sales and profits

First Watch sees price-sensitive consumers trading down from delivery

By Peter Romeo on May 02, 2023

Chain officials say the high prices of third-party services are driving patrons to dine on-site.

Here's how many restaurants Subway closed last year

By Jonathan Maze on May 01, 2023

The fast-food sandwich giant slowed its rate of closures in 2022 but still shuttered 571 U.S. restaurants. It has the lowest number of restaurants since 2005.

Operations

Denny's embraces new ways of broadening its customer base

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 14, 2023

The diner chain is trying a number of initiatives to keep its core business fresh and growing. Meanwhile, its parent is getting ready to expand Keke's.

Financing

Subway says its sales grew again last year

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 02, 2023

Average unit volumes are higher than they’ve been in a decade and the sandwich chain says the number of closures has slowed, too. And more changes are coming.

Premium

Financing

Subway wants the world to eat a lot more sandwiches

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 02, 2023

The fast-food sandwich chain wants to add 24,000 international restaurants to catch up with other quick-service brands. But the company is also pushing big changes to grow its U.S. business.

Financing

Restaurants want to do more business in less space

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 01, 2023

Inflation is driving up the cost of operating a restaurant, making efficiency more important than ever. So chains are shrinking the size of their restaurants and reorganizing their kitchens.

Financing

Why 2023 will be a year of weaker sales and higher margins

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 30, 2023

Fitch Ratings expects modest restaurant growth this year. But recent price increases and an improving inflationary environment should help with profits.

Financing