Restaurant Business Daily

A true business intelligence tool helping operators become more efficient and profitable, Restaurant Business Daily eNewsletter gives restaurateurs tips and tools from RestaurantBusinessOnline.com's most recent postings and from around the web.

Operations

Playing the reservation game

Nancy Kruse and Lisa Jennings discuss restaurant reservation scalpers, cancellation fees and what to do when you can't get into the hottest concept in town.

Financing

Federal prosecutors accuse Andy Wiederhorn of misusing company funds

The chairman of Fatburger owner Fat Brands was accused of engineering a $47 million false loan scheme, draining the company of revenue to the point that it struggled to pay its bills.

The Bottom Line: The salad chain’s stock rose 34% on Friday after sales and profitability were better than expected. The company’s shares are above its IPO price for the first time in two years.

A softer consumer environment is more than offsetting the pizza chain’s boost in marketing in recent weeks. But profitability improved last quarter.

Despite flat traffic for the first quarter, the fast-casual salad chain raised guidance for the year, citing continuing momentum.

The fast-food giant is shifting spending to digital marketing and plans to invest “hundreds of millions” into digital innovation, including new ordering channels, personalization and loyalty.

The Series B funding brings the Enlightened Hospitality Investments total to $17.5 million, which will help the 38-unit chain compete in the crowded cookie segment.

The trade group is calling for changes in disclosure rules before people buy a franchise. It comes as federal regulators examine rules for franchise companies.

A Deeper Dive: This week’s podcast features a discussion on recent restaurant chain earnings reports, including Wingstop, KFC, Popeyes, Chipotle and Starbucks.

But CEO Drew Madsen sees signs of a turnaround, as sales and traffic turned positive in April while the chain works on menu and operations improvements.

  • Page 10