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casual_dining

Financing

Cracker Barrel gets back to pre-COVID form—sort of

 By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 23, 2021

The chain’s same-store sales are back to status quo thanks to better staffing. But the underlying business looks a bit different.

Food

Texas Roadhouse now sells steak online

 By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 22, 2021

Customers can order ready-to-grill meats from its newly unveiled Butcher Shop website.

Financing

Fat Brands is buying Native Grill & Wings for $20M

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 22, 2021

The owner of Johnny Rockets and Twin Peaks is making its fourth deal this year with the acquisition of its third chicken wing chain.

Financing

Casual-dining growth turns asset-heavy

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 19, 2021

Companies like Chili’s and Texas Roadhouse are buying back franchises in a reversal of the refranchising approach that has held sway for decades.

Financing

Fogo de Chao roared back from the pandemic and into an IPO

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 17, 2021

Customers apparently couldn’t wait to get back to the Brazilian steakhouse chain this year, resulting in eye-popping sales growth.

Emerging Brands

Famous Toastery had to slow down before it could speed up

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 16, 2021

The fast-growing breakfast-and-lunch chain took a step back to focus on existing franchisees, and the move has paid off.

Food

Applebee's adds Cheetos-flavored wings to the menu

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 15, 2021

The limited-time items are the same as some of the ones offered by the chain's virtual brand, Cosmic Wings.

Operations

Inside the great catering comeback of 2021

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 11, 2021

As workers return to their offices and the holiday season gets underway, restaurants in every segment are ramping up catering programs to feed increased demand.

Financing

As staffing goes, so goes Red Robin

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 11, 2021

Sales at the burger chain returned to 2019 levels, and labor improvements are driving further growth.

Emerging Brands

Savory Fund invests in boozy brunch chain Hash Kitchen

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 10, 2021

The Arizona-based casual-dining concept will use the funding to grow from five units to 30 over the next four years.

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