Casual Dining

Former Panera Bread exec takes the helm at P.F. Chang's

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 23, 2023

Eduardo Luz, Panera's former chief brand and concept officer, was named CEO and president of the 30-year-old casual-dining chain, effective immediately.

Emerging Brands

Bubba's 33 shows it can hang with Texas Roadhouse

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 20, 2023

The fast-growing sports bar chain has been on a traffic tear in recent months, just like its big sibling.

Premium

Operations

TGI Fridays wants to become 'more fun than your phone'

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 20, 2023

After falling into what new CEO Brandon Coleman called a “sea of sameness,” the storied casual-dining brand is betting things like sushi, mocktails and entertainment will help make it relevant again.

Financing

How Starboard Value plans to fix Bloomin' Brands

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 19, 2023

The activist investor wants to improve operations at Outback Steakhouse, put the fun back into its marketing and highlight its growing Brazil business.

Food

TGI Fridays plans to make millions by serving sushi

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 16, 2023

The bar chain has added food from Krispy Rice at 140 locations in a bid to appeal to younger consumers.

Financing

The best-performing malls have this restaurant in common

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 13, 2023

Malls with a Cheesecake Factory are more likely to be current on their loans, according to a Moody’s analysis. But the chain may not be retail's white knight.

Financing

Up to 40 Smokey Bones could become Twin Peaks under new owner

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 09, 2023

Fat Brands, which owns both chains, said the conversions will fuel the 103-unit Twin Peaks as it heads toward a planned 2024 IPO.

Consumer Trends

Want to see how the other half lives? Go to Olive Garden.

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 09, 2023

Full-service restaurant chains are the most socioeconomically diverse places in the U.S., according to new research. It could help them weather a tough economy.

Food