On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss two trends that have already made themselves known in the early days of 2025: value menus and beverage innovation. How might these two trends influence the restaurant industry in the year ahead? And how can restaurants put value menus to work for them without getting stuck with discounted prices? Plus they discuss Noodles & Co., which received a warning from NASDAQ that it would be delisted if it could not get its stock price above $1 per share. Find out what Alicia and Sam think is the brand’s biggest problem. Finally, senior editor Joanna Fantozzi joins for this week’s extra serving to discuss White Castle’s French Toast Sliders and what role breakfast might play in restaurant growth this year. 

For more on these stories:  

Del Taco rings in the New Year with new value offerings

Noodles & Company receives delisting warning  

White Castle brings French Toast Sliders back in the New Year