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earnings

Operations

4 reasons for optimism at Red Robin

 By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 11, 2022

Staffing challenges have slowed the chain’s comeback from COVID. But these underlying trends have the brand feeling good about the future.

Leadership

El Pollo Loco names Laurance Roberts CEO

 By Heather Lalley on Mar. 10, 2022

Roberts has served as interim CEO and CFO since last fall, following the departure of Bernard Acoca, who left to take the top post at Zaxby’s.

Financing

Portillo’s wants to be a ‘price laggard’

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 10, 2022

The fast-casual Italian beef chain, which went public in October, said it looks to take traffic while other brands are taking price. But that doesn’t mean it’s not raising prices at all.

Operations

Potbelly outlines its big growth goals

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 03, 2022

The 443-unit fast-casual sandwich chain said it intends to grow to 2,000 locations in the next decade and become a largely franchised operation.

Financing

For Sweetgreen, margins remain a big hurdle

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 03, 2022

The fast-casual, in its first earnings report as a public company, said it expects its first-quarter restaurant-level margins to be between 10% and 11% despite growing sales.

Technology

Applebee’s and IHOP are getting a high-tech makeover

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 02, 2022

Parent Dine Brands is investing heavily in new POS systems, a loyalty program and other technology, which it views as key to long-term growth.

Financing

Wendy’s buys 93 restaurants in Florida for $128M

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 01, 2022

The purchase, which closed in December, came as restaurant margins thinned due to rising labor and commodity costs.

Financing

Domino’s is having a hard time finding delivery drivers

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 01, 2022

The pizza chain offered a bleak assessment of its labor issues so far this year. It is also raising the price of its “Mix and Match” offer to $6.99 for delivery customers.

Financing

Steak n Shake turns a profit and its CEO compares himself to Michelangelo

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 28, 2022

The burger chain generated a profit for the first time in four years last year thanks to its move to counter service, eliciting Sardar Biglari’s comparison to the Italian sculptor.

Financing

Soaring costs take a big bite out of Burger King franchisee Carrols’ already thin margins

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 25, 2022

The 1,000-unit franchisee’s adjusted EBITDA margin was more than cut in half last quarter thanks to labor and beef cost inflation. It is reducing its 10-piece chicken nuggets to eight.

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