This week on the Extra Serving podcast, a production of Nation’s Restaurant News, NRN editors Holly Petre, Leigh Anne Zinsmeister, Alicia Kelso and Joanna Fantozzi talked about the IPO surge.

On an earlier episode of the podcast, NRN editors predicted that there would be a surge in IPOs following CAVA’s announcement, and it’s proven to be true. In the past week, CAVA released its pricing, FAT Brands teased an IPO for Twin Peaks, and Korean barbecue concept Gen Restaurant Group filed for an IPO. What can we expect in the next few weeks?

Also, the NRN editors talked about the future of pizza robots. On the heels of Zume shutting down operations and Picnic laying off workers, the invention that everyone lauded years ago has seemingly slowed down.

Finally, the editors talked about restaurants supporting Pride. It’s June and restaurant companies are coming out with Pride-themed merchandise, promotions and support. In this tense political environment in which brands are being boycotted for their stances on political issues, some are standing by what they believe in. What strategy will survive in the long term?

This week’s guest is Sean Kennedy, executive vice president, public affairs at the NRAEF. Stay tuned for that episode debuting on Wednesday, June 14.