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Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business.

Restaurant Business Online


    • Oct 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 4m AVG DURATION
    • 1,244 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from RB Daily

    Cracker Barrel, Dunkin', menu inflation

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 4:11


    Cracker Barrel's CEO has spoken out about “logo-gate” for the first time. Dunkin' is getting ready to run in the afternoons. And The Consumer Price Index was published Friday after a 10-day delay.

    Potbelly-RaceTrac, Perkins CEO, third-quarter earnings

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 4:28


    Potbelly is now officially owned by a convenience-store chain. Perkins has a new CEO. And there are some looming questions as we approach third-quarter earnings.

     Big Boy, FAT Brands, restaurant traffic

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 5:27


    A turf war between Big Boy operators appears to be over for now. FAT Brands has moved to settle one of the lawsuits filed against the company. And traffic remains negative, despite another year of record-breaking LTOs.

    Cracker Barrel training, No Tax on Tips, Starbucks

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2025 5:01


    Cracker Barrel is debuting a new training program. Will the No Taxes on Tips rule create more wage disparity? And Starbucks is testing a new assistant manager program.

    Federal shutdown, Potbelly wraps, Pizza Hut UK insolvency 

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 3:56


    The ongoing federal government shutdown is expected to take a toll on Cava and Sweetgreen. Potbelly is the latest chain to crowd up the battleground over wraps. And a Pizza Hut UK franchisee is insolvent.

    Franchising, immigration, Walmart-ChatGPT

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 4:05


    Restaurant franchising is seeing success right now, with some caveats. The Trump Administration's immigration push is having wide-reaching impacts on the restaurant industry. And here's how Walmart's new ChatGPT partnership could affect the restaurant industry.

    Del Taco, DoorDash/Waymo, AI advertising

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025 2:34


    Del Taco has been sold. DoorDash is partnering with Waymo for driverless delivery. And this chain's new ad campaign was created entirely with AI.

    Lemonade closures, Bravo/Brio, Cava

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 3:22


    The Lemonade fast-casual brand is closing locations. Bravo and Brio are under new management. And what Cava can teach us about M&A.

    Domino's sales, Taco Bell Crispy Chicken, Snooze CEO

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 4:48


    Domino's isn't bullish, despite its strong sales. Taco Bell is bringing back its Crispy Chicken lineup with a new sauce. And Josh Kern has been named CEO of a brunch concept.

    Deal fatigue, 500 7 Brews, Wendy's Mexico

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 4:41


    Deal fatigue appears to be hitting fast food. 7 Brew has opened its milestone 500th stand. And Wendy's is accelerating its expansion in Mexico.

    Popeyes Mexico, teen spending, Cotton Patch comeback

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 3:31


    Popeyes is ramping up its presence in Mexico. Teenagers are cutting back significantly on dining out. And Cotton Patch Cafe is making a big comeback.

    Wendy's-Greg Creed, McDonald's Snack Wrap, AI search

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 3:36


    Wendy's is looking to the former CEO of Taco Bell for turnaround help. McDonald's Snack Wrap drove a lot of traffic. And here's how to get your restaurant to show up on AI search.

    Iron Hill liquidation, Domino's brand refresh, Steve Ells' new venture

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 5:14


    After nearly 30 years in business, Iron Hill has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Domino's has unveiled its first brand refresh in 13 years. And Chipotle founder Steve Ells wants to reinvent the fast casual segment again - This time, with sandwiches.

    ChatGPT food delivery, Long John Silver's, grocery v. restaurants

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 4:04


    ChatGPT is adding food delivery options. Long John Silver's is trying to lure younger diners. And the grocery store is becoming a growing restaurant competitor.

    Round Table Pizza franchisees, Long John Silver's chicken, political consumer trends

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 5:15


    Round Table Pizza franchisees are taking issue with their parent company's ad spending. Long John Silver's wants to be known as more than a seafood chain. And does political affiliation impact restaurant spending?

    Cracker Barrel consultancy, Bruegger's Bagels, Taco Tuesday

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 3:40


    Cracker Barrel has ended its relationship with the consultancy that oversaw its brand refresh initiatives. Bruegger's Bagels locations in Cincinnati are being rebranded. And Taco Bell is launching its biggest Taco Tuesday promotion.

     Restaurant jobs, Razzoo's bankruptcy, Krystal loyalty

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 4:50


    Restaurant hiring is slowing. A chain that just filed for bankruptcy is blaming discounting by its competitors for some of its woes. And 93-year-old Krystal is finally introducing a loyalty program.

    Starbucks union, Big Chicken, Habit Burger deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 5:59


    The Starbucks union has won negotiations for baristas affected by last week's closures. Big Chicken is working out some post-acquisition challenges. And Habit Burger is extending its meal deal.

    DoorDash, Wendy's chicken tenders, Yum CEO

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 4:44


    DoorDash wants to do more for restaurants than just deliver. There's a new chicken tender player in town. And Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs retires this week.

    Cracker Barrel backlash, Chinese tech giant, Burger King Halloween

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 4:14


    Bots played a big role in the Cracker Barrel logo backlash. A Chinese restaurant tech giant is looking to make inroads in the U.S. And Burger King is really leaning into Halloween.

    McDonald's drinks, magnetic brands, Starbucks traffic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 5:09


    We tried some of McDonald's new CosMc's-inspired beverages. Five restaurants are among the most magnetic brands in America. And Starbucks' traffic remains a challenge.

    Starbucks layoffs and closures, Iron Hill Brewery, Popeyes lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 5:37


    Starbucks is planning dozens of store closures and hundreds of layoffs as it looks to reverse sliding sales. A brewery chain has suddenly closed all of its locations. And Popeyes is accusing a former franchisee of trademark violations.

    Portillo's, Dine Brands tech, Panera/Gilmore Girls

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 4:57


    It remains to be seen if Portillo's will continue to expand outside Chicago. Dine Brands uses one simple criterion to prioritize tech investments. And Panera is welcoming fall with two Gilmore Girls stars.

    Osanloo-Portillo's, Subway remodels, Bojangles

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 5:19


    Portillo's has ousted its CEO. Subway franchisees are fighting back against store remodels. And Bojangles' largest franchisee has been acquired by private equity.

    Yum expansion, Starbucks apple crisp, Chick-fil-A delivery

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 5:31


    Yum Brands has acquired 13 PDQ restaurant leases in a quest for expansion. Starbucks is bringing back apple crisp after all. And Chick-fil-A has opened a delivery-only kitchen in Boston.

    Cracker Barrel recovery, cooling restaurant sales, BJ's union

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 6:23


    Cracker Barrel foresees a long road to recovery from its logo debacle. Chain restaurant sales are expected to cool even more than previously anticipated. And BJ's is facing a union push in California.

    Olive Garden, Uber-drones, Iron Hill Brewery

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 4:49


    Olive Garden is seeing whether diners enjoy smaller portions. Uber is testing drone delivery. And Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is shrinking.

    US Foods/Performance Food Group, Salad and Go, Pizza Hut Crafted Flatzz 

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 4:22


    A potential merger would form the nation's largest broadline food distributor. A drive-thru chain is closing more than 40 locations. And a value item at Pizza Hut has evolved into a platform for innovation.

    Denny's activist, McDonald's global impact, FSTEC wrapup

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 4:30


    There's activist investor interest in Denny's. McDonald's is adding more muscle to its global impact team. And here are some of the big takeaways from the FSTEC technology conference.

    McDonald's regenerative agriculture, Popeyes-Hot Ones, IHOP value

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 3:32


    McDonald's is investing in regenerative agriculture. Popeyes is turning up the heat with a new partnership. And IHOP is doubling down on value.

    Black Rock IPO, Portillo's, delivery speed

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 4:42


    There's a new publicly traded restaurant chain for the first time in three years. Can Portillo's get its groove back? And speed wins, when it comes to delivery.

    Value wars, Gen Z, menu price inflation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 5:07


    The value wars are being fought on third-party delivery apps, restaurant chains might want to focus marketing on younger consumers, and menu pricing at full-service restaurants ticked up to its highest level in two years.

    Potbelly sold, Portillo's ends breakfast, Outback appetizer trio

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 6:26


    Potbelly was sold to a big name in the convenience store sector. Portillo's has ended its test of breakfast, and Outback is hopping on the appetizer trio trend.

    Cracker Barrel, Pinstripes bankruptcy, Yum Brands C-suite

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 4:29


    Cracker Barrel is walking back even more of its planned brand revamp. A food-and-games chain has filed for bankruptcy protection. And Taco Bell's parent company is shaking up its leadership ranks.

    Freddy's global, Red Lobster shrimp, Waffle House delivery

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 4:25


    Freddy's is going global. Red Lobster is poking fun at its own bankruptcy. And Waffle House is jumping fully into delivery.

    Freddy's new owner, McDonald's-tip credit, jobs report

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 5:24


    Freddy's officially has a new owner. McDonald's is pushing back on the tip credit. And it was a very slow jobs report for August.

    Possible Noodles & Company sale, Raising Cane's London, CAVA chicken shawarma 

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 5:22


    Noodles & Company is pondering a sale that would likely take the fast-casual chain private. Raising Cane's is bringing chicken fingers to London. And CAVA is bringing Chicken Shawarma to its system for a limited time.

    Starbucks-AI, Fat Brands, Abuelo's

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 6:11


    Starbucks has a new AI assistant for inventory tracking. Andy Wiederhorn is back at the helm of Fat Brands. And a casual-dining Mexican chain declared bankruptcy.

    Starbucks PSL, Black Rock IPO, Smokey Bones closures

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 5:57


    It was a big Pumpkin Spice Latte debut for Starbucks. Black Rock Coffee is looking for a big IPO. And one BBQ chain continues to close stores

    Restaurant profitability, White Castle, Logan's Roadhouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 3:53


    Restaurant profitability has worsened since before the pandemic.  White Castle is defending its turf as a longtime leader in late-night. And one market-research firm has Logan's Roadhouse as the top casual-dining chain for customer experience.

    Taco Bell marketing, Crunchwrap riffs, Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 4:26


    Taco Bell continues to win with marketing. The Crunchwrap is the latest source of menu innovation. And a new law in Texas will make it easier on restaurant operators there.

    Cracker Barrel logo, mental health, Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce marketing

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 5:16


    Cracker Barrel is scrapping its new logo. A Bloomin' Brands director is taking the lead on addressing mental health in the industry. And restaurant brands are ready to celebrate the engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

    Trump-Cracker Barrel, Chili's success, Smoothie King food

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 5:28


    Donald Trump is weighing in on Cracker Barrel's new logo. Chili's shook up the casual-dining curve last quarter. And one smoothie chain is adding food for the first time.

    Chipotle protein, Starbucks pumpkin spice, casual-dining comeback

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 4:23


    Concerned guests can now scoop their own Chipotle protein. Pumpkin Spice is back at Starbucks. And there's an underrated element to casual-dining's comeback.

    Chili's bonuses, McDonald's discount bundles, drinking decline

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 4:23


    Chili's corporate workers are getting some big bonuses after a big year. What will McDonald's freshly discounted bundles mean for the bottom line? And diners aren't drinking like they used to.

    Cracker Barrel, car crashes and Zipotle.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 5:53


    Cracker Barrel has drawn the ire of conservatives, a lot of cars are adding their own drive-thrus to restaurants and here comes Zipotle.

    McDonald's, Black Rock and weak profits

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 4:43


    McDonald's is discounting its combo meals. A coffee company took a key step toward becoming public. And restaurants aren't all that profitable.

    Another casual-dining bankruptcy, Starbucks raises, baby goats

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 4:31


    Another casual-dining company has filed for bankruptcy. Starbucks is giving out some modest raises. And sweetgreen is bringing in baby goats.

    Taylor Swift marketing, franchisee incentives, Applebee's value meal

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 5:04


    Taylor Swift is inspiring creative restaurant marketing ploys. Operators are encouraging franchisee growth with cash incentives. And Applebee's is launching an appetizer value ploy.

    Texas Roadhouse, Presto, Blue Apron

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 4:46


    Texas Roadhouse appears ready to gear up for even more growth. An AI drive-thru firm has a new hire from Wendy's. And Blue Apron's new owner is shaking up meal kits.

    Noodles, food costs, tech supplier lay offs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025 5:22


    Noodles is shrinking, food costs are rising and a tech supplier is laying off staff.

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