On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including the surge in marketing and value deals from restaurant chains, Chick-fil-A’s biggest marketing campaign ever, and red flags from smaller, regional chains across the U.S. First up is marketing news from across the restaurant industry, as 2026 has already seen high-profile chains like Chipotle push new marketing programs designed to drum up business. These programs include a lot of value deals, and Sam and Alicia discuss the dangers of restaurants pushing too hard into discounting and marketing partnerships, and how it can distract companies from excelling at their core offering. Next up is Chick-fil-A, which is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its original restaurant Dwarf House by rolling out its biggest marketing campaign ever. Alicia, who recently toured Chick-fil-A headquarters in Atlanta, walks through the scope of the campaign and she and Sam talk about how these efforts further solidify Chick-fil-A as a leader in the space. Finally, managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister joins for the “extra serving” portion of the episode to talk about regional restaurant chains and recent closures — from Salad & Go and Houlihan’s, among others — as well as bankruptcies from Compass Coffee and Taste of Belgium.

For more on these stories:

Chipotle continues its marketing barrage, this time with EA Sports

Chick-fil-A is doubling down on its family-focused experiences

Salad and Go to exit Texas and Oklahoma as it closes 32 restaurants

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including the rise in protein menus across the restaurant industry and the news that Sprinkles Cupcakes had shuttered. They also offer their five resolutions for the restaurant industry in 2026. First up is protein, which is surging on menus as more consumers embrace high-protein diets. From Chipotle to CAVA and Shake Shack to Dunkin’, major chains are rolling out new menu items and in some cases entire menus dedicated to protein. Sam and Alicia discuss the trend and what it says about the broader health movement going on in the U.S. Speaking of which, one of the OGs of the 2000s cupcake craze appears to have shuttered its doors; Sam and Alicia unpack the news that Sprinkles Cupcakes was no more. Could this be a sign that hyper-focused concepts serving a limited menu could be a thing of the past? Or is it a broader indictment of the treat industry? Finally, Sam and Alicia offer their five resolutions for the restaurant industry in 2026, from improving four-wall economics to enhancing the hospitality experience.

For more on these stories:

Chipotle launches a High Protein Menu

Sprinkles has closed all its locations

Panera unveils strategic plan to ‘return to its apex’

Katie Laudick perfectly encapsulates Cameron Mitchell's Restaurants' growth-from-within philosophy. She worked her way up from server and HR intern to become the company's chief people officer. She now helps to hire, train, and maintain the company's culture throughout the restaurant group's 6,000 employees and over 70 restaurants, which include Ocean Prime, Del Mar, and Hudson 29. Katie tells guest host Gloria Dawson that a big part of that growth mindset actually stems from Cameron Mitchell's signature 'Yes is the Answer! What is the Question?' philosophy that extends not just to guests but to employees, too.

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Cracker Barrel’s post-logo-change sales slump, Sweetgreen’s introduction of a $10 value bowl, and restaurant trend expectations for the year ahead. First up is Cracker Barrel, which continues to reel after its rebrand and logo change from earlier in the year. Sam and Alicia discuss the latest earnings from Cracker Barrel, which included a sharp decline in traffic and sales. How might Cracker Barrel return to growth? And what can other restaurant chains learn from this whole ordeal? Next up is Sweetgreen, which is also suffering from traffic and sales declines and just announced a new $10 Harvest Bowl LTO — the fast-casual salad chain's first value offer. Sam and Alicia talk about the implications for Sweetgreen and the broader fast-casual category, which has lost momentum in 2025 as consumer behaviors shift. Then they tackle 2026 trends, and particularly a report from Yum! Brands that outlined how the restaurant company expects younger consumers to dine in the year ahead. Sam and Alicia analyze the data and offer their own expectations for what 2026 might hold for restaurants. Finally, senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn sits down with McAlister’s Deli president and chief brand officer Danielle Porto Parra and GoTo Foods corporate executive chef Brock Peek to discuss big changes to the McAlister’s menu. 

For more on these stories:  

Cracker Barrel doubles down on Southern heritage, adds kids’ meal toys amid sales slump

Sweetgreen tackles value perception problem with $10 LTO bowl

Yum Brands trend report shows younger consumers want control of their dining experience

If you regularly dined out in New York City over the last 40 years, you've probably eaten at one of Drew Nieporent's restaurants. He opened nearly 40 of them, mostly in New York. His most well-known restaurant is, of course, Nobu, the restaurant that started the global sushi franchise. However, earlier on, there was Montrachet, a groundbreaking spot in Tribeca that maintained its three-star rating from The New York Times for 21 years. That restaurant location later opened as Bâtard, earning three stars from The Times and two from the Michelin Guide. Then there's Tribeca Grill, which, like Nobu, he opened with partner Robert De Niro, as well as the chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Drew recently looked back on his long and storied career in his book, I'm Not Trying to Be Difficult: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches, which he wrote with food writer Jamie Feldmar. Just as in his book, Drew is candid in his discussion with guest host Gloria Dawson, which touches on everything from the role of the restaurateur to why most reviews no longer matter much and what to look for in a business partner.

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including McDonald’s big win with its Grinch Meal, Subway’s controversial Sub Club revamp, and the trend of restaurant companies pushing more for menu simplicity. First up is McDonald’s new Grinch Meal release, which came with either a Big Mac or 10-piece McNugget, plus “Grinch Salt” McShaker Fries and collectible socks. The promotion, which launched Dec. 2, has been so popular that markets are starting to sell out. Sam and Alicia discuss the promotion and why it struck a chord with consumers. Next up is Subway, which revamped its Sub Club with a deal that offers a free footlong for every three purchased. Franchisees aren’t happy about the deal, which they said hurts profitability. Sam and Alicia are inclined to agree, and break down why a deal like this is tough for Subway of all chains. Then they dig into a story Alicia recently wrote about menu simplicity and why several companies are beginning to pull back after years of innovations and LTOs. Could we be seeing some decision fatigue among consumers especially? Finally, managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister interviews Vishal Patel, cofounder at Tacoria Mexican Street Kitchen. 

For more on these stories:  

McDonald’s brings McShaker Fries to the U.S.

Subway franchisees say the chain's new loyalty program is too aggressive

Why simplicity matters more than ever for restaurants

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Burger King’s menu and marketing shifts, Gen Alpha’s growing importance, and the latest data on fast-food and fast-casual traffic. First up is Burger King, which is rolling out a new campaign — including four new menu items — tied to the film “The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for Squarepants.” The brand also stated its intention to double down on beef where its competitors are pushing further into chicken. What to make of these moves? Sam and Alicia share their thoughts on Burger King’s play for broader demographics and how it could signal a big evolution for the third-largest burger QSR chain. Speaking of demographics, Sam and Alicia next tackle Gen Alpha and how restaurant chains are making a play for their business with promotions tied to trends like “6-7.” Find out why it’s never too soon to build a strategy for the next generation — but also why restaurant companies must be smart of how they connect with younger customers, particularly on digital platforms like social media. Finally, Sam and Alicia discuss new data that suggests quick-service and fast-casual traffic is expected to be slow for the next several months. How might chains react to this reality — and what can they do to differentiate in a “sea of sameness”? 

For more on these stories:  

SpongeBob menu part of Burger King's new marketing strategy

Restaurant brands start speaking Gen Alpha’s language

The fast-casual category is losing steam

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Panera Bread’s plan to reclaim its fast-casual dominance, Jack in the Box’s brutal sales report, and Topgolf’s sale to a private-equity group. First up is Panera, a chain that is considered one of the OGs of fast casual but which has had unremarkable sales growth for at least a decade. New CEO Paul Carbone acknowledged that the chain’s apex was between 2005 and 2011 and laid out a plan for reclaiming that superiority in the coming years. Sam and Alicia discuss the turnaround plan and how Panera can climb to the top of a much more crowded fast-casual field. Next up is Jack in the Box, which endured a brutal 7.4% sales slide in the most recent quarter and which itself has laid out a plan for turning things around. Sam and Alicia sense a trend! Indeed, many restaurant companies have fessed up that things aren’t going to plan and that a change is needed. Why is this the case? And what can restaurants do to return to former glory? Sam and Alicia have ideas. Finally they turn their attention to Topgolf, 60% of which was acquired by private-equity firm Leonard Green for $1.1 billion. The deal takes Topgolf private, which could help the eatertainment concept deal with its own struggles. It isn’t the first restaurant chain to go from public to private this year — Denny’s and Potbelly were also acquired by private companies — and it may not be the last, as rumors swirl that chains like Pizza Hut and Noodles & Co. could be acquisition targets. What do Sam and Alicia make of this movement? Find out on the latest episode of Extra Serving. 

For more on these stories:  

Panera unveils strategic plan to ‘return to its apex’

Jack in the Box charts its recovery after a tough year

Topgolf sold to private equity firm for $1.1 billion

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief SamOches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including (yes, more) updates on beverages and what could happen to the category in 2026, plus the barista strike and “Bearista” bonanza at Starbucks. First, Alicia offers her recap of the recent Restaurant Finance & Development Conference (RFDC), where she says investors seem to be more realistic about the economy and turning their eye toward four-wall growth rather than unit expansion. Then they move the conversation to beverages, discussing what we can expect from the category in 2026. Will it get even crazier? (Short answer: Yes.) Next up is Starbucks, which can’t seem to avoid the headlines lately. That included a barista strike at dozens of locations, which did not seem to disrupt the company’s Red Cup Day but did seem to suggest more issues to address with employees. Meanwhile, the company launched a new “Bearista” beverage container that sold out so quickly that many customers are growling about it online. Is this much ado about nothing or an indication of the company’s continued struggle to reassert itself as the dominant coffee player? Sam and Alicia discuss. Then Alicia weighs in on value offerings from full-service companies and how they could further build momentum particularly among casual-dining chains. Finally, catch an interview between senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn and North Italia’s beverage director, Jon Baer. 

For more on these stories:  

• Why beverages will be even bigger in 2026
• Starbucks responds to the sold-out Bearista cup — a surprise viral merch moment
• How the full-service category is redefining value

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news — and wow was there a lot of it, from M&A moves to a glut of meaningful earnings reports. They start with the M&A headlines, exploring the Denny’s acquisition, Starbucks’ sale of its China business, and Yum’s strategic review of Pizza Hut. What do these moves mean for each respective chain? Sam and Alicia break it down. Then they dive into all of the quarterly earnings reports from the week, of which, by their count, there were 20. That includes a look at casual dining — generally faring positively, with good results from Dine Brands, Texas Roadhouse, and Bloomin’ — as well as fast casual (middling results from CAVA and Wingstop and a disastrous showing by Sweetgreen) and QSR (big winners in Taco Bell and KFC, poor showings from Wendy’s and Pizza Hut). Sam and Alicia talk about the big-picture implications of the quarter and what we might expect from these leading restaurant chains going forward. 

For more on these stories:  

Denny’s acquired by group of investors for approximately $620 million

Yum Brands exploring potential sale of Pizza Hut

Wendy’s to close hundreds of U.S. restaurants