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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

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.

Financing

Restaurants’ finances turned south in a hurry

By Jonathan Maze on May 19, 2022

The Bottom Line: Margins were fine last fall as sales recovered. But high food costs on top of high labor costs have done them in. And some concepts are already feeling the pain.

Financing

As grocery prices take off, restaurants’ sales improve

By Jonathan Maze on May 18, 2022

The Bottom Line: Sales at restaurants and bars are now at a higher percentage of Americans’ food dollar than they’ve ever been. They can thank higher grocery prices for that.

Financing

McDonald’s Russia closure is a rare international setback

By Jonathan Maze on May 17, 2022

The Bottom Line: The burger giant has flourished in international markets even as its U.S. growth slowed. But its $1.4 billion decision to pull out of the market demonstrates the risk of global expansion.

Financing

Dutch Bros gets a cold dose of public company reality

By Jonathan Maze on May 13, 2022

The Bottom Line: The drive-thru coffee chain’s sales were weak because of high gas prices and its more conservative pricing decisions. But it hurt the chain’s earnings and its reputation on Wall Street.

Financing

As inflation soars, lower-income consumers slow their restaurant spending

By Jonathan Maze on May 11, 2022

The Bottom Line: Quick-service restaurant executives say they’re seeing fewer visits from people with lower incomes and more visits from those with higher incomes. But that difference may not last for long.

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