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casual_dining

Leadership

Twin Peaks owner hires full-service veteran Kim Boerema as CEO

 By Joe Guszkowski on May 15, 2025

Boerema replaces Joe Hummel as chief of casual-dining company Twin Hospitality Group, which went public earlier this year.

Financing

Texas Roadhouse rebounds after an uneven start to the year

 By Joe Guszkowski on May 09, 2025

Winter weather hampered the casual-dining chain in February, but business has picked up since, allaying concerns about a weaker steak consumer.

Financing

Pappasito's Cantina owner to acquire On the Border out of bankruptcy

By Joe Guszkowski on May 08, 2025

The deal would nearly double the footprint of Houston-based Pappas Restaurants and give it the second-largest Mexican casual-dining chain in the country.

Financing

Applebee's new traffic-driving strategy was on the menu all along

By Joe Guszkowski on May 07, 2025

The casual-dining chain has tried a few different tactics, including a $10 meal deal, to jumpstart traffic. But after talking to customers, it’s circling back to a longtime favorite, the 2 for $25 deal.

Financing

Outback Steakhouse looks to fix its value perception

By Joe Guszkowski on May 07, 2025

The casual-dining chain’s prices and service have not measured up to competitors’, executives said. It is working to change that as traffic continues to slide.

Leadership

Chili's sales are booming. Why Applebee's CEO says that's a good thing

By Lisa Jennings on May 02, 2025

Dine Brands CEO John Peyton gives archrival Chili's kudos for bringing Gen Z back to casual dining. But in the bar-and-grill horse race, Peyton is betting on Applebee's to nose ahead.

Financing

Viral secret menu item gives BJ's Restaurants a boost

By Joe Guszkowski on May 02, 2025

Sales of the off-menu Pizookie Platter spiked 17x after the shareable dish went viral on TikTok. It contributed to a 2.7% traffic increase at the casual-dining chain last quarter.

Financing

Chili's sales surge for a second straight quarter

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 29, 2025

Same-store sales soared 31.6% at the casual-dining chain as it continued to ride the success of its value meals, Triple Dipper platters and operational improvements. Now the question is how it will top its recent hot streak.

Operations

Wine concepts were the surprise toast of casual dining last year

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 28, 2025

Despite a nationwide slump in wine sales, wine-centric casual-dining chains like Sixty Vines and Postino are booming. Here’s their recipe for success.

Financing

Bertucci's files for bankruptcy for the third time

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 24, 2025

The Italian casual-dining chain has been shrinking for years. It plans to refocus its efforts on a new fast-casual format, Bertucci's Pronto.

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