News
Sweetgreen seeks advice from a turnaround expert: Chili's CEO Kevin Hochman
2+ hour, 30+ min ago (882+ words) Sweetgreen sorely needs a turnaround. Sweetgreen's same-store sales fell nearly 13% in the first quarter. It was the sharpest decline since the chain went public in 2021. And it followed a 7. 9% decline for fiscal 2025. Since going public, Sweetgreen has yet to make…...
Red Lobster lawsuit casts Endless Shrimp fiasco in a new light
17+ hour, 26+ min ago (874+ words) Red Lobster's Ultimate Endless Shrimp debacle is something the chain would probably like to forget about at this point. But it just keeps resurfacing. Back in the summer of 2023, the $20, all-you-can-eat offering sparked an $11 million loss for the seafood chain…...
Inside the sale of Hopdoddy Burger Bar
17+ hour, 32+ min ago (229+ words) How did the sale of Hopdoddy come about? This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Jeff Chandler, who is stepping aside as CEO of the fast-casual burger chain following its sale to Founders Table Restaurant…...
The Phone Is the Front Door: Why Multi-Location Restaurant Brands Are Turning Calls Into a Loyalty Engine
1+ day, 2+ hour ago (468+ words) By Ryan Louis, CEO, Revmo AI Or at least it didn't. Every call is a guest announcing themselves at your front door. They tell you who they are, what they want, and when and how they want it. At most…...
This Mediterranean fast casual is turning Americans on to Persian food
1+ day, 2+ hour ago (599+ words) The Mediterranean region covers a vast area, with countries as diverse as Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Italy, and Tunisia contributing to the cuisine. And with over 470 locations across the U. S. , fast-casual Cava has completely familiarized Americans with staples like hummus, feta,…...
The fast-food sandwich business is struggling, and it's not just Subway
1+ day, 2+ hour ago (793+ words) The U. S. consumer still loves sandwiches. What the sandwich looks like and contains can vary, but there is little question that they love themselves some meat, cheese and/or other stuff between two slices of bread. How they get that, on…...
Jinya founder launches Japanese bakery brand
2+ day, 2+ hour ago (620+ words) Tomo Takahashi is not done. The founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based Jinya Holdings is known mostly for the casual-dining Jinya Ramen concept, which has grown to roughly 80 units across the country with the help of franchising. His group, however,…...
Tara Wong showcases old-school cocktails with modern elements
2+ day, 2+ hour ago (271+ words) Tara Wong started working in professional kitchens in Detroit as a teenager around 20 years ago, but when a bartender position opened at a restaurant where she was working, she jumped at the chance to move to the front of the…...
Congress should rethink approach to hemp products, says restaurant association
2+ day, 2+ hour ago (169+ words) In this week's Working Lunch, Joe Kefauver and Franklin Coley of Align Public Strategies speak with Mike Whatley, vice president of state affairs and grassroots advocacy at the National Restaurant Association, who walks through the hemp-product issue. The association has…...
3 food and drink trends spotted at the Summer Fancy Food Show
1+ day, 22+ hour ago (628+ words) Have we reached peak protein yet? Not if the 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show is any indication." The annual expo taking place this week in New York City's Javits Convention Center is filled with 2, 400 companies exhibiting thousands of foods and beverages,…...