2024 year in review

In a recessionary year for restaurants, stories of bankruptcies and sales challenges dominated the headlines. But some brands did pretty well.

The year brought the deaths of such industry standouts as David Bouley, Walt Ehmer, Solomon Choi and Jasper White.

Red Lobster and TGI Fridays led a year in which chains both big and small clogged bankruptcy courts. Here is a look at the year’s biggest bankruptcy filings.

These aren’t the easiest of times. How about a fast forward on some of the new realities?

The private-equity group, with the year’s two biggest deals for Jersey Mike’s and Tropical Smoothie, saved what was mostly a year full of bargain-basement deals and bankruptcy sales.

We heard a lot about “swicy” and cheese pulls, but what else was trending both inside and outside restaurants’ walls?

New items and limited-time offers flooded restaurant menus in 2024, but these winners surged to the top in more ways than one.

Many sit-down chains struggled. There were bankruptcies, closures and plenty of soul-searching. But there were some clear winners, too.

Wingstop, Cava and Raising Cane's beat all odds, and others had a pretty great year, despite road bumps. But for a few, it was pretty rough.

AI, kiosks and delivery apps were the big winners. Loyalty programs and dynamic pricing had a weird year.

From “swicy” to “servant leader,” here’s some of the industry jargon we hope not to see in 2025.

Everyone has a conviction about what’s ahead for the industry in the New Year. But it’s the uncertainties—the what-ifs—that should be top of mind.

The operating environment and the economy should provide some tailwinds while the M&A market returns to normal. But tariffs and deportations could create some real headaches.

It's not clear what sort of macroeconomic climate the new year will bring, but big-name restaurateurs are busy with new projects in the works.

It's too soon to say what the next hot thing will be next year, but these growing brands are worth keeping an eye on.

Restaurant Business’ technology editor foresees an eventful year for Toast, CloudKitchens, first-party ordering and more.