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.

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Why did Cracker Barrel change its CEO one year after its logo controversy?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the family-dining chain’s decision to replace Julie Masino with Dave Deno. Maybe more specifically: We try and make sense of the move.  

Rich Shank from Technomic also discusses Cracker Barrel on Technomic’s Take. 

Jersey Mike’s went public. We examine the offering and what it says about the brand. 

Starbucks’ earnings came out with some strong sales and traffic growth. What does that say about CEO Brian Niccol?

 And as always, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski has Tech Check. 

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What is happening with the pizza sector?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at Domino’s earnings, and what it says about the intense competition for traffic among such chains. We also look at strong restaurant and bar sales from the World Cup.And we examine Cracker Barrel’s sale of Maple Street Biscuit Company as well as the company’s strategy, and what all that means.On the Technomic Talk, Robert Byrne looks at music in restaurants and why it’s important.And Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski has Tech Check.

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How will the cyclospora outbreak affect Taco Bell?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive looks at the cyclospora outbreak, which has now been linked to lettuce from Taylor Farms served at Taco Bell locations. 

We discuss the potential impact on sales and why faith in food safety is crucial.

We also talk about Texas Roadhouse and delivery and whether the chain is making a mistake by ending its long holdout.

And we discuss the Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing the Trump administration to deport people with Temporary Protected Status and why that could be a problem for restaurants. 

On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about a tech company’s Hawaii showroom.

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One of the most successful growth chains in years is going public.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the upcoming initial public offering of the sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s and what that means, both for the company and for the market.

Technomic’s Robert Byrne also talks about Jersey Mike’s and its consumer ratings.

Wonder, the food hall and delivery company, may also go public. We discuss that possible event and its recent fundraise.

We got a look at McDonald’s new prototype and its chicken sandwiches, so that will be a topic this week. 

And Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks tarot on Tech Check.

Just Salad’s newest investor is a champion.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the salad chain’s partnership with Jalen Brunson, a member of the NBA champion New York Knicks. 

We also discuss Red Lobster’s all-you-can-eat shrimp debacle, which is back in the news.

And we talk about our analysis of restaurant sales over the past five years and what that says about the overall state of the industry.

All that plus Tech Check from Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski.

Why is Domino’s changing CEOs?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the retirement of Domino’s CEO Russ Weiner, his replacement Joe Jordan, and what it all means for the company. 

We also talk about the growing competition from convenience-store chains, both for pizza and chicken wings. 

On the Border closed all its restaurants and liquidated, which says a lot about the Mexican full-service business and about restaurants, period.

We talk about Detroit, and our look at the city’s growing restaurant market, profiled in our package, Market Watch: Detroit. 

On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about the return of Zume Pizza.