Ryan's

Ryan's shutters restaurants without staff warnings

Employees arrived at work to find a closure notice on the door.

Several Ovation Brands chains file for bankruptcy

The buffet-focused operator last went bankrupt in 2012.

More than half of the restaurant industry’s $491 billion in sales come from the Top 500 chains. And these giants grew at a modestly stronger rate, both in terms of sales and store counts, than the industry overall. Restaurant Business focused on the leading 250 performers to identify trends for our first-ever special report delivering lessons from Technomic’s annual Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. This special package includes lessons for all operators from the largest chains by segment, menu category and more.

Not every restaurant development of the past year deserved commemoration with a smiley face. Here are a few of low points.

Sales and unit counts are down overall in the family casual category--otherwise known as buffets or cafeterias.

A buffet chain cooking steaks, chicken, fish and ribs to order over an open flame

The steakhouse and buffet chain cooks over an open flame