The Week in Restaurants

The third quarter ended with a whimper for restaurant chains.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at what we’re expecting to hear from the various segments within the industry as third-quarter reports are revealed.

We also talk about the Trump Administration’s aggressive deportation efforts and how that has impacted the industry nationwide.

And Joe Guszkowski talks tipping on Tech Check.

Del Taco is getting a new owner.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the $115 million sale of Del Taco by Jack in the Box, just four years after Jack bought the Mexican chain for a lot more than that. 

In addition, Waymo is getting into delivery. We discuss what this means for the restaurant industry and the future of delivery. 

Domino’s had some fascinating things to say this week about the restaurant industry. Get ready for more depressing news.

In addition, Joe Guszkowski has Tech Check.

Here comes more restaurant rebrands.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the rebrands at Domino’s and Long John Silver’s, and what those rebrands mean for the companies. 

Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski also talks about rebrands later in the podcast on Tech Check.

Speaking of marketing, Wendy’s hired a consulting firm run by a very interesting former industry executive. 

You can now get delivery from ChatGPT. That is a particularly notable event in the restaurant industry.

And some thoughts on Chi-Chi’s.

A slowing economy is adding to the restaurant industry’s woes.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants examines the state of the economy, with a weakening labor market and heavy deal-seeking by consumers. 

We also look again at Starbucks’ closures, and what they say about the state of the chain right now. 

In addition, we discuss the evolving strategy of the delivery provider DoorDash, which is getting into the in-store business for restaurants. Is the company getting too powerful?

All that and Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks POS system.

Starbucks is closing stores and cutting more jobs. 

On this episode of The Week in Restaurants, Restaurant Business Senior Editor Joe Guszkowski and Executive Editor Lisa Jennings break down some juicy news, including those latest Starbucks moves.

They also discuss a stealthy new beverage concept from Chick-fil-A, and give a quick review of some of the new drinks at McDonald's.

Also, they dig into why Portillo’s made a change at CEO.

On Tech Check, Joe talks about tech, hospitality and Starbucks.

Another growth chain is de-growing.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Businss podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the 41 restaurant closures of Salad and Go, which is more than a quarter of the drive-thru chain’s locations. We discuss why the chain is closing those locations. 

We also talk Cracker Barrel, which gave us a peek at the fallout from their rebranding blowup. 

US Foods and Performance Food Group may well try a merger. We talk about whether that has any real chance. 

All that plus an FSTEC wrapup on this week’s Tech Check. 

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On this week’s episode of The Week in Restaurants, we discuss the surprising sale of Potbelly to RaceTrac, and why it is a sign of the growing competition between restaurants and c-stores.

We also talk about Portillo’s, which is slowing development plans and ditching breakfast as it looks to focus on the fundamentals at its restaurants. 

And we get into some new data on restaurant delivery, prepared exclusively for Restaurant Business by Intouch Insight. In short, restaurants may be losing their pricing power over third-party delivery apps. 

On Tech Check, it’s a preview of what to look for at the FSTEC conference next week. 

Anybody want to buy some Noodles?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the potential sale process at Noodles & Company, which has not quite fulfilled the promise it had when it went public more than a decade ago. 

We also talk about closures at Smokey Bones and what that says about the chain, and about the barbecue sector. 

In addition, we talk about McDonald’s value war. In addition, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks AI. 

Is this Cracker Barrel logo saga finally over?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business news discussion podcast The Week in Restaurants examines the apparent resolution of the Cracker Barrel branding issue. The family-dining chain opted to go back to the old logo. Will it quell the firestorm?

We also look at “slop bowls,” and whether the bowl boom is over. Or whether it’s just beginning. And what is a slop bowl, anyway. 

We also talk about Taco Bell and its marketing, and why it works so well. 

On Tech Check, Senior Technology Editor Joe Guszkowski talks mergers and acquisitions. 

Expect the value wars to last a few more months.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at McDonald’s plan to cut the prices of its bundled meals to 15% off the cost of the items individually. We talk about why that will lengthen the value wars. 

Bravo Brio filed for bankruptcy. Why are some full-service chains going bankrupt and others are reporting 30% comps?

Cracker Barrel is in hot water with conservatives over its logo. We’ll talk about what all that means. 

Also, casual dining and takeout on Tech Check, and an FSTEC preview.