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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

Will the fourth time be the charm for Sardar Biglari?

 By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 25, 2020

RB’s The Bottom Line looks at the Steak ‘n Shake owner’s fourth attempt for a seat on the Cracker Barrel board.

Financing

Why Fast Acquisition Corp. believes it can make a fast deal

 By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 21, 2020

The blank-check company featuring Ruby Tuesday founder Sandy Beall and a host of &pizza veterans believes its experienced team gives it an advantage, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Here comes another restaurant SPAC

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 20, 2020

Sandy Beall, Doug Jacob and Kevin Reddy lead a group of industry veterans that formed a $200 million acquisition company, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Consumers are still spending at restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 20, 2020

Sales turned positive last week for the first time since March, according to Facteus, despite the loss of stimulus payments. RB’s The Bottom Line has one possible explanation.

Financing

Five chains that are winning during the pandemic

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 19, 2020

RB’s The Bottom Line looks at five chains that have been particularly successful at navigating the quarantine.

Financing

How one tweet changed the restaurant industry

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 19, 2020

One year later, Popeyes’ post on its chicken sandwich has proven to be a singular event in the industry’s history, pushing it to a poultry-centric future, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Investor behind Papa John’s comeback forms a SPAC

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 18, 2020

Starboard Value, which also overhauled the board at Darden Restaurants, has filed for a $300 million blank-check company, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

No, publicly traded chains are not on the verge of bankruptcy

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 17, 2020

The largest chains’ risk of default has decreased in recent weeks, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Suddenly, there are not enough restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 14, 2020

Large numbers of closures have drained much of the industry’s supply, even as demand has remained strong, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Tim Hortons struggles while Popeyes surges

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 06, 2020

The chains, both owned by Restaurant Brands International, demonstrate divergent consumer and market shifts during the pandemic, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

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