Jonathan Maze

Editor-in-Chief

Articles by
Jonathan Maze

Page 75
Financing

Papa Murphy’s owner MTY Food Group to buy Wetzel’s Pretzels for $207M

The Canadian brand collector continues its U.S. shopping spree with its second deal this year, following an earlier acquisition of Famous Dave’s.

Financing

Denny’s works to get more restaurants open 24 hours

Just more than half of the family-dining chain’s restaurants are open all night and executives are taking steps to get Denny’s back to being a 24-hour diner.

But the giant distributor is cautious given the operating environment and prepared to cut costs in a potential economic downturn.

The Bottom Line: The world’s biggest restaurant chain and the world’s biggest pizza chain are increasingly going head-to-head for budget consumers.

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual chain generates nearly $5 million in sales per unit selling chicken fingers. But that’s not the most impressive thing about it.

The Orlando-based chain hired the former Church’s Texas Chicken executive to lead its growth and expand franchise development.

The 20-year veteran of the pizza chain played a key role in some of its high-profile initiatives, such as its first Super Bowl commercial.

The pizza buffet chain has taken ownership of its in-restaurant arcades and expanded them. The result has been a game-changer for a company that was in bankruptcy just two years ago.

The burger giant said it is preparing for a wide range of economic scenarios but says it is getting more lower-income consumers.

Marketing Bites: Uncertainty about whether the company will bring back “the G.O.A.T. of sandwiches” makes it more alluring; Outback uses college athletes to hock catering.

Camp McDonald’s helped propel digital sales at the burger giant, though the strong dollar caused some headaches. The company also warned of a potential recession in the U.S. and Europe.

The Bottom Line: The grill-maker Weber received a buyout offer just one year after its initial public offering. Could the same thing happen with newly public restaurants?

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