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Casual Dining

Financing

Carrabba’s has become 'a whole new business' for Bloomin'

 By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 18, 2022

Off-premise is booming at the 219-unit chain, but executives want to see it keep growing before airing major development plans.

Financing

Chuy’s likes the ROI on thank-you bonuses, pauses at sky-high construction costs

 By Peter Romeo on Feb. 18, 2022

The casual chain is pushing back its development schedule because of a 25% spike in costs.

Financing

BJ’s recovery snatched away by omicron

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 18, 2022

The chain was hit harder than most by the COVID-19 variant in December and January, when an “unprecedented” number of its workers got sick.

Leadership

BJ's operations chief Lon Ledwith to retire

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 17, 2022

Ledwith will step down in May after 18 years with the chain. He'll be replaced by SVP of Operations Christopher Pinsak.

Financing

The Cheesecake Factory expects $12M AUVs in 2022

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 17, 2022

Strong sales paired with higher prices have the chain set up for a big year, executives said.

Operations

Smokey Bones is opening a drive-thru

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 14, 2022

The 61-unit chain says it will be the first casual-dining brand in the U.S. to have one.

Marketing

Dave & Buster’s inks deal to broadcast UFC events

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 10, 2022

The food-and-games chain partnered with the mixed martial arts organization to show all of the matches in its bars nationwide.

Financing

Brinker buys 37 Chili's from franchisee Quality Dining Inc.

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 03, 2022

The restaurants are in six states in the Great Lakes and Northeast markets. The deal continues Brinker's strategy of operating more of its own stores.

Financing

Brinker's happy holidays end on sour omicron note

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 02, 2022

The variant led to staffing headaches at Chili’s and Maggiano’s in January, putting a kink in their comeback from COVID.

Financing

People still want to eat inside restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 01, 2022

The Bottom Line: National Restaurant Association survey data shows customers have more “pent-up demand” for dining in restaurants than getting takeout.

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