On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Alicia’s time at Taco Bell’s Live Mas Live event in New York City, where company leaders announced that they would double their menu rollouts in 2025. Sam and Alicia discuss the rarefied air that Taco Bell occupies, where it’s built a cult-like following among younger consumers and can continue to leverage new menu items to build incredible momentum. They also talk about four companies that reported sales results this week: three that turned in a positive performance (Cracker Barrel, Potbelly, El Pollo Loco) and one that did not (Dine Brands). And they tackle Alicia’s recent story on all of the chains that are cutting SKUs from their kitchens, including Starbucks, Papa Johns, and Einstein Bros. In this week’s extra serving, senior editor Ron Ruggless joins to talk about Wendy’s announcement that it planned to add another 1,000 locations, targeting international growth in particular while also appealing to more young and Hispanic consumers. Finally, we share an interview between managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister and Pizza Guys president and CEO Shapour Nejad.

For more on these stories:  

Taco Bell is doubling the pace of its menu innovations this year

Several restaurant chains are reducing the size of their pantries

Cracker Barrel’s comeback continues as same-store sales grow 4.7%

Wendy’s expects to grow to more than 8,000 units by 2028