Restaurant Business

Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation's Restaurant News.

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A Deeper Dive

"A Deeper Dive" is a weekly podcast from Restaurant Business dedicated to going in-depth on the most pressing challenges and opportunities restaurant operators face today, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze.

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Menu Talk

“Menu Talk”, formally Menu Feed, is a weekly podcast hosted by Pat Cobe of Restaurant Business and Bret Thorn with Nation’s Restaurant News.

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The Week in Restaurants

What's happening in the restaurant industry this week, with a discussion on the week's biggest news and topics, along with technology trends and other issues.

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Working Lunch

Working Lunch is a podcast from Align Public Strategies devoted to explaining the so what and now what about key issues impacting the restaurant and retail industries.

Exclusive Content

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Technology

This restaurant tech company just raised $3M from its own customers

Tech Check: Nearly a dozen operators invested in Ovation, a customer feedback specialist. Could it be a new blueprint for tech funding?

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Financing

Wendy's again proves the difficulty of breaking into breakfast

The Bottom Line: The fast-food chain, which debuted the morning daypart in 2020, is giving operators the ability to stop serving breakfast following a brutal 2025.

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Consumer Trends

Can Chipotle get its higher-income diners to stick around?

Retail watch: The fast-casual burrito chain can take some lessons from discount retailers that have also seen an influx of wealthier consumers.

COVID: 5 Years Later

Future 50 2025

Top 500 Chains 2025

RB Quarterly Q3 2025: The Technomic Top 500

50 Great Ideas of 2025

The impact of AI in the restaurant industry

Financing

Dutch Bros' acquisition of Clutch Coffee wasn't its first deal, and won't be its last

The drive-thru beverage chain is always looking for conversion opportunities as it pushes its rapid expansion strategy. The company wants 2,029 restaurants by 2029.

Leadership

Magnolia Bakery has a new CEO and other restaurant executive moves

Executive Summary: Here are the latest leadership changes in the restaurant industry.

Technology

Tech giant Toast is coming for the drive-thru

One out of every five small restaurants uses Toast, and now the company is targeting fast-food chains with the launch of its first drive-thru product this year.

Financing

Wendy's sales plunged last quarter

The fast-food chain’s U.S. same-store sales fell 11.3%, the worst sales result in at least 20 years, as the brand took a step back in 2025. The company is closing restaurants and easing breakfast hours at some locations.

Consumer Trends

How consumers really feel about protein and fiber

The two nutrients are getting a lot of play on social media. Restaurants should pay more attention, according to recent research.

Financing

Why Red Lobster may close more restaurants

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the weekly restaurant news discussion podcast looks at Red Lobster, McDonald’s earnings and the Fat Brands bankruptcy.

Financing

Popeyes sales took a hit last quarter

The chicken chain’s same-store sales declined 4.9% in the U.S. last quarter, but sister chain Burger King’s same-store sales rose 2.6%.

Top 100 Independents 2025

It’s a tough time for restaurants of all sizes. But some independent operators keep showing their resilience, making Restaurant Business’ annual ranking of the 100 top-grossing independent restaurants. This year’s list boasts 19 new names, as well as many stalwarts, all with a focus on putting people first.

Special Reports

Buzzworthy Brands

Resources

Restaurant Business Migration

Featured News

Tech giant Toast is coming for the drive-thru

Recent Stories

The chef behind the only Turkish restaurant in Hawaii

Seafood makes a splash on menus in time for Lent

Wendy's again proves the difficulty of breaking into breakfast

This restaurant tech company just raised $3M from its own customers

They grew and sold Dave's Hot Chicken. Next up: birria tacos

Chipotle to borrow from casual dining with test of Happier Hour

The president of Burger King is giving customers his phone number

Can Chipotle get its higher-income diners to stick around?

Wendy's again proves the difficulty of breaking into breakfast

Can Chipotle get its higher-income diners to stick around?

How consumers really feel about protein and fiber