medical Center; St. John and AST, are using their manufacturing facilities to make supplies on site.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 30, 12:05 PM

HEALTHCARE

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. is pausing new enrollments in some clinical trials for mitral and tricuspid valve replacement products.

— A. Leigh Corbett

March 30, 9:20 AM

RESTAURANTS

Taco Bell Corp. CEO Mark King penned another letter to consumers on work the chain is doing in response to the coronavirus. The chain is giving $1 million to No Kid Hungry and using its food truck fleet to feed essential workers this week and giving surplus food to food banks.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 27, 5:50 PM

RETAIL

Irvine retailer Tilly’s Inc. (NYSE: TLYS) said it furloughed non-management store associates and some workers at corporate and in its distribution center. Co-founder Hezy Shaked is no longer taking a paycheck, CEO Ed Thomas won’t get one in April and will take a temporary pay cut after April. Other execs will also see salaries cut.

The retailer also said it borrowed $23.7 million from its credit facility, adding to its $122.4 million of cash on hand.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 27,4:40 PM

NONPROFITS

Working Wardrobes founder and CEO Jerri Rosen said her Irvine non-profit’s been forced to lay off most of its staff following a “double whammy” set of events. The organization lost its headquarters in a February fire, followed now by the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak on operations.

The cuts leave Working Wardrobes with a staff of 10. Events and workshops will move online for now.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 27, 3:15 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Friday there are 321 cases of coronavirus in the county, with three deaths reported; nearly 4,100 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

Three heavily trafficked cities reported the highest number of cases: Irvine, with 33; Newport Beach, with 32; and Anaheim, with 28.

— Katie Murar

March 27, 2:55 PM

TECHNOLOGY

Software maker Restaurant365 laid off staff and delayed a funding round as it anticipates slowdowns by restaurant industry clients. Cuts came at its Irvine headquarters and in Austin, Texas. The company will also delay a new funding round.

— Jessie Yount

March 27, 2:15 PM

TOURISM

Disneyland Resort is closed indefinitely; workers will be paid through April 18. The layout, with two parks, three hotels and a retail district, is OC’s largest employer.

— Katie Murar

March 27, 2:05 PM

NONPROFITS

Orange County Community Foundation and several other charities have launched a ‘resilience fund’ and raised $2 million in 10 days. Donations are still coming in; grants will go to help those affected by COVID-19.

— Jessie Yount

March 27, 12:40 PM

TOURISM

John Wayne Airport closed its air traffic control tower after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus. Regional air traffic controllers are landing planes at a rate about one-third of standard levels and one runway is also shut down.

— Kevin Costelloe

March 27, 12:25 PM

RESTAURANTS

A bevy of local chefs and others in the food industry have banded together to offer deliveries to urgent care and ER workers. Participants span the county, including a cafe, bread makers, and a family farm.

To Help: Email dee.breakofdawn@gmail.com

— Kari Hamanaka

March 27, 12:05 PM

HOSPITALITY

Local hotels closed by the virus are issuing temporary layoff notices to workers, a state WARN report said. About 650 jobs are affected so far, with about half from Hyatt Regency Orange County, in Garden Grove, about a mile from Disneyland Resort.

— Katie Murar

March 26, 3:55 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Thursday there are 256 cases of coronavirus in the county, with one death reported; 3,605 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

More than half of cases are in people aged 18 to 49; the individual who died was a man in his 70s.

— Katie Murar

March 26, 2:45 PM

MEDIA & EVENTS

The Business Journal rescheduled three awards luncheons.

The Excellence in Entrepreneurship event will be Thursday, Aug. 20; the Women in Business honors is Wednesday, Sept. 9; the Family-Owned Business awards, will be Thursday, Nov. 19.

— Paul Hughes

March 26, 12:45 PM

HEALTHCARE

Glaukos Corp. (NYSE: GKOS) issued an update on effects of the coronavirus on its business, including shorter manufacturing and assembly shifts and potential effects on its short-, near- and long-term results.

It withdrew annual guidance and said it had $183 million in cash and cash equivalents at year-end.

— A. Leigh Corbett

March 25, 4:05 PM

HEALTHCARE

The Orange County Health Care Agency said Wednesday there are 187 cases of coronavirus in the county, with the first death reported; 2,442 people have been tested by HCA’s public health lab and local commercial testing labs.

More than half of cases are in people aged 18 to 49; the individual who died was a man in his 70s.

— Katie Murar

March 25, 3:40 PM

TOURISM

Two key Anaheim Convention Center are part of about 40 in coming months now cancelled as a result of the coronavirus. VidCon and WonderCon, part of a stable of entertainment-focused shows built up over the last several years in Anaheim, could be rescheduled for the fall.

— Katie Murar

March 25, 9:55 PM

ARTS

Effects of the coronavirus are beginning to be felt further out, with the canceling of the remainder of the 2019-20 season of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. The affected performances could be rescheduled in the future, the organization said.

— Kevin Costelloe

March 24, 3:00 PM

HEALTHCARE

Orange County Health Care Agency’s public health lab and commercial labs have tested 2,159 people and confirmed 152 cases of coronavirus, with no deaths reported.

Two-thirds of cases are in people aged 18 to 49.

The agency provides text updates in partnership with Pasadena-based Everbridge Nixle, an emergency notifications and community engagement company.

— Katie Murar

March 24, 11:00 AM

HEALTHCARE

Healthpeak Properties Inc. (NYSE: PEAK) expects slower construction and dispositions due to effects of the coronavirus. The healthcare REIT said liquidity at the end of the current quarter will be about $3.3 billion. A dozen patients at its facilities are sick or have died from the virus.

— A. Leigh Corbett

March 24, 10:35 AM

RESTAURANTS

The founders of Wahoo’s Fish Taco reiterated the company remains open for business, with take-out and delivery options through Door Dash and Grubhub. “The crisis remains fluid, so we will adapt accordingly as more information comes out,” the company said in a statement.

March 24, 10:00 AM

HOSPITALITY

Some 44 hotels have temporarily closed in Anaheim as a result of coronavirus’ effect on tourism. Close to 40 groups have also canceled or postponed their business with the city, about half of which was planned for the Anaheim Convention Center.

— Katie Murar


March 23, 4:00 PM

RESTAURANTS

BJ’s Restaurants Inc. on Monday said it will draw on its $250 million credit line, delay or cancel restaurant openings, trim expenses, and defer or suspend dividend payments, including one scheduled for tomorrow, March 24. The moves come to address the impact of the novel coronavirus on the company’s business.

BJ’s has 209 restaurants in 29 states and systemwide revenue of about $1 billion a year. It’s the third-largest restaurant chain based here after Taco Bell Corp. and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 23, 3:45 PM

TOURISM

Five hotels in Laguna Beach with a total of about 350 rooms have temporarily closed due to low occupancy levels and for safety precautions. The hotels expect to reopen in April or May.

— Katie Murar

March 23, 10:45 AM

APPAREL

Costa Mesa-based Vans Inc. parent VF Corp. (NYSE: VFC) will draw $1 billion on a credit line, idle its brick-and-mortar retail fleet, and withdraw fiscal 2020 guidance. VFC is based in Denver. Its brands include Timberland and Dickies.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 23, 9:00 AM

RESTAURANTS

Restaurant operators including Habit Burger Grill and El Torito are calling on consumers to participate in The Great American Takeout. The campaign is aimed at ramping take-out and delivery orders to support businesses affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic, with the kick-off March 24.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 21, 4:50 PM

APPAREL

Costa Mesa action sports apparel company Volcom LLC has had to furlough most of its staff, according to a report from industry trade Shop-Eat-Surf. Volcom, OC’s 10th largest apparel company, furloughed 75% of its U.S. team and all of its European staff, the report said. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Business Journal.

— Kari Hamanaka

March 20, 10:30 AM

HEALTHCARE/TECHNOLOGY

Irvine business accelerator Octane rescheduled two health- and tech-related forums, from spring and early summer to late summer and early fall, in response to the coronavirus and an executive order from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

— A. Leigh Corbett

March 19, 10:30 PM

STATEWIDE

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive stay-at-home order for Californians Thursday evening. Businesses such as gas stations, pharmacies, grocery and convenience stores, banks, laundromats or restaurants offering take out and delivery are exempt.

See related item here.

March 19, 2:00 PM

RETAIL

Brea Mall, Brea: Closed until March 29

MainPlace Mall, Santa Ana: Closure effective March 18, management monitoring situation.

Pacific Sunwear of California LLC: All stores closed through March 28.

Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo: Closed until March 29.

South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa: Reopening March 31.

The Outlets at Orange, Orange: Closed until March 29.

Tilly’s Inc.: All 239 U.S. stores closed through at least March 27.

Outlets at San Clemente, San Clemente: Closed through March 31.

RESTAURANTS

For a comprehensive listing of take-out options, please visit the OC Restaurant Association‘s site, here.

Andrei’s, Irvine: Offering curbside take out and delivery on a la carte lunch and dinner menus, family meal packages.

More Information: andreisrestaurant.com

Dough & Arrow, Costa Mesa: Offering takeout cookies and coffee, in addition to third-party delivery.

More Information: doughandarrow.co

Bootleggers Brewery, Fullerton/Costa Mesa/Redlands: Open noon to 8 p.m. for beer to go. Online shop set up for beer orders, delivery.

More Information: bootleggers.beer/

Burnt Crumbs, Huntington Beach/Irvine: Curbside takeout and third-party delivery, with brunch being offered for delivery for the first time. Sister concept Burntzilla has also switched to takeout only, with family meal kits for up to four for $40.

More Information: burntcrumbs.com/burnzilla.com

GameCraft Brewing, Laguna Hills: Delivery and takeout on craft beers in 32-ounce cans, plus menu of pub classics and fusion fare.

To Order: gamecraftbrewing.com

The Habit Burger Grill: Operating for in-store takeout, delivery and drive-thru at select locations.

More Information: habitburger.com

Lazy Dog: Offering takeout and delivery in California. Chain’s restaurants are offering Friends + Family meals for five starting at $25. Lazy Dog Pantry pack, for $40, includes milk, eggs, butter, chicken and toilet paper.

More Information: lazydogrestaurants.com

Luna Rossa, Tustin: Italian restaurant now selling flash-frozen pasta kits.

To Order: (714) 259-0861

Marché Moderne, Newport Beach: Offering takeout for the first time, with an expanded menu and curbside takeout from 12 to 8 p.m. daily. The menu will change daily. OC delivery is $10, with 24-hour advance notice on all orders. Pick-up orders 30% off through March 22.

To Order: (714) 259-0861

The Recess Room, Fountain Valley: Offering free to-go meals to kids up to 18 and adults 65 and older on March 27, 12 to 4 p.m.

To Order: (714) 377-0398

Roba Noodle, Tustin: Free delivery within three miles of Union Market location. Sauces for cooking can also be purchases.

To Order: robanoodle.com

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Tustin: Curbside pick-up at Tustin, La Jolla locations. Select meat cuts will also be available to cook at home.

To Order: (714) 258-7600





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