earnings

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.

Sysco says it passed along a 13.4% cost spike to customers with little pushback

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 09, 2021

The distribution giant told Wall Street that it also made progress in fulfilling customers' orders despite product outages.

Financing

Fast-casual earnings roundup: El Pollo Loco, Potbelly, Rave

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 05, 2021

Some smaller fast-casual chains continue to struggle with pandemic recovery, with urban locations remaining especially slow to pick up.

Marketing

How the viral song ‘Fancy Like’ rocked Applebee’s summer

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 05, 2021

The Walker Hayes hit about eating Bourbon Street Steak and Oreo Shakes generated lots of attention for the chain, as well as some of its most popular advertising ever.

Financing

Papa John’s sales accelerate even as more normalcy returns

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 04, 2021

The pizza chain's sales improved in September as consumers order more stuffed crust pizzas and Papadias while watching sports and entertainment.

Premium

Financing

How Papa John’s use of third-party delivery proved to be a winner

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 04, 2021

The Bottom Line: The pizza chain’s sales have remained strong despite the labor shortage. Its ability to get help from aggregators like DoorDash and Uber Eats is one reason.

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

Shake Shack is almost getting back to 2019 growth

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 04, 2021

The fast casual’s same-store sales remained down significantly over 2019, but have improved in October, with suburban restaurants soaring above all others.

Financing