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Fast_Casual

Financing

An activist investor apparently sets its sights on Shake Shack

 By Jonathan Maze on May 15, 2023

The Bottom Line: Engaged Capital, the same activist that took on Del Frisco’s and Jamba, is now targeting the fast-casual burger chain. But what would it do differently?

Operations

Will Panda Express be the first $10B 'mom-and-pop'?

 By Lisa Jennings on May 12, 2023

Still run by its founders after 40 years, the fast-casual chain dominates its category and sees plenty of runway ahead.

Financing

After strong recent openings, Portillo's hints at bigger ambitions

By Joe Guszkowski on May 04, 2023

The hot dog chain said it is considering restaurants in airports and overseas after finding surprisingly strong demand in new markets.

Operations

To order or not to order in the drive-thru lane

By Lisa Jennings on May 01, 2023

Pickup-only drive-thrus are faster, but Velvet Taco found it was losing guests who wanted to order from their cars. The chain has redesigned its drive-thrus to accommodate different types of users.

Financing

The CEO of Ruby Tuesday files a lawsuit over the sale of Fuzzy's Taco Shop

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 25, 2023

Shawn Lederman filed a lawsuit against the chains’ former owner, NRD Capital, arguing he is owed $1 million from the sale of the taco chain.

Financing

How Smashburger is rethinking the drive-thru

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 19, 2023

A Deeper Dive: Carl Bachmann, the brand’s president, joins the podcast to discuss the company’s growth plans and its decision to shift to its mobile-order “virtual” drive-thrus.

Financing

Potbelly has apparently started the year off more strongly than expected

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 11, 2023

The Chicago-based sandwich chain said its same-store sales and profitability will easily beat expectations this quarter.

Financing

Raising Cane's wants to be a Top 10 brand by 2030. Don't bet against it

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 07, 2023

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual chicken fingers chain believes it can become one of the country’s biggest restaurant concepts in a short period. It took some key steps this week to get there.

Financing

An interview with Firehouse Subs President Mike Hancock

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 05, 2023

A Deeper Dive: The sandwich chain’s top executive joins the podcast to discuss his views of the brand and strategies for its upcoming expansion. And he talks about why Tim Hortons is so popular in Canada.

Operations

Chipotle sues Sweetgreen in burrito bowl trademark battle

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 05, 2023

The two fast-casual rivals are facing off over a chicken burrito bowl, during the week of National Burrito Day.

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