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By Peter Romeo on Mar. 08, 2024

Reality Check: In his State of the Union Address, the chief executive touched on several government actions that would change restaurateurs' world. But except for his comments on immigration, it was deja vu all over again.

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Financing

This would be a bad time for a Panera IPO

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 07, 2024

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual chain has wanted to go public for years. But controversies, lawsuits, a menu overhaul and an ingredient downgrade made that a bad idea.

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Technology

Restaurant loyalty is stuck in neutral

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 06, 2024

Tech Check: Many restaurants say their programs aren’t working, but the best way to fix them is not yet clear.

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Financing

First Watch blazes its own path on tech, aiming for multiple benefits

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 05, 2024

The breakfast-and-lunch chain is proceeding slowly and selectively in building its stack.

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Technology

The case for the (mostly) digital restaurant

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 04, 2024

Tech Check: Digitizing 100% of orders has become a North Star for some brands. But 90% might be the wiser goal.

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Operations

GoTo Foods' 4-year path to overnight transformation

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 01, 2024

The company formerly known as Focus Brands is now GoTo Foods and a "platform business." What does that really mean for franchisees of Cinnabon, McAlister's Deli, Carvel, Jamba, Schlotzsky's, Auntie Anne's and Moe's Southwest Grill?

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Marketing

Older brands try new tricks in their quest to stay relevant

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 01, 2024

Reality Check: A number of mature restaurant chains are out to prove that age is just a number.

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Topics

How the shift to counter service has changed Steak n Shake's profitability

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 29, 2024

The Bottom Line: Sardar Biglari, chairman of the chain’s owner Biglari Holdings, details how the addition of kiosks and counter service has transformed restaurants.

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Financing

At Papa Johns, delivery shifts from its own apps to aggregators

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 29, 2024

The Bottom Line: The pizza delivery chain’s business with companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash is thriving while its own delivery is slowing. But this isn’t the beginning of the end of self-delivery, CEO Rob Lynch says.

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Food