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Financing

The job market is stumbling and gas prices are soaring

 By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 06, 2026

Employers, including restaurants, cut jobs last month. Oil prices are soaring and gas prices are going with them, potentially adding another challenge for operators during a sensitive period for the industry.

Financing

For Minnesota's restaurants, another economic nightmare

 By Jonathan Maze and Lisa Jennings on Feb. 09, 2026

The full picture of the economic devastation of the Department of Homeland Security's Operation Metro Surge is just now coming into view. But efforts are building to help restaurants.

Financing

Bob Evans is acquired by private-equity firm 4x4

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 05, 2026

The 400-unit family-dining chain had been owned by Golden Gate Capital since 2017. Its new owner is planning long-term growth.

Financing

Study: Weight-loss drug users spend less on fast food

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 07, 2026

A study from Bain & company found that users of GLP-1 medications spend 5% less on fast food. That could be a sales challenge as more Americans start using the drugs.

Financing

Romano's Macaroni Grill has closed more than half of its restaurants this year

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 02, 2025

The Italian casual-dining chain is now down to just nine locations, continuing a steep decline for the brand since the pandemic. But its problems started long before that.

Financing

This is a pivotal time for the U.S. restaurant industry, here and abroad

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 25, 2025

The restaurant industry faces pressure all over the world, including consumer changes and threats to the economic model. Operators are responding with a lot of innovation and technology.

Financing

Fast-food sales are weak, even as overall restaurant sales thrive

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 25, 2025

Restaurant sales were strong in September, according to new federal data. But same-store sales and traffic at fast-food chains continued to be weak last quarter and consumer confidence is low.

Financing

At Starbucks, reusable cups prove to be a traffic boon

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 13, 2025

The coffee shop chain's traffic surged following the sale of its "Bearista" cold cup, while its "Red Cup Day" promotion is generating better-than-expected results.

Financing

Did McDonald's price cuts work? It's complicated

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 10, 2025

McDonald's Extra Value Meals campaign with 5% lower prices hasn't reversed declining foot traffic, with visits down 3-5% post-launch as value wars intensify across fast-food chains struggling with low-income consumer pullback.

Financing

Where are fast-food customers going? Check out the grocery store

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 22, 2025

Consumers may be visiting value-focused retail chains like Aldi and Dollar Tree rather than McDonald’s. And fast-casual brands may be losing customers to retail, too, according to Placer.ai data.

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