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A slowing economy is taking its toll on restaurants

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the restaurant news discussion podcast looks at the labor market, heavy discounting, DoorDash’s plans and more on Starbucks’ closures. By Jonathan Maze and Lisa Jennings on Oct. 03, 2025

A slowing economy is adding to the restaurant industry’s woes.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants examines the state of the economy, with a weakening labor market and heavy deal-seeking by consumers. 

We also look again at Starbucks’ closures, and what they say about the state of the chain right now. 

In addition, we discuss the evolving strategy of the delivery provider DoorDash, which is getting into the in-store business for restaurants. Is the company getting too powerful?

All that and Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks POS system.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. 

Subscribe on Spotify.

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The Week in Restaurants  News  economy 
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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