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Technology

The tech buzz at RLC was all about personalization

 By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 17, 2025

Tech Check: Restaurants clearly want to make their digital customers feel seen, judging by conversations at the Restaurant Leadership Conference this week. It’s what consumers say they want, too, but will it work?

Financing

Franchising can put brands at a disadvantage in a market like this

 By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 17, 2025

The Bottom Line: Restaurant chains like &pizza and MOD Pizza continue to turn to franchising to reinvigorate growth or save dying concepts. But there are huge disadvantages when consumers are cutting back.

Technology

How drive-thru AI made a believer out of Taco John's CEO Heather Neary

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 17, 2025

The leader of the fast-food chain was skeptical of the technology when she joined the company last year. Now she hopes to bring it chainwide.

Financing

The great shift: Consumers voted with their feet last year

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 16, 2025

The Bottom Line: Restaurant customers shifted away from more traditional concepts to those they felt provided better quality and service. Was this brought on by economic challenges or is it part of a long-term industry reconfiguration?

Food

New brunch menu at fast-casual La Madeleine is packed with full-service style

By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 14, 2025

Behind the Menu: The Dallas-based bakery cafe offers fresh takes on brunch classics along with original creations, all with a touch of French flair.

Financing

From wobbly tables to record sales: How listening to managers fueled Chili’s comeback

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 11, 2025

The Bottom Line: Chili’s CEO Kevin Hochman transformed an old bar-and-grill chain by engaging with restaurant managers and addressing operational challenges.

Emerging Brands

Forget Ozempic. In the U.S., there's a bakery boom

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 11, 2025

It's a good time for artisan croissants, pan dulce and bombolone. Bakery concepts big and small see plenty of opportunity for growth.

Financing

Chili's former sister chains have had an unfortunate history

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 10, 2025

The Bottom Line: Years ago, Brinker International sold Corner Bakery, Macaroni Grill and On the Border. All three have landed in bankruptcy, some in spectacular fashion.

Emerging Brands

SeoulSpice is fast-casual gateway to Korean culture

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 09, 2025

South Korean flavors have been trending for years. This fast-casual concept brings from-scratch authenticity and private-equity backing to the race in an attempt to create a nation of "Seoulmates."

Financing

The problem with whole business securitizations

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 09, 2025

The Bottom Line: The bankruptcy filings at Hooters and TGI Fridays show that the market can promote some risky behavior while leaving executives with fewer options to build sales during tough times.

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