A Deeper Dive
Episodes
How the coronavirus shock is hurting restaurants
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," RB editors discuss how the virus and steps to prevent its spread are impacting the industry.
Raising Cane’s on its new restaurant partner program
11 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Founder and Co-CEO Todd Graves and Co-CEO AJ Kumaran join "A Deeper Dive" to talk about the program as well as the chicken trend, growth and technolog...
How Sonic is rethinking its brand identity
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Claudia San Pedro, the chain’s president, joins this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive" to discuss its new marketing, technology and other issues.
What does the ghost kitchen trend mean for restaurants?
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Fleischmann, vice president with the investment firm Kitchen Fund, joins the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" to discuss the sudden surge in interest in...
How Barcelona Wine Bar survived the acquisitions roller coaster
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
CEO Adam Halberg joins "A Deeper Dive" to talk about the chain and its approach to delivery and service.
How Just Salad finds people to keep growing
12 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Kenner, founder of the 50-unit salad chain, joins "A Deeper Dive" to talk about the chain’s growth challenges.
How Macaroni Grill turned it around
05 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
CEO Nishant Machado joins the RB podcast A Deeper Dive to talk about the chain’s comeback and its multi-brand operation.
How the Burgerim story came together
29 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s edition of A Deeper Dive focuses on our recent Burgerim series and what it means for restaurants and franchises.
How G.J. Hart plans to keep Torchy's Tacos hot
22 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The longtime industry CEO joins "A Deeper Dive" to talk about Torchy’s managing partner system and the chain’s strong growth.
How Velvet Taco prepared itself for delivery
15 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
CEO Clay Dover joins "A Deeper Dive" to discuss growth, labor and his own unique approach to learning about delivery.
How Smoothie King adjusts with an evolving customer
08 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
CEO Wan Kim joins "A Deeper Dive" to discuss the chain’s approach to technology and how it innovates with a limited menu.
How a former McDonald’s franchisee made it in New York
18 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Lewis, who recently sold his New York City-area restaurants, joins "A Deeper Dive" to talk about the brand, his focus on speed and overcoming oper...
Restaurants struggle to find good real estate
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Barry Wolfe of Marcus & Millichap discusses real estate trends.
Why restaurants are searching for new ways to build sales
04 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode of the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" features a discussion between Jonathan Maze and Peter Romeo about companies’ latest sales-bu...
What is the future of restaurant delivery?
27 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa Wilson of Technomic discusses the opportunities and challenges on this week's episode of "A Deeper Dive."
How Black Bear Diner is combating the labor shortage
20 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Dean, CEO of the family-dining chain, joins "A Deeper Dive" to discuss the challenges of finding workers for a growing company.
Why so many big-chain CEOs are out
13 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest edition of "A Deeper Dive," Jonathan Maze and Peter Romeo discuss the spate of big-time chains changing chief executives.
Todd Penegor has big plans for Wendy’s
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The CEO of the burger chain joins "A Deeper Dive" to discuss the chain’s breakfast and international expansions.
Why the restaurant lending market is still booming
30 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive, " Mark Wasilefsky, head of the restaurant finance group for TD Bank, talks about financing.
How restaurants can combat an economic slowdown
23 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Joe Pawlak of Technomic discusses a recent downturn in industry growth.
How the plant-based trend is helping Veggie Grill
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Heeley, CEO of the veggie-friendly fast-casual chain Veggie Grill, joins this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive" to talk about the plant-based ...
Debating the risks and rewards of franchising
09 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," franchising experts Matthew Haller and Keith Miller debate the riskiness of operating a franchise busines...
How Portillo’s finds new markets
02 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Michael Osanloo, CEO of Portillo’s, discusses how the chain finds its way outside of its home territory...
How Auntie Anne’s is evolving beyond the mall
25 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Heather Neary, president of the pretzel chain, joins the RB podcast A Deeper Dive to discuss how the chain is adapting to meet consumer needs.
How fast-growing Tropical Smoothie keeps chugging
18 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How fast-growing Tropical Smoothie keeps chugging by Restaurant Business
The IPO market reopens for restaurants
11 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Ashish Seth of BMO Capital Markets talks about Kura Sushi's IPO and a crazy summer for M&A.
What is the future of casual dining?
04 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive" features former Red Robin CEO Denny Marie Post, speaking about the challenges faced by dine-in concepts.
How small chains can tackle delivery
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Larry Ryback, CEO of Cotton Patch Cafe, joins "A Deeper Dive" to discuss how a small, regional chain can take advantage of the latest trend, even in s...
How Blaze Pizza’s founders figured it out
21 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rick Wetzel joins "A Deeper Dive" to talk about raising funds for expansion, LeBron James and taking on Domino’s.
How HMS Host works to get it right inside airports
14 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How HMS Host works to get it right inside airports by Restaurant Business
How restaurants can solve the labor dilemma
07 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of “A Deeper Dive,” TDn2K Chairwoman Joni Thomas Doolin talks about the industry’s biggest challenge.
What to make of a flurry of restaurant acquisitions
31 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of "A Deeper Dive," RB’s Jonathan Maze and Peter Romeo discuss what has been a busy summer season for restaurant M&A.
How Chicken Salad Chick makes it work
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
CEO Scott Deviney joins the RB podcast A Deeper Dive to discuss why Chicken Salad Chick works so well. He discusses the salad’s surprising flexibili...
How growing Culver’s keeps its small-town culture
17 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Cofounder Craig Culver and CEO Joe Koss join the RB podcast A Deeper Dive to talk about the chain’s history and its future.
How casual dining is fighting the beverage battle
10 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Technomic’s David Henkes talks about the business of alcohol in restaurants.
Could any chain overtake McDonald’s?
26 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s edition of the RB podcast A Deeper Dive features Technomic’s Joe Pawlak, talking about the future of the Top 500.
How Punch Bowl Social gets customers to come back
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Thompson, the founder of the “eatertainment” destination, joins the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" to talk about his company overcomes growth c...
How small restaurant chains can compete against the big guys
12 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive" features Cousins Subs CEO Christine Specht and franchising attorney Caroline Fichter.
Why grocers are pushing into prepared food
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Winsight Grocery Business Executive Editor Jon Springer joins "A Deeper Dive" to talk share of stomach.
How restaurants can walk the menu price tightrope
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Consultant Mark Kelnhofer joins "A Deeper Dive" to talk about how restaurants can make their margins without pricing themselves out of traffic.
Have investors soured on small restaurant chains?
22 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Brock, managing partner with Hargett Hunter Capital Management, joins the RB podcast A Deeper Dive to discuss the state of mergers and acquisitio...
How restaurants can combat the labor shortage
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt Schnaubelt of AlixPartners joins "A Deeper Dive" to discuss the how workforce challenges are affecting industry profits and sales.
How companies can ride the off-premise wave
08 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Technomic’s Melissa Wilson and Fazoli’s CEO Carl Howard join the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" to talk about the off-premise trend.
How Habit Burger made delivery profitable
01 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s edition of “A Deeper Dive,” Habit CEO Russ Bendel talks about delivery, expansion and the burger business.
How The Halal Guys found its name—and its growth
24 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
CEO Ahmed Abouelenein joins the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" to talk about how the chain went from a nameless NYC cart to an international growth chain....
How White Castle did 'The Impossible'
17 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s edition of the RB podcast 'A Deeper Dive' features White Castle CEO Lisa Ingram, talking about the chain’s introduction of The Impossi...
How big will the restaurant industry be this year?
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The National Restaurant Association’s Hudson Riehle joins this episode of "A Deeper Dive" and says there is still plenty of room for industry growth...
Why are restaurants now buying tech companies?
03 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Why are restaurants now buying tech companies? by Restaurant Business
Modern Market, Lemonade, and the future of fast casual
27 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Modern Market cofounder Anthony Pigliacampo talks about his chain’s merger with Lemonade in this week’s episode of the podcast "A Deeper Dive."
The Evolution of Kids' Menus
20 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of "A Deeper Dive,” Aimee Harvey and Robert Byrne of Technomic explore today's trends in kids’ menus and the influence of millenni...
How marketing is fueling KFC’s turnaround
13 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
RB’s A Deeper Dive features KFC U.S. President Kevin Hochman, on the ingredients behind the chain’s comeback.
How Tim Casey plans to fix Quiznos
06 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The CEO of Rego Restaurant Group joins the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" to explain why being part of a bigger group could help the sub chain.
How Buffalo Wild Wings is plotting its turnaround
27 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How Buffalo Wild Wings is plotting its turnaround by Restaurant Business
How True Food Kitchen plans to grow with a healthy menu
20 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Christine Barone, CEO of the Oprah-backed upscale casual chain, talks about the market’s challenges and opportunities in this week’s RB podcast A ...
Why restaurant chains are going private
13 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "A Deeper Dive," Barry McGowan, CEO of Fogo de Chao, talks about his chain’s future and why it opted to sell to Rhone Capital las...
Why merger mania has hit the restaurant industry
06 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "A Deeper Dive," a trio of experts from investment banking firm PJ Solomon discuss why restaurants are consolidating so much.
How restaurants should adapt to rising takeout demand
30 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" features Kitchen United’s Atul Sood, discussing how his company takes off-premise sales off premise.
Why takeout is taking over restaurants
23 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Noah Glass of Olo joins RB's podcast, "A Deeper Dive," to talk takeout and debate the future of restaurant ordering.
Wingstop’s Charlie Morrison on the digital future
16 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The CEO of the chicken wing chain discusses strategies to increase sales through mobile and online ordering on RB's podcast, "A Deeper Dive."
How demographics are affecting restaurant sales
09 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Technomic’s Joe Pawlak talks about restaurant sales in the coming year.
Why 2018 was a big year for restaurants
19 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" looks back at the year in marketing, technology, food and everything else.
How Greg Flynn kept the faith through Applebee’s struggles
12 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s RB podcast A Deeper Dive, the big franchisee also discusses his recent purchase of 368 Arby’s restaurants.
Why the franchisor-franchisee relationship is worsening
06 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s edition of RB's podcast, "A Deeper Dive," explores the growing tension between franchisors and their franchisees.
How robots will change the restaurant business
28 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The RB podcast, "A Deeper Dive," explores the influx of technology in restaurants, with Results Thru Strategy’s Fred LeFranc.
How independent restaurants handle labor pressure
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive" features R.J. Melman, president of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.
Restaurants’ looming debt problem
14 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
RB’s podcast, "A Deeper Dive," discusses how more chains face problems with falling sales and too much leverage.
Is casual dining coming back?
07 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s RB podcast, "A Deeper Dive" explores whether chains like Applebee’s and BJ’s can sustain their momentum.
How Domino’s plans to keep its momentum
31 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s "A Deeper Dive" podcast features Domino’s CEO Ritch Allison, talking international growth, technology, and following Patrick Doyle.
How Snooze, an A.M. Eatery perfected day drinking
24 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Snooze CEO David Birzon discusses how a full bar spiced up the breakfast daypart.
Why so many restaurants are declaring bankruptcy
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s podcast, restructuring expert Jonathan Tibus talks about what’s causing problems at so many chains.
How Honeygrow uses technology with a purpose
10 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This edition of the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" focuses on technology, and how innovation can help a restaurant improve its experience.
Why franchisor-franchisee disputes are more common right now
03 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s edition of the RB podcast "A Deeper Dive" examines disputes at Tim Hortons, Subway, Applebee’s and others.
How Norman Van Aken developed his ‘New World Cuisine’
26 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Also on this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," a discussion of the challenges at some fast-casual chains.
How restaurants are dealing with their labor problems
19 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, Pincho Factory CEO Jayson Tipp and RB Editor-at-Large Peter Romeo talk about labor challenges.
How restaurants can take advantage of delivery
12 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
RB’s podcast "A Deeper Dive" discusses how restaurant companies can adapt as consumers demand food be taken to them.
How a chain’s reputation influences its performance
10 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Technomic’s Robert Byrne talks about customer perception at chains like Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and Starbucks.
First Watch’s Chris Tomasso on breakfast business growth
05 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of RB's podcast, “A Deeper Dive,” the new CEO of the fast-growing chain talks about its keys to success.
Jersey Mikes’ Hoyt Jones on the shifting sandwich landscape
29 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Also: Should Dunkin’ Donuts get rid of the donuts?
Why some restaurants are losing customers
22 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s podcast, Howard Penney talks industry sales challenges, and a look at some concepts that could be the next big thing.
Dave Boennighausen details Noodles & Co.'s impressive comeback
15 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Also in this edition of RB's podcast, "A Deeper Dive": upcoming menu trends.
Can Papa John’s recover from John Schnatter controversy?
10 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Restaurant Business' Peter Romeo and Jonathan Maze weigh in on the dispute and where the chain goes from here in this special edition of “A Deeper D...
Smashburger’s Tom Ryan on the burger wars
08 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest edition of RB's podcast, "A Deeper Dive," we also talk about Chipotle’s recovery from food safety-related sales challenges.
Firehouse Subs’ Don Fox on the impact of the takeout trend
01 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Firehouse Subs CEO, Don Fox, talks about how much the shift toward takeout has impacted his company.
Why Chick-fil-A is getting into the meal kit business
25 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Also on this week’s episode of “A Deeper Dive,” RB revisits some times when executives got their brands into trouble.
Subway’s James Walker on how delivery is changing restaurants
18 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Subway’s VP of North America talks real estate, and we talk about the future of takeout.
How John Schnatter’s problems have damaged Papa John’s
16 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In a special episode of "A Deeper Dive," Technomic's Robert Byrne talks about Papa John’s reputation challenges.
How McDonald’s is working to change its menu
11 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Chad Schafer, McDonald’s senior director of menu innovation, discusses the chain’s improvement efforts in "A Deeper Dive."
Why small restaurant chains have the advantage
05 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In its latest episode, “A Deeper Dive” provides highlights from the growth-oriented Restaurant Directions conference.
An inside look at the IHOb campaign
27 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of RB's "A Deeper Dive," IHOP President Darren Rebelez talks about the company’s buzzy burger-centric move.
Technomic talks the state of the restaurant industry
20 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of Restaurant Business' "A Deeper Dive" podcast, Technomic Managing Principal Joe Pawlak talks about the companies that are doin...
Chipotle's Scott Boatwright on improving operations
13 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of RB’s podcast, "A Deeper Dive," Chipotle's chief restaurant officer details efforts to improve the chain’s operations.