Custom packaging is a brand impression at scale and quality equates to retention for restaurant chains, SupplyCaddy co-founder and CEO Zachary Stein says on this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s Choppin’ It Up podcast. Stein sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how marketing, operations, price and predictability factor into purchasing decisions for foodservice packaging. He also comments on innovation, sustainability and the hidden labor costs restaurants face when managing a fragmented supplier base.

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The way diners are discovering restaurants has shifted away from reviews and to social media, Loop’s co-founder Anand Tumuluru tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Tumuluru sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss changing trends in the restaurant industry, particularly the delivery channel. He also comments on the importance of right-sizing delivery marketing spending and maximizing flow-through on those sales.

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Three out of 10 restaurant customers believe food quality is deteriorating and stores are understaffed, Lisa Miller, founder and president of Lisa W. Miller & Associates tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Miller sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen discuss the state of restaurant spending in the US. Miller also comments on attracting Gen Z customers and getting the most out of Gen Z employees.

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There’s a lot of talk about how soft the consumer is, but our third-party delivery same-store sales are up 50% year over year, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop CEO Jeff Galletly tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Galletly sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and food-service analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company is performing amid soft spending by fast-casual customers, particularly millennial and Gen Z consumers. He also comments on Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s packaged-food business, value approach and a planned reverse takeover.

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If a leader wants to run a business that’s more focused on taking care of its people, he or she has to reflect on their own values and how they embody them, Liberty Ventures Founder and CEO Alexander McCobin tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, McCobin sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the principles of conscious capitalism can help restaurant leaders leverage their values and company culture to achieve greater success. He also comments on the benefits of community, collaboration and creating value for all stakeholders.

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Value is more than just price — you have to give the guests an experience that exceeds their expectations, Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Trenary sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the buffet chain is growing same-store sales in a difficult consumer environment. He also covers operational improvements, managing food costs and weak spending by Hispanic and Gen Z consumers.

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Survey data show third-party delivery ads are hitting a saturation point and 45% of chains expect to invest less in the channel in 2026, Bikky Co-Founder Abhinav Kapur tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of Choppin’ It Up, Kapur sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst, Michael Halen, to discuss the findings of Bikky’s chief marketing officer survey. He also comments on US consumer spending, loyalty promotions, personalization and shrinking marketing budgets.

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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A significant challenge of allergen disclosure is that ingredient information is fragmented and frequently changing, while supply-chain tracking isn’t where it needs to be, Foodini cofounder and COO Erica Anderman tells Bloomberg Intelligence in this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast. Anderman and cofounder and CEO Dylan McDonnell sit down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the impact of California’s new law requiring restaurant chains to disclose major food allergens and how technology can help ease the transition. They also comment on the size of the food-allergy problem, differing regulations around the globe and which states are expected to pass allergy-disclosure legislation next.

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The rubber meets the road in Chipotle restaurants and the whole company is focused on improving operations, Chief Brand Officer Chris Brandt tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Brandt sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to increase traffic and same-store sales. He comments on limited-time offers, Chipotle Rewards, international expansion and the power of influencer marketing.

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The majority of full-time servers and bartenders should see more money in their pockets due to the recently enacted US tax law, TipHaus’ Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Kirk Grogan tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Grogan sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the legislation might affect employees, employers and service models. He also comments on so-called tipflation, fraud and the elimination of the tipped wage in Washington, DC.

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