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The Bottom Line

Jonathan Maze The Bottom Line

Restaurant Business Executive Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze is a longtime industry journalist who writes about restaurant finance, mergers and acquisitions and the economy, with a particular focus on quick-service restaurants. He writes daily about the factors influencing the operating environment, including labor and food costs and various industry trends such as technology and delivery.

Jonathan has been widely quoted in media publications such as the New York Times and the Washington Post and has appeared on CNBC, Yahoo Finance and NPR. He writes a weekly finance-focused newsletter for Restaurant Business, The Bottom Line, and is the host of the weekly podcast “A Deeper Dive.”

Financing

The Subway saga takes another turn

 By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 27, 2023

The Bottom Line: Just when we thought the massive deal was set to go through, the feds stepped in to have their say.

Financing

Third-party delivery alters the pizza landscape

 By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 21, 2023

The Bottom Line: Major pizza chains, notably Domino’s, have lost some valuable customers to companies like DoorDash.

Financing

Retailers are bracing for a tough few months. Restaurateurs should heed the warning

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 21, 2023

The Bottom Line: Large retailers are concerned about a softening consumer and already see evidence that is happening. But restaurant executives seem far more optimistic.

Financing

Welcome to a tough new normal

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 16, 2023

The Bottom Line: Attendees and speakers painted an anxious picture of the operating environment at the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference. Here’s why that might be here for a while.

Financing

Remodels are a source of sales, and tension, in franchise systems

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 16, 2023

The Bottom Line: Remodel requirements can be vital for brands to generate sales. But they can create financial problems for franchisees when not done right.

Financing

The Royal Crispy Wraps have apparently been a boon for Burger King

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 13, 2023

The Bottom Line: The fast-food chain introduced the product in August and, according to its largest franchisee, the product has sold well. But it’s also simple to operate.

Financing

Winners and losers from a weird quarter

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 10, 2023

The Bottom Line: Burger King operator Carrols, Cava and Wingstop were the big winners. But there were plenty of concepts that would rather have that one back.

Financing

The pandemic is not yet done with restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 09, 2023

The Bottom Line: A rash of bankruptcy filings shows that small brands and franchisees continue to deal with the aftermath of the pandemic, three and a half years later.

Financing

When it comes to restaurant traffic, 'flat' is the new 'up'

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 07, 2023

The Bottom Line: Negative transactions are so common that restaurant brands are thrilled simply not to lose customers. That could be a bigger challenge going forward.

Financing

McDonald's and Yum Brands take an optimistic view of oncoming regulations

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 06, 2023

The Bottom Line: The CEOs of the franchise giants decried the NLRB’s joint employer ruling but said that their brands have the strength to overcome them, anyway.

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