In this week’s episode of Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam and executive editor Alicia Kelso recap the CREATE and Investment Summit events, which brought emerging restaurateurs together in Nashville to network, exchange ideas, and explore financing opportunities. Plus, the McDonald’s/Krispy Kreme partnership is expanding to Chicago this week with a goal of becoming nationwide by the end of 2026. The partnership began in Alicia’s home market of Louisville, Ky., and she has thoughts on the bigger rollout. The two editors discuss some silver linings appearing in the restaurant industry amid an otherwise challenging year, including the pricing gap between grocery stores and restaurant menus shrinking a bit and a robust jobs report. Finally, senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn joins the discussion to explain why there are suddenly so many restaurants featuring SpongeBob SquarePants-themed menu items. 

For more on the Investment Summit, check out this recap. For more on the Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s partnership, click here. And to understand the SpongeBob menu proliferation, click here.