sales and profits

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 23, 2026

The Bottom Line: The restaurant industry is in its weakest state since the Great Recession, which inflates the meaning of every little impact to sales or profits.

Financing

Why 2025 was another tough year for restaurant chains

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 23, 2026

A Deeper Dive: This week’s episode of the restaurant finance podcast A Deeper Dive features Joe Pawlak, managing principal of Technomic, to talk about the Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.

Premium

Financing

How will high gas prices affect restaurants?

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 09, 2026

The Bottom Line: Oil prices have soared and gas prices are following, which could affect restaurant sales at an otherwise sensitive time. But other issues may be more concerning.

Financing

Subway pulls back on its free sub offer

By Jonathan Maze and Lisa Jennings on Feb. 20, 2026

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the restaurant news discussion podcast also features discussions on Wendy’s and Wingstop, along with the technology companies are buying and data from Technomic.

Financing

How the restaurant industry will fare in 2026

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 18, 2026

A Deeper Dive: Michelle Korsmo, CEO of the National Restaurant Association, joins this week’s episode of the restaurant finance podcast to talk about the group’s State of the Industry Report.

Premium

Financing

Expect more of the same in 2026: A bifurcated economy, slow growth and a lot of uncertainty

By Jonathan Maze and Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 16, 2026

Projections suggest the restaurant industry can expect a better year, buoyed by easier comparisons and tax law changes. But many other factors could inhibit that growth, and not everybody will benefit.

Financing

Dave & Buster's sees some light at the end of a long, dark tunnel

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 10, 2025

The food-and-games chain said that its same-store sales improved as the quarter progressed and into November, sending the company’s stock soaring despite a wider loss and revenue decline.

Operations

The ongoing federal government shutdown is expected to take a toll on some chains

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 20, 2025

After a third quarter that "ended with a whimper," negative sales trends are expected to continue, said one report. Restaurant chains with a big presence in Washington, D.C. will be hit hardest.

Financing