casual dining

Talk of the industry this week: On-premise dining

Or at least that was a major theme at the ICR Conference, where three dozen chains aired their strategies and financial results.

Leadership

Story time with Ruth’s Chris CEO Cheryl Henry

The steakhouse chief took a different approach to highlighting her charge’s strategy. Gather around to hear the account.

Leadership

Guy Constant is out at Red Robin

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 07, 2020

The chain’s chief operating officer was terminated without cause. Michael Buchmeier was named his interim replacement.

Financing

Houlihan’s shuts restaurants before joining Landry’s

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 31, 2019

At least 12 were shuttered, including a potential new growth vehicle: Make Room for Truman.

Operations

Famous Dave’s downsizes in a new tech-studded prototype

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 20, 2019

The store is less than half the size of a traditional unit, with an emphasis on the bar and off-premise business.

Operations

Did delivery drive Granite City into bankruptcy?

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 19, 2019

Or was consumers’ abandonment of shopping malls the culprit? Add in heightened competition and you have the perfect storm that tripped up the brand, the chain’s leadership says.

Workforce

LongHorn's labor approach yields 6.7% comp rise, Darden says

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 19, 2019

The casual steak chain outperformed all of its sister operations, largely because of how it handled personnel, its parent company said. Olive Garden's comps rose 1.5%.

Financing

Granite City’s parent files for bankruptcy, blaming e-commerce, delivery

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 17, 2019

The company, which also runs Cadillac Ranch, has already closed seven units and says it has a “stalking horse” bidder willing to pay $7.5 million for the 29-restaurant operation.

Marketing