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Operations

Chef Michael White is happy to fly under the radar and let his teams and restaurants soar

 By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 26, 2025

The award-winning chef and partner behind a multitude of high-profile Italian restaurants purposely avoids the limelight, preferring to power his people with the tools, skills and voice to be the stars.

Food

McAlister's Deli loads potatoes with bold toppings to keep spud fans coming back

 By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 24, 2025

Behind the Menu: Giant Spuds have been a center-of-the-plate signature at the fast casual for over 30 years, with 22 toppings on the menu to choose from and new limited-time offers to explore.

Financing

Was Cracker Barrel’s redesigned logo worth all that?

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 24, 2025

The Bottom Line: The family-dining chain had been outperforming its competitors and the broader full-service sector, until a social-media uproar tanked it all. But some of the loudest critics had clear agendas.

Emerging Brands

Lodge Bread Company takes on the challenge of scaling sourdough

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 23, 2025

This Los Angeles bakery cafe got its start in a (probably illegal) carport kitchen. Now a seasoned investor is helping to bring naturally leavened bread to new neighborhoods.

Financing

The growth trap

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 22, 2025

The Bottom Line: In this edition of the weekly restaurant finance newsletter, we look at the challenges of aggressive growth. Also, McDonald's tip-credit issue and Number of the Week.

Technology

Why balancing tech and hospitality won't be easy

By Joe Guszkowski on Sep. 22, 2025

Tech Check: More restaurants are investing in the human side of dining again. But staffing, training and a big generation gap are making things complicated.

Financing

In Pinstripes, another dark mark for restaurant chain SPAC mergers

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 22, 2025

The Bottom Line: The bowling-and-bocce chain is the second company to file for bankruptcy shortly after merging with a SPAC. The mergers’ track record with restaurants is weak.

Financing

McDonald's makes strange bedfellows with its tip-credit blowup

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 19, 2025

The Bottom Line: McDonald’s decision to take on the tip credit, and then say nothing else, has generated heavy criticism and a lot of questions. Why would it take on this topic right now?

Financing

Smashburger wants customers to come back to its restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 19, 2025

The fast-casual burger chain has undergone a lot of changes in recent years and relied too heavily on third-party delivery. Now, following a strong "Summer of Smash," the Denver-based chain hopes its turnaround has begun.

Financing

In Salad and Go, another example of a brand that grew too fast

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 18, 2025

The Bottom Line: The drive-thru salad concept is closing stores and letting go of workers shortly after opening them, joining a long, unfortunate list of fast-growth brands that flame out.

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