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

A look at Papa John’s $8M deal with Shaq

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 17, 2019

RB’s The Bottom Line looks at what it took Papa John’s to land NBA great Shaquille O’Neal as a director and spokesman.

Financing

A lot of restaurant chains are for sale right now

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 14, 2019

Jack’s Family Restaurants and Restaurants Unlimited are both on the block, according to separate reports, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

A big franchisee’s financial challenges puts more pressure on Pizza Hut

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 13, 2019

NPC International, which also owns Wendy’s units, make the pizza chain’s turnaround more difficult, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Chick-fil-A’s gay marriage controversy rises again

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 12, 2019

The chicken chain finds itself unable to break free from its CEO’s comments of seven years ago, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Why a plant-based McDonald’s burger is no slam dunk

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 11, 2019

Even as competitors push meat-free burgers, the product might not be ready for the giant’s domestic market, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Why the retail apocalypse is the main factor in restaurants’ traffic problems

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 10, 2019

The industry will have to adapt to a new reality with fewer shoppers, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Economic fears boost McDonald’s stock

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 07, 2019

The burger chain’s stock hit record highs, in part because of betting that the chain is recession proof, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Perkins & Marie Callender’s reportedly weighing bankruptcy

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 06, 2019

The company is trying to find a buyer, demonstrating the challenges legacy family dining chains are having in the current market, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing