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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

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.

Financing

The pandemic has been good to Checkers

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 06, 2020

The drive-thru restaurant chain has improving sales and wants to expand, says RB’s The Bottom Line. It just has to restructure that debt first.

Financing

Here comes the next wave of chain bankruptcies

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 04, 2020

With leases due, more chains like California Pizza Kitchen could end up filing even as sales increase, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Pizza Hut’s parent company unlikely to buy out NPC International

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 31, 2020

Yum Brands executives commit to the “asset-light” model as they push for a resolution involving the big operator, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Starbucks, Dunkin’ and McDonald’s have a common problem: Fewer commuters

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 31, 2020

The breakfast-heavy chains are adapting to changes in consumer patterns, which may be more permanent than you think, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Will casual-dining chains keep their takeout gains?

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 27, 2020

Early evidence suggests they can, which could be crucial to their future, but it’s still early, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

How many independents will close this year?

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 23, 2020

Estimates vary, but one thing is certain: There will be a lot fewer restaurants by the end of the year, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Restaurant sales are soaring, but full recovery remains a long way off

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 21, 2020

Total industry sales increased 20% last month, but they remain well off pre-COVID-19 levels and uncertainty remains, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

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