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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

To Starbucks’ next CEO: good luck

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 07, 2022

The Bottom Line: The job is one of the industry’s most visible and lucrative positions, but it comes with a big caveat, as the previous chief executive found out.

Financing

Sardar Biglari calls for the ouster of Cracker Barrel’s CEO

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 06, 2022

The Bottom Line: The owner of Steak n Shake, who has tried and failed repeatedly to get on the Cracker Barrel board or get it to pay a higher dividend, wants Sandra Cochran replaced.

Financing

Yum Brands still has high hopes for Habit Burger

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 03, 2022

The Bottom Line: The fast-food operator bought the fast-casual burger chain in 2020, just before the world changed. But CEO David Gibbs says the concept has been its “biggest success story.”

Financing

The restaurant revolution will come in small changes

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 02, 2022

The Bottom Line: The fast-food restaurant of the future is coming quickly through small changes that are evolving the business into one focused more on production and efficiency.

Financing

At Taco Bell, the Mexican Pizza comes, and then goes

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 02, 2022

The Bottom Line: The Mexican chain started running out of supplies two weeks after the product’s reintroduction. The shortage says much about modern supply chain issues, and marketing.

Financing

Here is what Nelson Peltz should do with Wendy’s

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 01, 2022

The Bottom Line: The company’s longtime largest shareholder may try to buy the whole chain. But the company could consider a merger. Here are a few of our ideas.

Financing

Inflation taking its toll on some consumers, but not others

By Jonathan Maze on May 26, 2022

The Bottom Line: On Thursday, Macy’s said its consumers were fine, while Burlington said its consumers were not, showing that inflation is first taking its toll on lower-income customers.

Financing

Wendy’s, with Nelson Peltz pulling the strings, missed the consolidation boat

By Jonathan Maze on May 25, 2022

The Bottom Line: The burger chain tried operating other brands and then sold them to focus on its core brand. But that may not be doing the company any favors on Wall Street.

Financing

How independent operators can keep pace with rapidly changing technology

By Jonathan Maze on May 23, 2022

The Bottom Line: The National Restaurant Association Show displayed some of the latest gadgets to improve efficiency and reach more customers. But can those that need it most afford it?

Financing

Howard Schultz puts some money into Starbucks

By Jonathan Maze on May 20, 2022

The Bottom Line: The interim CEO, who did away with company buybacks, has been buying up shares of the company’s stock and now owns 21.8 million shares directly or indirectly.

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