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

Unique model earns Cooper’s Hawk a big payday

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 19, 2019

The chain’s sale to Ares Management shows again that companies rethinking the restaurant business can fetch strong valuations, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Burger chains face a growing affordability problem

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 18, 2019

As fast-food chains up their quality, prices increase, and customers might think twice, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Big winner in Chipotle’s stock surge? Steve Ells

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 16, 2019

The value of the company founder’s stock holdings is up $167 million since he decided to step down as CEO, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Chipotle and Shake Shack lead restaurant stocks

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 15, 2019

The industry’s performance on Wall Street has lagged overall, but fast-casual and QSR stocks have done well, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

McDonald’s turns on its delivery marketing

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 12, 2019

The burger giant is more aggressively advertising the service. It will be a big test of its ability to deliver traffic, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

How grocers’ rotisserie chickens hurt Boston Market

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 10, 2019

RB’s The Bottom Line looks at the chain’s infamous history and long decline as consumers get their meal replacements elsewhere.

Financing

With the sale market dry, more chains turn to bankruptcy

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 09, 2019

The filing by Restaurants Unlimited shows that some companies have little choice but to seek court help so they can be sold, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing