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casual_dining

Food

Cheese is melting all over menus, giving sales a solid boost

 By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 04, 2026

It started with Chili’s and those viral cheese pulls. Now other casual-dining chains are cashing in on the allure of ooey, gooey cheese.

Financing

Pizookies continue to fuel a hot streak for BJ's

 By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 26, 2026

The casual-dining chain reported its sixth straight quarter of same-store sales and traffic growth thanks to its signature dessert and better operations.

Financing

Red Robin says its latest turnaround plan is working

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 26, 2026

Efforts to improve traffic and operations appear to be taking hold at the casual-dining chain. Its stock soared Thursday on higher earnings.

Financing

Cheesy burgers power sales for Applebee's

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 25, 2026

The Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger and O-M-Cheeseburger became record sellers for the casual-dining chain, though customers remain cautious overall.

Financing

Outback reports first positive traffic in 4 years, thanks to value meals

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 25, 2026

The steakhouse chain’s Aussie 3-Course menu is bringing in more customers, a sign that the company's turnaround efforts are working.

Financing

Texas Roadhouse hustles to a hot start in 2026

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 19, 2026

Same-store sales are up more than 8% at the casual-dining steakhouse chain through the first seven weeks of the new year, but beef inflation continues to put pressure on profits.

Financing

The Cheesecake Factory posts a rare same-store sales decline

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 18, 2026

Bad weather and a weaker consumer slowed the casual-dining chain at the end of last year. But trends have improved since, and Cheesecake is staying the course.

Financing

Red Lobster could close more restaurants, CEO says

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 11, 2026

The casual-dining seafood chain is reviewing its footprint and could shed dozens of locations as it works to rebound from its 2024 bankruptcy, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Marketing

Restaurants go big, and weird, with Valentine's Day marketing

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 10, 2026

While the holiday has always invited creative promotions, some brands are upping the ante this year. It has produced a few odd couples, like Red Lobster and Vaseline.

Technology

Fogo de Chão launches AI phone system with a familiar voice

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 05, 2026

The Brazilian steakhouse chain tapped “brand matriarch” Selma Oliveira to lend her identity to the AI answering system, which is designed to take some pressure off employees.

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