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The big problem with Red Lobster

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the weekly restaurant news discussion podcast looks at the seafood chain, McDonald’s and Sysco. Technomic also talks about Sweetgreen. By Jonathan Maze and Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 03, 2026

What is the real problem at Red Lobster?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the ongoing challenges at the seafood chain even after emerging from bankruptcy.

We also look at McDonald’s new Under $3 Menu and how much of a discount this new deal actually is. And Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski tells the story of a particular drive-thru record dating back 25 years. 

We also talk about the Sysco-Restaurant Depot deal and its various complications.

Technomic’s Robert Byrne, meanwhile, taps consumer data to help explain what’s going wrong at Sweetgreen.

And Guszkowski looks at robot delivery on Tech Check.

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News  The Week in Restaurants  casual_dining  Technomic 
Restaurant Business Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze is a longtime industry journalist who writes about restaurant finance, mergers and acquisitions and the economy, with a particular focus on quick-service restaurants.
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