Continue to Site >>>
Financing

Cracker Barrel has a tough quarter

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the restaurant news discussion podcast looks at layoffs at Cracker Barrel, Pieology’s bankruptcy filing and a Hardee’s lawsuit. By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 12, 2025

Cracker Barrel’s tough quarter has resulted in some layoffs.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants examines the family-dining chain’s tough quarter and its corporate restructuring, which is resulting in layoffs.

In addition, we discuss the bankruptcy filing of Pieology and what it says about the state of fast-casual pizza chains.

Meanwhile, Hardee’s sued another big franchisee. Why is the burger chain having challenges?

And on Tech Check, Joe talks about his 2026 predictions.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. 

Subscribe on Spotify.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

News  The Week in Restaurants  Bankruptcy 
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.
View All Articles by This Author

Multimedia

Kevin Lee is leading a restaurant renaissance in Oklahoma City

David Burke discusses his new restaurant, SeaHawk Prime, while riffing on food trends

Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group blends front- and back-of-house expertise to deliver what today's diners want

Chef Te'Sean Glass brings life lessons to True Laurel

The Latest

Beverage

Operators make the most of Dry January to up their zero-proof game

Premium
Financing

What restaurant chains are candidates to go private?

Technology

DoorDash and Uber lose bid to pause NYC tipping law

Listen to your daily news: RB PodcastsNew episodes weekdays
Restaurant Daily
A Deeper Dive
Menu Talk
The Week in Restaurants
Working Lunch

More on this Topic

Financing

What restaurant chains are candidates to go private?

Financing

On the bankruptcy of a big Popeyes franchisee

Financing

The restaurant industry has an immigration problem

Financing

New U.S. food pyramid points to Fogo de Chão, CEO says

Financing

Smithfield Foods is buying Nathan's Famous for $450M

Financing

A lot of restaurant chains announced closures last year

Exclusive Content

Financing

What restaurant chains are candidates to go private?

The Bottom Line: With restaurant company valuations low following a tough 2025, several chains could be ripe targets for a takeout, if buyers are up for some risk.

Operations

A year after the Los Angeles fires: One restaurant's story

Duke's Malibu survived the catastrophic wildfires, only to be destroyed by a mudslide weeks later. With reopening finally in sight, here's how this iconic restaurant survived.

Financing

The restaurant industry has an immigration problem

The Bottom Line: The Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement policy is closing restaurants and hurting operators. But that’s nothing compared to the long-term impact it will have on sales and labor costs.

Trending

Beverage

Operators make the most of Dry January to up their zero-proof game

Premium
Financing

What restaurant chains are candidates to go private?

Technology

DoorDash and Uber lose bid to pause NYC tipping law

More from our partners

Jeff’s Bagel Run: How a 26‑Unit Brand is Rewriting the Bagel Experience

Catering to special dietary needs with RATIONAL

Elevate the dining experience and boost loyalty with beloved brand names

Need to cook for 4,000 people a day? These chefs use RATIONAL technology

Vegetarian and Vegan Meals Made Easy with Pre-Cooked, Plant Proteins