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Joe Guszkowski

Senior Editor

Articles by
Joe Guszkowski

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Financing

After solid year, First Watch approaches 2026 with caution

Sensing an uncertain consumer, the family-dining chain is holding off on price increases and investing in digital marketing and a new menu to help drive traffic.

Technology

Consumers are sending a signal on tech. Restaurants should listen

Tech Check: Balancing tech and hospitality is an ongoing challenge for operators. Recent data shows that the scales may be getting out of whack.

Technology

Why DoorDash isn't afraid of AI shopping agents

The delivery giant doesn’t think agentic chatbots can replicate all the things it does. “We're going to be the best place to solve the end-to-end job for customers,” CEO Tony Xu said.

Financing

Texas Roadhouse hustles to a hot start in 2026

Same-store sales are up more than 8% at the casual-dining steakhouse chain through the first seven weeks of the new year, but beef inflation continues to put pressure on profits.

Financing

The Cheesecake Factory posts a rare same-store sales decline

Bad weather and a weaker consumer slowed the casual-dining chain at the end of last year. But trends have improved since, and Cheesecake is staying the course.

Technology

This restaurant tech company just raised $3M from its own customers

Tech Check: Nearly a dozen operators invested in Ovation, a customer feedback specialist. Could it be a new blueprint for tech funding?

Financing

Why Red Lobster may close more restaurants

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the weekly restaurant news discussion podcast looks at Red Lobster, McDonald’s earnings and the Fat Brands bankruptcy.

Technology

Tech giant Toast is coming for the drive-thru

One out of every five small restaurants uses Toast, and now the company is targeting fast-food chains with the launch of its first drive-thru product this year.

Technology

Restaurants want to give customers more tech

Six in 10 operators plan to invest in tech that will improve the customer experience, according to a National Restaurant Association survey. Customers may have other priorities.

Leadership

Portillo's names Brett Patterson as new CEO

Patterson, a full-service dining veteran, replaces interim chief Michael Miles at the fast-casual hot dog chain that is going through a reset.

Financing

Red Lobster could close more restaurants, CEO says

The casual-dining seafood chain is reviewing its footprint and could shed dozens of locations as it works to rebound from its 2024 bankruptcy, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Financing

Chipotle works to correct misleading reports about pricing

The fast-casual burrito chain is not raising prices because of wealthier diners, the company said, but it does plan to focus more on those customers.

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