casual_dining

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 10, 2021

The Bottom Line: Valuations for fast-food restaurants have taken off this year. But more lenders, and some operators, believe the future is good for full service.

Financing

Focus on traffic pays off for First Watch

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 09, 2021

A couple of unconventional moves have helped the chain generate some of its best traffic ever.

Leadership

Cracker Barrel names Craig Pommells as CFO

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 08, 2021

Pommells was formerly CFO of Red Lobster and also spent more than a decade at Darden. He is the permanent replacement for retired CFO Jill Golder.

Financing

Sun Holdings buys 131 Applebee’s locations

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 05, 2021

It’s the second major deal for the Dallas-based franchisee, which is buying out one of the casual dining chain’s largest operators.

Premium

Financing

Sardar Biglari, after five proxy vote losses, is still pushing changes at Cracker Barrel

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 05, 2021

The Bottom Line: The investor, who has been rebuffed repeatedly in his efforts to join the company’s board, is now tackling executive bonuses and wants more dividends.

Financing

Applebee's and IHOP are ready to open new restaurants again

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 04, 2021

Parent Dine Brands is winding down a process that led to hundreds of closures over the past several years, and sees fertile ground for growth coming out of the pandemic.

Financing