RB Daily
874 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsYour quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business.
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Episodes
Retail traffic, Foxtrot shuts down, Crumbl
April 24, 2024 10:00 - 3 minutes - 3.53 MBRestaurants are losing traffic to retailers. A growing retail-restaurant hybrid suddenly closes its doors. And if you’re like me and think Crumbl’s cookies are too damn big, you’re in luck.
Starbucks, Tijuana Flats bankruptcy, Flynn-Applebee’s
April 23, 2024 10:00 - 4 minutes - 4.03 MBThere appears to be some movement in the case of Starbucks and its employees’ union. Tijuana Flats is filing for bankruptcy and closing many restaurants. And mega-franchisee Greg Flynn is deepening his relationship with Applebee’s
Chipotle vs. Panera, TGI Fridays, Papa Johns’ marketing
April 22, 2024 11:00 - 3 minutes - 5.21 MBChipotle and Panera are no longer neck and neck. Inside TGI Fridays’ potential merger with its UK franchisee. And what will a move to national marketing do for Papa Johns?
Red Lobster, Oberweis, Starbucks cups
April 19, 2024 11:00 - 3 minutes - 4.33 MBRed Lobster is falling behind on its bills. The Oberweis ice cream chain files for bankruptcy. And Starbucks makes a change to its cups.
California, Red Lobster and Martha Stewart
April 18, 2024 12:13 - 3 minutes - 5.02 MBCalifornia operators are still optimistic about the future. That at least is based on a panel at the Restaurant Leadership Conference on Wednesday. Struggling seafood chain Red Lobster is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure its debt. And Martha Stewart on her first restaurant, The Bedford by Martha Stewart.
Chain restaurant growth, Jersey Mike’s, TGI Fridays
April 17, 2024 13:00 - 3 minutes - 4.18 MBChain restaurants are growing – but that growth might not be coming from the most-desireable sources. Is Jersey Mike’s on the market? And TGI Friday’s largest franchisee has plans to buy the company.
Restaurant Leadership Conference, fill-service restaurants, Momofuku
April 16, 2024 13:00 - 3 minutes - 4.67 MBRestaurant Leadership Conference is off and running with a pair of industry leaders winning some hardware. Full-service restaurants commiserated on challenges for the sector. And Momofuku backs down on its chili-crunch offensive
Fast-food traffic, loyalty programs, Restaurant Leader of the Year
April 15, 2024 11:00 - 4 minutes - 6.78 MBFast-food traffic suffered in Q1. A look at what makes a great loyalty program. And drum roll please: Restaurant Business revealed the winners of two annual industry awards.
Joint employer, Crumbl, Buffalo Wild Wings
April 12, 2024 11:02 - 3 minutes - 4.9 MBThere’s a surprising development in joint employer regulations. Crumbl cookie’s sales appear to be crumbling a bit. And Buffalo Wild Wings is quietly growing its spinoff concept. Welcome to RB Daily, a quick look at the industry’s top stories from the editors of Restaurant Business. I’m Heather Lalley, RB’s managing editor
Menu prices, Papa Johns, I Heart Mac and Cheese
April 10, 2024 11:01 - 3 minutes - 5.22 MBMenu price inflation is starting to slow down. Papa Johns has a deal for more locations. And I Heart Mac and Cheese is in hot water once again.
MOD Pizza, tech startups, Florida heat bill
April 10, 2024 10:58 - 3 minutes - 4.28 MBOne fast-casual pizza chain has shuttered more than two dozen locations. There’s lots of activity in tech provider funding. A controversial Florida bill that could change restaurant operations there awaits the governor’s signature.
Value, value, value
April 09, 2024 11:00 - 4 minutes - 5.76 MBRestaurants both large and small are rolling out new menus with one thing in common: Value. Also, Panera Bread’s tech outage appears to have been a cyberattack, and Shake Shack pokes some fun at Chick-fil-A.
Jersey Mike’s, Chick-fil-A, chicken battel
April 08, 2024 11:00 - 3 minutes - 4.77 MBReports indicate that Jersey Mike’s may be for sale. Business at Chick-fil-A is booming. And a new chicken battle is brewing.
Avian flu, McDonald’s-Israel, Frances Allen
April 05, 2024 11:01 - 3 minutes - 5.27 MBAvian flu hits the nation’s biggest egg supplier. McDonald’s is buying out its franchisee in Israel. And the CEO is out at a big QSR chain.
McDonald's, Red Lobster, Dave & Buster's
April 04, 2024 11:00 - 5 minutes - 6.99 MBMcDonald’s CEO got a pay boost. How has Red Lobster unraveled in recent years? And Dave & Buster’s is ready to focus on the food part of its food and games offering.
World Central Kitchen, Wendy’s, BurgerFi
April 03, 2024 11:01 - 4 minutes - 6.77 MBSeven members of Jose Andres’ aid group are killed in Gaza. A big Wendy’s franchisee buys more Wendy’s. And BurgerFi is having some financial problems.
Fast casuals, Swig, Dave & Buster’s
April 02, 2024 11:01 - 3 minutes - 5.47 MBWall Street is smiling at fast-casual concepts. A fast-growing drinks chain is looking for a new leader. And Dave & Buster’s is heading overseas.
Punch Bowl Social, I Heart Mac and Cheese, Gen Z
April 01, 2024 11:07 - 3 minutes - 4.84 MBWhat ever happened to Punch Bowl Social? A mac and cheese franchise is hit with a fine in California. And a look at Gen Z’s restaurant tech preferences.
Bob Evans for sale, McDonald’s prices, Smashburger
March 29, 2024 10:59 - 3 minutes - 4.81 MBBob Evans is apparently for sale. McDonald’s price increases are not created equally. And what CEO Denise Nelsen plans to do at Smashburger.
Swipe fees, Benihana, insider trading
March 28, 2024 11:01 - 4 minutes - 5.68 MBCredit card swipe fees are going down, so why are restaurants so unhappy? Benihana is sold for $365 million. And a group of baseball players are accused of illegally trading Del Taco stock.
McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme, Danny Meyer, marketing fails
March 27, 2024 11:00 - 3 minutes - 4.26 MBMcDonald’s and Krispy Kreme are expanding their partnership. Danny Meyer is offering his hospitality expertise to non-restaurant businesses. And a look at some of the biggest marketing flops in restaurant history.
Panera outage, D.C. tip credit, pizza problems
March 26, 2024 11:01 - 3 minutes - 4.52 MBPanera Bread is dealing with a digital outage. Full-service restaurants in D.C. are slashing jobs. And the pizza business has fallen on hard times.
Sluggish sales, Red Lobster, Rob Lynch
March 25, 2024 11:00 - 3 minutes - 4.42 MBRestaurant sales are slowing. Red Lobster has a new CEO. And how Shake Shack lured Rob Lynch away from Papa Johns.
Olive Garden, California wages, Shake Shack CEO
March 22, 2024 11:01 - 3 minutes - 4.46 MBLower-income diners aren’t going to Olive Garden as often as they used to. California’s fast-food wage-setting process seems to be getting more and more complicated. And Shake Shack just named the second CEO in its history.
Chipotle’s stock split, Subway’s big switch, AI bread
March 21, 2024 11:01 - 2 minutes - 4.12 MBChipotle makes New York Stock Exchange history. Why Subway’s switch to Pepsi is such a big deal. And can AI make artisanal bread?
McDonald’s chairman, Subway’s soda switch, Wonder
March 20, 2024 11:02 - 3 minutes - 5.45 MBMcDonald’s CEO is adding a new title to his job description. Subway is switching soda suppliers. And Wonder lands another nine-figure funding round.
Panera Bread, unified commerce, Virtual Dining Concepts
March 19, 2024 11:06 - 4 minutes - 6.8 MBIt looks like Panera Bread is not, in fact, exempt from California’s fast-food wage hike. Get to know unified commerce, the latest tech buzzword. And Virtual Dining Concepts continues to collect concepts.
Corner Bakery’s comeback, Subway, Boston Market
March 18, 2024 11:02 - 3 minutes - 5.62 MBCorner Bakery is bouncing back from bankruptcy. Subway franchisees just hired a high-powered attorney. And former employees of the struggling Boston Market say they’re having problems filing their taxes.
Kernel, C3 acquisition, &Pizza CEO
March 15, 2024 11:01 - 3 minutes - 4.52 MBThe new concept from Chipotle’s founder is looking to reimagine fast-casual dining. Digital restaurant group C3 has made another acquisition. And &Pizza has a new-ish CEO.
McDonald's, Five Iron Gold, Pizza Hut
March 14, 2024 11:02 - 3 minutes - 4.5 MBGet ready for bigger burgers at McDonald’s (again). Five Iron Golf gets a high-profile endorsement. And Pizza Hut tries the bagel business.
Menu prices, fast-casual delivery, Keith Lee Effect
March 13, 2024 11:01 - 2 minutes - 3.78 MBRestaurant menu prices are easing. There’s a new partnership between two delivery-focused fast casuals. And what is the Keith Lee effect?
Boston Market, restaurant trends, union salters
March 12, 2024 11:04 - 3 minutes - 5.11 MBBoston Market appears to be down to just a couple dozen locations. Is the supermarket the next restaurant bastion? And here’s how to tell if restaurant employees are looking to unionize.
Starbucks, Noodles, Potbelly
March 11, 2024 11:06 - 4 minutes - 6.48 MBStarbucks passes Subway on the list of biggest restaurant chains. Noodles has a new CEO and a new menu strategy. And Potbelly is seeing good results from a revamped loyalty program.
Bojangles marketing, Panera IPO, Florida delivery
March 08, 2024 12:02 - 4 minutes - 5.6 MBBojangles franchisees are taking their franchisor to court over marketing. Will Panera Bread ever go public? And Florida lawmakers are changing the way restaurants can communicate with delivery customers.
Charter Foods lawsuit, loyalty programs, Ken Pendery
March 07, 2024 12:01 - 4 minutes - 6.53 MBA Taco Bell operator is facing sexual harassment claims. Many restaurants want more from their loyalty programs. And First Watch co-founder Ken Pendery dies at 70.
Starbucks’ board, First Watch earnings, DoorDash-NYC
March 06, 2024 12:00 - 5 minutes - 7.26 MBThe activists lobbying for seats on Starbucks board have withdrawn their nominations. First Watch opened a significant number of new stores during its fourth quarter. And DoorDash said New York City’s wage boost for couriers is hurting its sales.
California wages, Neon Greens, Whole Foods
March 05, 2024 12:02 - 3 minutes - 5.07 MBThe members of California’s Fast Food Council have been named. Whole Foods has a scaled-down new store design. And a look at a salad concept that grows all of its lettuce on site.
Sweetgreen, Starbucks, Papa Johns
March 04, 2024 12:00 - 5 minutes - 7.08 MBSweetgreen is going all in on its digital kitchens. Starbucks received some key endorsements in its board fight with a union-backed group. And expect to see a lot more from Papa Johns.
Papa Johns, Red Robin, Subway
March 01, 2024 12:01 - 3 minutes - 5.3 MBDelivery apps are beating Papa Johns at its own game. Red Robin wants you to know about its free refills. And Subway pressures franchisees on remodels.
Wendy’s dynamic pricing, Panera Bread, Applebee’s and IHOP
February 29, 2024 12:01 - 6 minutes - 8.55 MBWendy’s isn’t testing dynamic pricing after all. Panera Bread is revamping its menu. And Applebee’s and IHOP could soon co-brand in the U.S.
Wendy’s-dynamic pricing, Golden Corral data breach, Cava
February 28, 2024 12:05 - 4 minutes - 6.82 MBWendy’s recent mention of a surge-pricing test is going viral. A buffet chain is in the midst of a data breach. And Cava had an impressive first year as a public company.
Domino’s Pizza, Smashed Jack burgers, Wonder-Walmart
February 27, 2024 12:00 - 3 minutes - 5.14 MBEmergency pizza has been a hit for Domino’s. Here’s the inside scoop on the latest Jack in the Box burger. And Walmart has a new delivery-focused food hall.
Bloomin’ Brands closures, Starbucks labor, restaurant success
February 26, 2024 12:03 - 4 minutes - 6.11 MBBloomin’ Brands is doing some pruning of its older restaurants. Starbucks’ board is getting some attention from labor activists. And reports of the restaurant industry’s demise are, apparently, greatly exaggerated.
Jack in the Box, Cheesecake Factory, Burgerim
February 23, 2024 12:08 - 5 minutes - 8.18 MBJack in the Box is cooking up a bigger burger. No news is good news at The Cheesecake Factory. And an update on the federal case against the founder of Burgerim.
Wingstop, CosMc’s, energy drinks
February 22, 2024 12:01 - 4 minutes - 6.18 MBWingstop is seeing double-digit same-store sales growth, but investors aren’t impressed. Some McDonald’s franchisees want to get in on the CosMc’s action. And yet another QSR is putting energy drinks on the menu.
Focus re-Brands, Andy Wiederhorn, Starbucks
February 21, 2024 12:04 - 5 minutes - 7.01 MBFocus Brands is rebranding. Andy Wiederhorn is facing charges from the SEC. And a record number of Starbucks stores filed to form unions.
Toast, BJ’s-weather, Texas Roadhouse
February 20, 2024 12:00 - 3 minutes - 5.5 MBAnother restaurant tech supplier is in the midst of a major restructuring. Bad weather had a bad effect on the earnings of at least one casual-dining chain. And Texas Roadhouse appears to be grabbing customers from some of its competitors.
Inspire IPO, Wendy’s, 7 Brew
February 16, 2024 12:01 - 4 minutes - 6.12 MBInspire Brands is reportedly considering an IPO. Wendy’s is planning big investments in digital and marketing. And 7 Brew coffee has a high-profile new investor.
McDonald’s franchisees, restaurant labor, David Bouley
February 15, 2024 12:08 - 4 minutes - 6.29 MBMcDonald’s franchisees are lobbying for the return of a popular snack item. A look inside the current state of restaurant labor. An
Menu prices, BJ’s activist, Burger King
February 14, 2024 12:00 - 5 minutes - 7.01 MBRestaurant prices keep rising. BJs Restaurants is facing pressure from an activist investor. And Burger King franchisees are having a big year.