finance

At Raising Cane's, strong financial performance with a bit of risk

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 31, 2023

The fast-casual chicken tenders chain has thrived coming out of the pandemic with strong sales, traffic and earnings. But it spends a lot on growth, according to bond ratings agencies, and its menu is a risk.

Financing

A small Florida chain files for bankruptcy and blames the pandemic

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 31, 2023

Icebox Cafe, which operates four restaurants plus some vending machines, said dealings with “aggressive lenders” had a role in its filing.

Emerging Brands

PopUp Bagels raises $8M for expansion

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 24, 2023

This "rip-and-dip" bagel concept has backing from celebs like Paul Rudd, J.J. Watt, Darren Rovell and movie producer John Davis.

Financing

How Starboard Value plans to fix Bloomin' Brands

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 19, 2023

The activist investor wants to improve operations at Outback Steakhouse, put the fun back into its marketing and highlight its growing Brazil business.

Financing

The owner of Wagamama is being sold to a private equity firm

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 12, 2023

The Restaurant Group, the U.K. company that owns the Asian concept, is being sold to Apollo Global Management for $623 million.

Financing

Ron Shaich on why Cava deserved to be a public company

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 11, 2023

A Deeper Dive: The Panera Bread founder, restaurant investor and chairman of Cava joins the podcast to talk about a wide range of issues, including activism and why Panera has no large competitor.

Financing

These are the restaurant stocks investors are betting against the most right now

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 11, 2023

Dutch Bros, Red Robin and Sweetgreen are the most “shorted” restaurant stocks, according to a Raymond James analyst, and more investors are betting against fast food.

Premium

Financing

Restaurant stocks take a hit

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 05, 2023

The Bottom Line: After a strong start to 2023, industry stocks have taken a hit more recently as Wall Street worries about the consumer and higher interest rates.

Financing