sales and profits

By Jonathan Maze on May 03, 2022

The coffee chain believes it has considerable potential selling food in the afternoons. But it is also pushing more espresso and cold beverages and, naturally, drive-thrus.

Financing

Technomic Top 500 by the numbers

By Restaurant Business Staff on Apr. 08, 2022

Here’s a look at some of the most notable numbers from this year’s Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.

Financing

Big franchises grew their market share during the pandemic

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 04, 2022

Large chains and their franchisees are enjoying strong valuations and record cash flows, according to a new report, and international growth is thriving. But growing in the U.S. could get difficult.

Premium

Financing

Consumers flocked to fine dining restaurants last year

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 29, 2022

The Bottom Line: Among winners and losers during the fourth quarter, fine dining stood out. But strong performances were common as the industry largely recovered its lost sales.

Premium

Financing

Looking for experiences, consumers flock to polished casual restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 24, 2022

The Bottom Line: The Melting Pot had its best year in a decade last year. One reason is consumer demand for get-togethers.

Premium

Financing

For restaurants, higher prices and thinner margins

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 23, 2022

The Bottom Line: Even though operators are raising prices at historically high rates, they are still not capturing their increased costs.

Financing

Chuy’s likes the ROI on thank-you bonuses, pauses at sky-high construction costs

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 18, 2022

The casual chain is pushing back its development schedule because of a 25% spike in costs.

Premium

Financing

The omicron variant interrupts a healthy restaurant sales recovery

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 25, 2022

The Bottom Line: Industry sales were surprisingly strong after a second-half surge. But sales slowed in December after the latest spike in infections.

Financing