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

Companies are getting more aggressive on labor

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 01, 2019

Technology and bigger bonuses have become more common as costs continue to increase, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Are activist offers for Red Robin and J. Alexander’s fair?

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 27, 2019

RB’s The Bottom Line compares proposals for the two casual-dining operators to previous restaurant chain transactions.

Financing

A look behind Fat Brands’ purchase of Elevation Burger

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 25, 2019

The purchase price was $10 million. The reality is far more complicated, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Coffee chains dip their toes into delivery

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 24, 2019

Starbucks and Dunkin’ are both promising more beverage delivery, says RB’s The Bottom Line. Will it work?

Financing

Does Chick-fil-A’s growth have a ceiling?

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 19, 2019

RB’s The Bottom Line looks at what it would take for the chicken concept to overtake McDonald’s and Starbucks to be the country’s largest restaurant chain.

Financing