Jonathan Maze

Editor-in-Chief

Articles by
Jonathan Maze

Page 34
Leadership

Pokeworks promotes Regina Cheung to CEO

The 60-unit chain’s former CFO will take the helm as it plots its growth outside the U.S. for the first time.

Operations

Dickey’s put a restaurant up for sale. Its franchisee was surprised

The fast casual’s franchisees say they’re struggling with its price restrictions, coupled with high costs. And one operator says the barbecue chain put her store on the market without her knowledge.

A Deeper Dive: Michael Goldberg, CEO of Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, joins the podcast to talk about his chain’s growth strategy, including its use of second-generation restaurants, including closed Subways.

Papa Murphy’s, Baskin-Robbins and Burger King are among the chains that closed the most net restaurants last year. But one big chain stands out.

The Bottom Line: Consumers could easily shift into value mode as they start repaying student loans and run out of pandemic cash. But that doesn’t mean you should start slashing prices.

The burger chain is planning a “strategic refranchising program,” refranchising restaurants in certain markets to operators that then build more locations.

The former Kitchen United chief executive will become the first CEO in in the Pasadena, Calif.-based chain’s history.

The Bottom Line: The 22-year-old private equity firm has been involved in many of the industry’s biggest deals, especially in recent years. And Subway isn’t even the biggest.

The Bottom Line: The lengthy sale process and the apparent deal terms in Roark Capital’s winning bid reveal just how difficult a turnaround the sandwich giant is.

The private equity firm, which owns Inspire Brands and Focus Brands among other restaurant companies, won an eight-month auction for the sandwich giant.

The Bottom Line: Veggie Grill, O’Charley’s, Burger King, Boston Market, Steak n Shake and others have been closing doors this year as they work through various challenges.

The sandwich giant finished last in an analysis of fast-food chains’ online reputation. At the top: Chick-fil-A.

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