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Financing

Inflation takes its toll as yet another company files for bankruptcy

 By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 09, 2023

The Bottom Line: The filing by Burger King franchisee Meridian is the fourth major Chapter 11 this year. Other companies are facing problems, too, as margins dwindle.

Food

For First Watch, a year has 5 seasons—and that adds up to a killer LTO strategy

 By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 06, 2023

VP of culinary Shane Schaibly reworked the restaurant chain’s R&D process and menu launch schedule, building sales and guest anticipation.

Operations

Meet a new catering powerhouse named Cracker Barrel

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 03, 2023

The family-dining chain has set a goal of hitting the $100 million sales mark for big to-go orders this summer. As executives attest, so far, so very, very good.

Financing

For Wendy's, keeping pace with competitors is harder than it looks

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 03, 2023

The Bottom Line: The end of the company's Reef Kitchens deal and the cutback in its restaurant count projections highlights the chain's difficulties keeping up with its larger, fast-food rivals.

Financing

Better than Buffets Inc.? That's not saying much

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 02, 2023

The Bottom Line: Sardar Biglari in his letter to shareholders boasted of the cash that Western Sizzlin has generated for Biglari Holdings. His comparison leaves much to be desired.

Financing

Franchises navigate tough waters in their bid for growth

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 02, 2023

For franchises, growth is paramount. But accomplishing that is proving more difficult thanks to rising interest rates, construction costs and labor issues.

Financing

Applebee's President Tony Moralejo says brand will do more for franchisees

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 02, 2023

The franchisor plans to offer aggressive incentives and new prototypes to make opening restaurants more appealing. "We need to do our part," the new leader said.

Operations

Farmesa marks a new era of innovation for Chipotle

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 01, 2023

The "fresh eatery" launched this week in a food hall/ghost kitchen with no consumer-facing presence and little marketing, allowing the company to focus on the food. Will it take off?

Technology

Slice sees no sign of 'pizza fatigue' at mom-and-pops

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 28, 2023

CEO Ilir Sela says small pizzerias are thriving and even taking share from big chains like Domino's, in part thanks to technology.

Financing

Sardar Biglari takes a stake in Jack in the Box

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 27, 2023

The chairman of Biglari Holdings, the owner of Steak n Shake, has acquired 5.5% of the shares in the fast-food chain operator. But the investment is passive, for now.

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