The Week in Restaurants

Subway is facing another challenge.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the bribery scandal involving the Independent Purchasing Cooperative, Subway’s nonprofit purchasing co-op.

Starbucks may purchase Chipotle? We talk about that bit of news and how likely such a deal is, or is not. 

True Food Kitchen filed for bankruptcy. We discuss that issue, why it filed, and whether it was a surprise.

Souplantation may well rise again in California. We talk about that. 

And Joe Guszkowski talks Uber-ezCater on Tech Check.

A cookie giant is crumbling.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at our investigation into closures and layoffs at Crumbl. 

TGI Fridays is expanding again and we discuss the opportunities at the casual-dining chain. 

DoorDash has a new tool for its restaurant customers. We discuss how that will work and whether the third-party delivery provider is getting too powerful.

We also talk about Diafa, the Abu Dhabi-based company looking to dominate the world of luxury restaurants. And on Tech Check Joe Guszkowski talks about restaurant tech companies combatting a tough economic environment. 

Will McDonald’s latest aggressive move work? 

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the Investor Day presentation at the fast-food giant, which announced $8.5 billion in investments behind its “Next” program. We will discuss that move and what it can do for the restaurant chain. 

Darden earnings came out this week and we will discuss how Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, and the brand’s other chains are performing.

The episode was also recorded at our FSTEC conference and we talk about what we heard during the event. 

On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks more. About FSTEC.

LeBron James has scored another restaurant investment.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the basketball star’s investment in Mike’s Red Tacos, his latest in a string of investments in restaurant chains. 

DoorDash is investing in the delivery food hall Wonder. We discuss that while trying to figure out exactly what Wonder is. 

Papa Johns is adding “coaches” to help with brand standards. We talk about that interesting trend and why restaurant chains are marketing it.

Technomic Talk this week is about the impact of GLP-1 use on restaurants. And on Tech Check Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about AI and point-of-sale systems. 

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Another casual-dining chain has shut down.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the closure of O’Charley’s, which has closed its corporate stores, leaving about four franchisee-owned units. 

We also discuss Jersey Mike’s first earnings call as a public company. The sandwich chain’s stock soared after the company said transactions were increasing and the company is boosting spending on digital marketing.

We also look back at two years of Brian Niccol at Starbucks.

On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks Walmart delivery. 

Can Domino’s new menu item be a big winner? 

In this week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants, we look at The Domino, Domino’s new, single-serve, Detroit-style pizza. Is it too expensive? And what does that mean for the pizza chain’s future?

Walmart, meanwhile, is getting into the restaurant delivery business, thanks to a new deal with Dunkin’. We’ll discuss what that means. 

And 7 Brew won the Salad and Go sites after Dutch Bros opted not to increase its bid. We discuss what kind of impact that will have on the drive-thru coffee war. 

On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks about the next restaurant tech company IPO. 

Can you really prevent what just happened to Texas Roadhouse? 

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at an online hoax involving the casual-dining steak chain, and whether any company can effectively prevent such issues.  

Independent restaurants are apparently doing better than you think. We’ll discuss what that means for both local restaurants and national brands.

McDonald’s franchisees are worried about their profitability after years of discounts just as the company is about to ask for remodels. We’ll talk about that issue.

On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks “vibe coding,” whatever that means. 

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Just when you thought it was safe to go to restaurants, there’s this: Bagels are making a comeback.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the planned expansion of Einstein Bros. Bagels and what that says about the latest bagel boom. 

We also talk, again, about Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp and whether its second comeback in four months is a good idea. 

We also discuss the latest executive change at Wendy’s, what it says about the brand and why it’s been struggling.

On Technomic Talk, Robert Byrne discusses the loss of low-income consumers at Wendy’s and Burger King. 

And Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about InKind on Tech Check.

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Why is Subway taking a stand on closures?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the latest controversy involving Subway, which is making it harder for franchisees to close stores. It is also about to make a big push on late-night hours.

There’s a lot more to the Salad and Go story, as 7 Brew and Dutch Bros are fighting over sites. We’ll talk about that.

Chili’s reported another quarter of strong sales. We’ll talk about what makes the brand tick.

On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks Google.

On Technomic Talks, David Henkes talks beverages.

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Why did Salad and Go shut down?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurant looks at the closure of Salad and Go, which filed for bankruptcy and closed its remaining locations, selling many of the leases to Dutch Bros.

Thai Union, the former owner of Red Lobster, defended its role in the infamous Endless Shrimp promotion. 

McDonald’s had a landmark quarter, and not for good reasons. We discuss that. 

In addition, pour one for Boston Market, and C-level AI executives on Tech Check.

Join us at FSTEC 2026!⁠ https://informaconnect.com/fstec/?utm_source=content&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fstec26&utm_content=podcasts⁠