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Casual Dining

Financing

Casual-dining growth turns asset-heavy

 By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 19, 2021

Companies like Chili’s and Texas Roadhouse are buying back franchises in a reversal of the refranchising approach that has held sway for decades.

Financing

Fogo de Chao is going public again

 By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 17, 2021

The 60-unit Brazilian steakhouse chain filed for an IPO on Wednesday, three years after being taken private. It reported strong unit economics coming out of the pandemic.

Financing

Fogo de Chao roared back from the pandemic and into an IPO

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 17, 2021

Customers apparently couldn’t wait to get back to the Brazilian steakhouse chain this year, resulting in eye-popping sales growth.

Food

Applebee's adds Cheetos-flavored wings to the menu

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 15, 2021

The limited-time items are the same as some of the ones offered by the chain's virtual brand, Cosmic Wings.

Emerging Brands

Inside fast-growing food-and-games concept Puttshack

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 15, 2021

The mini golf eatertainment brand, which opened its second U.S. store early this month, is slated to open five more locations next year after securing a $60 million investment last spring.

Operations

Why BBQ Holdings wants its breweries to serve breakfast

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 11, 2021

The company plans to co-brand the Granite City and Village Inn concepts to squeeze more revenue out of the breweries. And the mixing and matching doesn't stop there.

Operations

Ghost kitchens unlock big-city real estate for casual dining

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 11, 2021

Chains like Cracker Barrel and Chili’s are using small-format kitchens to go places they couldn’t before.

Financing

As staffing goes, so goes Red Robin

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 11, 2021

Sales at the burger chain returned to 2019 levels, and labor improvements are driving further growth.

Emerging Brands

Savory Fund invests in boozy brunch chain Hash Kitchen

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 10, 2021

The Arizona-based casual-dining concept will use the funding to grow from five units to 30 over the next four years.

Financing

Why casual-dining chains may be a good investment bet

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 10, 2021

The Bottom Line: Valuations for fast-food restaurants have taken off this year. But more lenders, and some operators, believe the future is good for full service.

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