Jonathan Maze

Editor-in-Chief

Articles by
Jonathan Maze

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Financing

Thinking about dynamic pricing? Tread carefully

Dynamic pricing, also known as surge pricing, is expected to take off in the coming years, thanks to new technology. But customers may not like it.

Financing

California's fast-food bill will affect more companies, but not many

The Bottom Line: Fewer than 200 restaurant chains will be affected by the lowered threshold included in the compromise fast-food legislation.

At FSTEC, franchisors say getting system buy-in on tech means making them part of the decision process. But sometimes you have to say no to new tech, too.

Some operators say they were left out of discussions on a matter that could hurt per-store cash flow by $250,000 in the state. But the company said the deal will protect the franchise model without a costly fight.

The Bottom Line: Some executives of franchise chains are also franchisees. “I feel the pain when I make a decision to bring something in.”

While concepts are adding new digital ordering technology, robots or even AI, executives work to keep their focus on the customer.

Price increases and slowing inflation have combined to improve cash flow among the pizza chain’s operators this year.

The Bottom Line: Fast-food restaurants will have to pay $20 an hour under a compromise reached this week. How will operators pay for it?

The former CEO and chairman emeritus is no longer company director as part of a planned transition. Wei Zhang, former Alibaba senior advisor, will take on the role.

After years of steady decline, the fast-casual brand appears to be in a death spiral of unpaid bills, legal filings and angry customers. Even in a world as forgiving as restaurants, it may be impossible for the chain to come back.

A Deeper Dive: Andy Howard, CEO of the fast-casual chain, joins the podcast to talk about the company’s growth plans and consumer demand for chicken.

The state has lifted its stop-work order, saying that employees have been repaid. Restaurants are expected to reopen this week as deliveries come in.

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