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More big franchisees keep filing for bankruptcy. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the bankruptcy of a major Denny’s franchisee and other such bankruptcies, and why more operators keep seeking debt protection.   Portillo’s is closing locations outside of Chicago, so we discuss that topic and why companies should be careful expanding too far afield from their home market.  We’re talking about Wendy’s again because why not. Specifically, we talk about the chain’s rejection of a buyout offer from Nelson Peltz.  And on Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks about delivery. Again. Learn more about Made in Restaurants at www.madeinrestaurants.com

There are some big potential deals in the restaurant industry. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the proposed $17 billion acquisition of grocery delivery company Instacart by restaurant delivery company DoorDash. Will this be good for restaurants?  Former Wendy’s Chairman Nelson Peltz has a $1.4 billion offer for the company. We talk about that offer and the interesting person who is working with Peltz’s group. Sweetgreen managers are making bank, so that is worth discussing. We also talk about weak sales at chicken chains Popeyes and Wingstop. And Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about something on Tech Check.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at Wendy’s, which is closing more restaurants but also promising changes in the near future.  We also discuss Olo, which is taking on third-party delivery apps, and whether that effort can work. There was a lot of news about ramen noodles, as you’d expect, so we talk about that. Also, there’s more news on the Crumbl front. Joe Guszkowski talks about an intriguing new effort by the founder of Grubhub. And Technomic’s David Henkes discusses beverages.

What’s going on with Domino’s? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at Domino’s earnings and what executives said about the state of the economy. We’ll look at what it all means.  Square is coming out with a talking kiosk so that should be interesting.  There were numerous changes recently on the salad front, including a big acquisition and a surprising comeback.  Also, why are so many people dining alone? On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks about ordering with AI agents.

Subway is facing another challenge. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the bribery scandal involving the Independent Purchasing Cooperative, Subway’s nonprofit purchasing co-op. Starbucks may purchase Chipotle? We talk about that bit of news and how likely such a deal is, or is not.  True Food Kitchen filed for bankruptcy. We discuss that issue, why it filed, and whether it was a surprise. Souplantation may well rise again in California. We talk about that.  And Joe Guszkowski talks Uber-ezCater on Tech Check.

A cookie giant is crumbling. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at our investigation into closures and layoffs at Crumbl.  TGI Fridays is expanding again and we discuss the opportunities at the casual-dining chain.  DoorDash has a new tool for its restaurant customers. We discuss how that will work and whether the third-party delivery provider is getting too powerful. We also talk about Diafa, the Abu Dhabi-based company looking to dominate the world of luxury restaurants. And on Tech Check Joe Guszkowski talks about restaurant tech companies combatting a tough economic environment.

Will McDonald’s latest aggressive move work?  This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the Investor Day presentation at the fast-food giant, which announced $8.5 billion in investments behind its “Next” program. We will discuss that move and what it can do for the restaurant chain.  Darden earnings came out this week and we will discuss how Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, and the brand’s other chains are performing. The episode was also recorded at our FSTEC conference and we talk about what we heard during the event.  On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks more. About FSTEC.

LeBron James has scored another restaurant investment. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the basketball star’s investment in Mike’s Red Tacos, his latest in a string of investments in restaurant chains.  DoorDash is investing in the delivery food hall Wonder. We discuss that while trying to figure out exactly what Wonder is.  Papa Johns is adding “coaches” to help with brand standards. We talk about that interesting trend and why restaurant chains are marketing it. Technomic Talk this week is about the impact of GLP-1 use on restaurants. And on Tech Check Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about AI and point-of-sale systems.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.  Subscribe on Spotify.

Another casual-dining chain has shut down. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the closure of O’Charley’s, which has closed its corporate stores, leaving about four franchisee-owned units.  We also discuss Jersey Mike’s first earnings call as a public company. The sandwich chain’s stock soared after the company said transactions were increasing and the company is boosting spending on digital marketing. We also look back at two years of Brian Niccol at Starbucks. On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks Walmart delivery.

Can Domino’s new menu item be a big winner?  In this week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants, we look at The Domino, Domino’s new, single-serve, Detroit-style pizza. Is it too expensive? And what does that mean for the pizza chain’s future? Walmart, meanwhile, is getting into the restaurant delivery business, thanks to a new deal with Dunkin’. We’ll discuss what that means.  And 7 Brew won the Salad and Go sites after Dutch Bros opted not to increase its bid. We discuss what kind of impact that will have on the drive-thru coffee war.  On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks about the next restaurant tech company IPO.

Can you really prevent what just happened to Texas Roadhouse?  This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at an online hoax involving the casual-dining steak chain, and whether any company can effectively prevent such issues.   Independent restaurants are apparently doing better than you think. We’ll discuss what that means for both local restaurants and national brands. McDonald’s franchisees are worried about their profitability after years of discounts just as the company is about to ask for remodels. We’ll talk about that issue. On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks “vibe coding,” whatever that means.  Join us at FSTEC 2026!⁠https://informaconnect.com/fstec/?utm_source=content&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fstec26&utm_content=podcasts⁠

Just when you thought it was safe to go to restaurants, there’s this: Bagels are making a comeback. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the planned expansion of Einstein Bros. Bagels and what that says about the latest bagel boom.  We also talk, again, about Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp and whether its second comeback in four months is a good idea.  We also discuss the latest executive change at Wendy’s, what it says about the brand and why it’s been struggling. On Technomic Talk, Robert Byrne discusses the loss of low-income consumers at Wendy’s and Burger King.  And Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about InKind on Tech Check. Join us at FSTEC 2026!⁠https://informaconnect.com/fstec/?utm_source=content&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fstec26&utm_content=podcasts⁠

Why is Subway taking a stand on closures? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the latest controversy involving Subway, which is making it harder for franchisees to close stores. It is also about to make a big push on late-night hours. There’s a lot more to the Salad and Go story, as 7 Brew and Dutch Bros are fighting over sites. We’ll talk about that. Chili’s reported another quarter of strong sales. We’ll talk about what makes the brand tick. On Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks Google. On Technomic Talks, David Henkes talks beverages. Join us at FSTEC 2026!⁠https://informaconnect.com/fstec/?utm_source=content&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fstec26&utm_content=podcasts⁠

Why did Salad and Go shut down? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurant looks at the closure of Salad and Go, which filed for bankruptcy and closed its remaining locations, selling many of the leases to Dutch Bros. Thai Union, the former owner of Red Lobster, defended its role in the infamous Endless Shrimp promotion.  McDonald’s had a landmark quarter, and not for good reasons. We discuss that.  In addition, pour one for Boston Market, and C-level AI executives on Tech Check. Join us at FSTEC 2026!⁠ https://informaconnect.com/fstec/?utm_source=content&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fstec26&utm_content=podcasts⁠

Why did Cracker Barrel change its CEO one year after its logo controversy? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the family-dining chain’s decision to replace Julie Masino with Dave Deno. Maybe more specifically: We try and make sense of the move.   Rich Shank from Technomic also discusses Cracker Barrel on Technomic’s Take.  Jersey Mike’s went public. We examine the offering and what it says about the brand.  Starbucks’ earnings came out with some strong sales and traffic growth. What does that say about CEO Brian Niccol?  And as always, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski has Tech Check.  Join us at FSTEC 2026!⁠ https://informaconnect.com/fstec/?utm_source=content&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fstec26&utm_content=podcasts⁠