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

Why the Barteca acquisition caused Del Frisco’s downfall

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 26, 2019

Rather than give the company long-term growth, it led investors to force a sale and the company’s ultimate breakup, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Retail shops keep shutting their doors

Sep. 24, 2019

Closures by retail chains like Fred’s and GameStop continue a brutal pattern in 2019, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Sweetgreen's latest investment sends its valuation soaring

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 23, 2019

The company raised $150 million and now says it is worth $1.6 billion. That puts the salad chain in rarified air, says RB's The Bottom Line.

Financing

One year in, El Torito’s owner finds surprising results

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 20, 2019

Xperience Restaurant Group, which bought Real Mex out of bankruptcy last year, is generating quicker-than-expected sales growth and is looking for more, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

A noted short seller bets against Grubhub

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 20, 2019

Investor Jim Chanos says that delivery margins are weak and may only get worse as costs rise and fees shrink, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

McDonald’s and Yum Brands prepare for a digital arms race

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 19, 2019

Recent moves show that big companies are intent on pushing their capabilities more aggressively than ever, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

With its doughnut-chicken sandwich, KFC pushes the envelope

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 17, 2019

The chain is testing its latest attention-grabbing product amid fierce competition for consumers’ attention, say RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Fatburger’s owner goes back to the Reg A well

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 16, 2019

Franchise concept collector Fat Brands is refinancing its debt by trying to raise another $30 million from public investors, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing