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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

Sardar Biglari buys another oil company

 By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 28, 2022

The Bottom Line: Biglari Holdings, which owns Steak n Shake and other holdings, spent $80 million to acquire a majority of shares in Abraxas Petroleum Corp.

Financing

As MOD Pizza can attest, the market for IPOs remains frozen

 By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 28, 2022

The Bottom Line: The number of offerings this year has plunged, thanks largely to market volatility and weak performance among last year’s IPOs.

Financing

No, owning a franchise is not a ‘low-risk’ business

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 27, 2022

The Bottom Line: It’s worth reminding that franchise ownership is no less risky than operating an independent business, and here’s why.

Financing

As the economy slows, some restaurants will feel more pain than others

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 22, 2022

The Bottom Line: The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday and signaled more to come. The impact of its actions won’t be spread evenly.

Financing

The Fed sneezes and restaurant stocks get a cold

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 22, 2022

The Bottom Line: Shares of restaurants were hit hard on Thursday as the Federal Reserve plans more rate hikes. It’s been a tough year for the sector, overall.

Financing

Why Yum Brands could acquire another restaurant chain

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 20, 2022

The Bottom Line: The CFO for the owner of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit said the company is “always scanning opportunities.”

Financing

Signs of a weakening consumer continue to appear

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 16, 2022

The Bottom Line: FedEx's CEO told CNBC that his company’s numbers “don’t portend well” for the economy. More analysts are also predicting a slower holiday spending season.

Financing

Are high grocery prices helping restaurants? Maybe

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 15, 2022

The Bottom Line: Sales at restaurants and bars have been outpacing that of retail for much of the year. Prices may be playing a role, but it’s not entirely clear.

Financing

Here’s a look at all the changes Starbucks has made since Howard Schultz came back

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 14, 2022

The Bottom Line: The coffee giant has changed top executives and its operating structure, increased pay and benefits, and promises major new equipment upgrades. Here’s a rundown.

Financing

Burger King tries a unique incentive to get franchisees to remodel

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 13, 2022

The Bottom Line: Lost amid the burger chain’s $400 million investment is a shift in its incentive structure it believes could improve the frequency and quality of remodels.

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