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

As stock prices tumble, restaurant CEOs start buying

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 06, 2020

CEOs of Papa John’s and Brinker International are among those who have bought stock since Wall Street’s coronavirus-related selloff began in February, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Restaurant bankruptcies are increasing, and more could be on the way

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 04, 2020

A Fitch Ratings report says Steak ‘n Shake and Checkers are at risk in a worsening operating environment, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Why Wendy’s breakfast will work, and why it won’t

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 02, 2020

The chain is a potentially formidable competitor in the mornings, but it has made some compromises, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Are delivery prices too high?

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 27, 2020

Higher menu prices coupled with delivery fees and charges could make this an easy service for consumers to cut back on if the economy turns, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Cracker Barrel has made Sardar Biglari a lot of money

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 24, 2020

RB’s The Bottom Line looks at how much Biglari Holdings has made since its 2011 investment in the family dining chain.

Financing

Was Burger King’s moldy Whopper ad a winner?

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 21, 2020

Or did the chain turn off customers with its photo of a 28-day-old premium sandwich? RB’s The Bottom Line takes a look.

Financing

A huge Pizza Hut franchisee is apparently considering bankruptcy

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 20, 2020

NPC International’s debt has been downgraded as the company has missed interest payments, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Subway works to rebuild its business

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 19, 2020

A management overhaul and major layoffs signal a sense of urgency, but renewed complaints from operators over a new discount show the chain has a ways to go, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing