casual_dining

Financing

Olive Garden gets boost from return of Never Ending Pasta Bowl

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 16, 2022

Sales and traffic improved significantly at the chain as guests came back for the popular promotion.

Leadership

Red Robin COO Michael Buchmeier is leaving the company

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 16, 2022

Buchmeier, who has spent a combined 25 years at the chain, is the latest C-suite departure under new CEO G.J. Hart.

Food

Chili’s streamlined menu upsets some chicken tender fans

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 09, 2022

The chain dropped its Original Chicken Crispers as it works to simplify operations. The more popular Crispy variety is still available.

Financing

Dine Brands believes Fuzzy’s ‘bad-ass’ vibe can work nationwide

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 05, 2022

The parent of Applebee’s and IHOP wants to supercharge the concept’s growth without changing what has worked so far at the 138-unit taco chain.

Leadership

California Pizza Kitchen names new CEO amid C-suite shakeup

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 01, 2022

CEO Jim Hyatt is out, along with longtime culinary chief Brian Sullivan and two others. Board member Jeff Warne was named CEO and president.

Leadership

O'Charley's service provider names new CFO, chief people officer

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 29, 2022

Restaurant Growth Services hired Kara Jacobs as finance chief and promoted Clint Lautenschleger to lead HR. Both previously worked at Cracker Barrel.

Premium

Emerging Brands

Tom Ryan discovers a love for sports bars

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 11, 2022

The Smashburger co-founder and former McDonald’s executive is behind Tom’s Watch Bar, an upgraded sports bar concept that is coming, quickly, to a city near you.

Financing

Applebee’s John Cywinski on the future of casual dining

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 09, 2022

A Deeper Dive: The president of Applebee’s joins the Restaurant Business podcast to discuss the chain’s ability to keep its takeout business even as customers return to dine-in.

Financing