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Food

Taco Bell taps into snacking trend with Mini Taco Salad

 By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 04, 2026

Behind the Menu: The Mexican fast-food chain refreshed the format and flavor of its classic Fiesta Taco Salad to launch as part of its new Luxe Value Menu.

Financing

Why are so many big companies using merchant cash advances?

 By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 03, 2026

The Bottom Line: Two large franchisees blamed merchant cash advances on their recent bankruptcy filings and Fat Brands used it at least once. But the funds are expensive and dangerous.

Leadership

Why Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler thinks it's a good time for better-burger brands

By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 03, 2026

The fast-casual chain is planning to accelerate growth after growing traffic during a difficult 2025.

Financing

Was Pizza Hut's shift away from full service a mistake? It's complicated

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 02, 2026

The Bottom Line: The pizza chain’s shift from a full-service model to takeout and delivery was the biggest service model shift in restaurant industry history. But it has not spurred the growth for which the company hoped.

Financing

A tale of two casual-dining chains

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 02, 2026

The Bottom Line: This week’s episode of the restaurant finance newsletter contrasts news about Chili’s and rival Ruby Tuesday, which are going in different directions.

Technology

How a restaurant tech startup is born these days

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 02, 2026

Tech Check: AI has lowered the barrier of entry for software development. Now, restaurant tech products can come from anywhere—even high schoolers.

Financing

Starbucks' focus on its in-café experience isn't just about its dine-in customers

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 30, 2026

The Bottom Line: Most of the coffee chain’s customers still come into its shops, even if they have no intention of sticking around. That makes it important for those shops to be inviting.

Technology

As third-party delivery booms, some restaurants pump the brakes

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 30, 2026

Many operators say they are trying to reduce their reliance on services like DoorDash and Uber Eats as they look to improve their profit margins. But the apps can be difficult to quit.

Technology

Amazon’s grocery retreat is a warning to restaurants chasing full automation

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 29, 2026

Retail Watch: The retail giant is closing all of its Amazon Fresh grocery stores and Amazon Go convenience stores. It’s a lesson that technology can’t replace human interaction.

Beverage

A wine bar where the bottles do the talking

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 28, 2026

Behind the Menu: Emmy Lou’s in Charlotte is half bottle shop, half restaurant, where the retail shelves work as the wine list and the food is much more than an afterthought.

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