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Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Articles by
Lisa Jennings

Page 5
Emerging Brands

A taco truck success story and the blessings of birria

So many were attempting food trucks before the pandemic hit. This one survived and now Talkin' Tacos is a 35-unit, $60 million brand with a growth path ahead.

Marketing

In refining its brand message, Sweetgreen returns again to the farm

The latest in an ongoing video series spotlighting farmer/suppliers this week focuses on a woman raising the chain's organic kale. Will showcasing who raised the fast-casual chain's greens, cauliflower or goat cheese move the needle?

Operations

Fast-casual restaurant sales growth cooled in 2025

Sales among the largest fast-casual chains grew 6% last year, a notable deceleration. But standout brands defying the slowdown included Shake Shack, Jersey Mike's, Wingstop and Cava.

Workforce

The understaffing of restaurants is costly, and likely to get worse

A new report by the National Restaurant Association details how lack of staff is not just an inconvenience. It can materially impact growth, service and sales.

Operations

Dog Haus sees a disconnect in traditional franchising. Here's its plan to fix it

The fast-casual chain unveiled a unique new franchising model that seeks to better align franchisors and franchisees. And there's more to come.

Restaurant Leadership Conference Coverage

CEOs of P.F. Chang's and El Pollo Loco share turnaround strategies

P.F. Chang's wants to go public in two years. El Pollo Loco hopes to go international. The leaders of these two very different chains talked at the Restaurant Leadership Conference about how they plan to get there.

Emerging Brands

Mad Greens wants to own Colorado

The fast-casual chain and its parent Salad Collective have a new CEO that's a familiar face. It also has a reworked menu with bolder flavors and a better value proposition. Will it turn things around?

Restaurant Leadership Conference Coverage

Nothing Bundt Cakes honored with 2026 Pacesetter Award

The 803-unit bundt cake brand was celebrated at the Restaurant Leadership Conference in Phoenix, which continues this week.

Financing

Why some pizza chains are struggling

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the weekly restaurant news discussion podcast looks at AI coffee recommendations, pizza challenges, pricing issues and Jersey Mike’s.

Emerging Brands

Bluestone Lane co-founder launches new rotisserie chicken concept with a wood-fired twist

Rosto in the New York suburbs is designed to be a "clean ingredient" (mostly) takeout or delivery option. CEO Jonathan Krieger hopes to grow it.

Emerging Brands

Let Bonrue Bakery's boomlet begin

This Utah-based chain is planning to go from three to 10 locations in two years with a hub-and-spoke model.

Emerging Brands

Roll Em Up Taquitos disputes damaging accusations from franchisees

The 10-unit fast-casual chain clapped back at a lawsuit filed by five franchisees, saying that they were not good operators.

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