How is Chipotle going to lift itself out of its sales slump?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the sales challenges Chipotle had last week and how the fast-casual burrito chain plans to lift itself out of its slump. 

We talk about Pizza Hut, which is closing 250 locations, as well as another Yum Brands-owned chain, Habit Burger. 

And a big Subway franchisee filed for bankruptcy after using merchant cash advance financing. We discuss that issue. 

On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about vibe coding. 

For more on this year's Restaurant Leadership Conference: https://informaconnect.com/restaurant-leadership-conference/?utm_source=skot&utm_medium=radio&utm_campaign=rlc26

Two casual-dining chains are on two very different trajectories. 

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the performance of Chili’s, which had another strong quarter. 

And we compare that with Ruby Tuesday, which is facing a social media backlash after firing a manager on Christmas.

We also talk about Starbucks, which reported 4% same-store sales growth last quarter. The company also announced changes to its loyalty program, bringing back tiers—though customers will lose the double points they get when they spend funds loaded on their Starbucks cards.

Fat Brands also filed for bankruptcy, and we explain why that was inevitable.

On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about analog.

For more on this year's Restaurant Leadership Conference: https://informaconnect.com/restaurant-leadership-conference/?utm_source=skot&utm_medium=radio&utm_campaign=rlc26

A big Popeyes franchisee files for bankruptcy and tests the company’s leadership.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the bankruptcy filing of Sailormen, a 130-unit franchisee based in Miami. What does it say about the state of Popeyes? 

The burger business appears to be doing just fine, at least at some chains. We’ll talk about that. 

We also talk about what chains should go public and a couple that could go private this year.

In addition, Senior Technology Editor Joe Guszkowski discusses the future of Olo.

Learn more about the Restaurant Leadership Conference in April: https://informaconnect.com/restaurant-leadership-conference/?utm_source=skot&utm_medium=radio&utm_campaign=rlc26

2026 will be another challenging year, but restaurants are ready.

That was one takeaway from the annual ICR investor conference held earlier this week in Orlando. 

On this week's episode of The Week in Restaurants, we talk about other happenings at the conference, including a much-anticipated presentation by Fat Brands.

We also talk about Dutch Bros' acquisition of Clutch Cafe and what it means for the coffee industry. And we look at how Minneapolis restaurants are responding to a surge of ICE activity following the deadly shooting of Renee Good.

On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks about a new idea for bringing down delivery costs.

More Salad and Go locations are Salad and Gone.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants examines the drive-thru salad chain, which closed its remaining locations in Texas and Oklahoma. We discuss why that concept has struggled. 

We also talk about protein. A dozen restaurant chains have introduced new protein items this week. What’s behind that trend and is it a fad? 

Some notable Fat Brands executives just got some retention bonuses and raises we’ll examine that particular bit of news. 

Later on in Tech Check, Joe talks about a fake Reddit post.

What were the biggest stories of 2025?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants should probably be renamed The Year in Restaurants. 

We discuss the biggest stories of the year. We talk about the industry’s value war. Challenges in the fast-casual sector. The Hooters bankruptcy. And the impact of immigration on the industry. 

And as always, Senior Technology Editor Joe Guszkowski talks technology on Tech Check.

Cracker Barrel’s tough quarter has resulted in some layoffs.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants examines the family-dining chain’s tough quarter and its corporate restructuring, which is resulting in layoffs.

In addition, we discuss the bankruptcy filing of Pieology and what it says about the state of fast-casual pizza chains.

Meanwhile, Hardee’s sued another big franchisee. Why is the burger chain having challenges?

And on Tech Check, Joe talks about his 2026 predictions.

Subway has a new loyalty program, but it is too generous?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at Subway’s new Sub Club loyalty program, which gives users one free footlong sandwich with the purchase of three. Franchisees say it’s too generous and piles on too many discounts. 

We also look at Noodles & Company, which has taken numerous steps to right its ship but is still being pushed to sell company restaurants. 

Fat Brands, meanwhile, continues to struggle under the weight of heavy debt and received another demand for full payment of its debt. 

And on Tech Check this week, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski discusses Black Friday. 

Panera Bread is hoping better food and service will help it rise again.

On this episode of The Week in Restaurants, the weekly news discussion podcast from Restaurant Business, we talk about the new turnaround plan at the fast-casual bakery/cafe chain after years of declines.

We also discuss the latest developments at Cracker Barrel, where shareholders backed CEO Julie Masino but ousted a board member over its recent logo debacle. 

And we dig into Sweetgreen’s new protein-packed Power Max Protein Bowl and its shocking price tag. 

On Tech Check, Senior Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about how restaurants can ease customer concerns over AI. 

This week’s episode of the restaurant news discussion podcast looks at challenges in the fast-casual sector, Starbucks’ holiday sales and takeaways from RFDC.