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casual dining

Consumer Trends

How to update the kids’ menu with current foodservice trends

How can restaurants appeal to the growing number of diners interested in family dining? Here’s a few ideas for inspiration.

Operations

Cheesecake Factory sets timetable for new growth concepts

Social Monk, an Asian fast casual, is scheduled to open next week, with North Italia set to be acquired in Q3 and Flower Child in 2021.

Financing

Quaker Steak & Lube is winning with small-footprint units

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 13, 2019

Three years after filing for bankruptcy protection, the casual-dining chain is finding smaller units can work wonders.

Operations

Topgolf jumps aboard the esports bandwagon

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 05, 2019

The Dallas-based chain announced a partnership with Super League Gaming to bring events to its locations.

Financing

Are lower profits for casual dining the new normal?

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 30, 2019

Chili’s lower margins freaked out Wall Street, RB’s The Bottom Line says, but that might be more common in the future.

Financing

Kona Grill’s quick fall from grace

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 11, 2019

Overly aggressive unit growth proved to be the company's undoing, says RB's The Bottom Line.

Financing

Report says P.F. Chang’s to be sold to investment firms

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 11, 2019

TriArtisan Capital Partners and Paulson & Co. will buy the Asian casual-dining chain from Centerbridge, according to Bloomberg.

Leadership

Marcus Jundt named sole CEO of Kona Grill

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 10, 2019

Steve Schussler, who had been co-CEO, resigned to focus on his existing restaurants.

Leadership

Seenu Kasturi named CEO of Arc Group

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 09, 2019

Richard Akam will remain as COO of the owner of Dick’s Wings and Tilted Kilt.

Financing

J.H. Whitney Capital buys Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 08, 2019

The 48-unit polished-casual chain has been on a steady growth path.