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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

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.

Financing

Why remodeled restaurants give McDonald's a big advantage right now

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 31, 2023

The Bottom Line: The burger giant remodeled just about all its locations between 2017 and 2020. That has given the company a leg up on competitors at a time when financing is simply not that available.

Financing

McDonald's believes it can grow in Calif.

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 30, 2023

The Bottom Line: Chris Kempczinski, CEO of the burger giant, told analysts that the company’s restaurants will take a cash flow hit when wages are raised in the state, but he calls it an “opportunity.” But for whom?

Financing

Restaurant chains have to work harder to get sales this year

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 30, 2023

The Bottom Line: After “pent-up demand” kept customers coming back in 2022, restaurants have to work harder in 2023 to get customers coming in the door.

Financing

High prices are making it tough for people to pay their bills

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 27, 2023

The Bottom Line: While the economy is going well, the consumer remains stressed by higher prices and they’re having a tougher time paying their bills, according to recent government data.

Financing

Starboard's presentation on Bloomin' Brands is disappointing

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 25, 2023

The Bottom Line: Those hoping for a detailed deck similar to the activist investor’s famous presentation on Darden likely came away wanting.

Financing

Fast-casual automation is the biggest deal in the restaurant industry right now

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 24, 2023

The Bottom Line: The work being done at Chipotle and Sweetgreen could not only change the fast-casual sector, it could change much of fast food.

Financing

Ozempic will have an impact on restaurants, but it could take a while

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 17, 2023

The Bottom Line: Obesity drugs are expected to become increasingly popular over the next two decades, which could impact the way a large number of consumers use restaurants.

Financing

Why are restaurant sales holding up? Credit 'funflation'

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 16, 2023

The Bottom Line: Consumers continue to spend their money on food and entertainment even as the cost for it soars, and they’re spending less on sporting goods and furniture.

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