Restaurant Rewind

`Those who don’t know their history are destined to relive it', to riff on the words of a famed philosopher. For anyone in the restaurant business, that oft-quoted saying may be more of a heartening promise than a dire admonition. The industry’s past is packed with tales of scoundrels and heroes, big thinkers and pinheads, colossal successes and dismal failures, breakthrough moves and self-inflicted destruction. Few soap operas pack as much color and drama. Yet those yellowed snapshots provide insights relevant to the challenges of today. Join Peter Romeo, a 41-year veteran of the business with a penchant for restaurant history, as he explores those pivotal moments from the past.

Leadership

Restaurateur Elon Musk aims to go where few business giants have succeeded

By Restaurant Business Staff on Jun. 21, 2022

History shows deep pockets and past triumphs are no guarantee of conquering the peculiar world of foodservice. Here’s a look at past trainwrecks.

Operations

When restaurants are the scenes of mass shootings

By Restaurant Business Staff on Jun. 14, 2022

Restaurant Rewind: If restaurateurs think tragedies like the Uvalde attack are other institutions’ curse, their memories are too short. Here’s what they’re forgetting.

Financing

It may be deja vu all over again for Nelson Peltz and Wendy's

By Restaurant Business Staff on May 31, 2022

Restaurant Rewind: The investor knows how to bag his prey. Will this pursuit be as nasty as the last one?

Leadership

McDonald's entry into Russia makes its planned exit seem ho-hum

By Restaurant Business Staff on May 24, 2022

Restaurant Rewind: The opening was hailed as a contributor to the thawing of relations between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. It also introduced many Russians to the concept of smiling.

Financing

When chains go from sizzle to fizzle

By Peter Romeo on May 17, 2022

Restaurant Rewind: Dutch Bros’ stock price dropped 37% in a day last week. It’s far from the only public restaurant chain to go from an investor darling to a source of Wall Street consternation in one trading day. This week’s edition looks at two other examples.

Financing

When Wendy’s and McDonald’s went chain shopping

By Restaurant Business Staff on May 03, 2022

Restaurant Rewind: The burger giants once swelled their portfolios to include everything from pasta concepts to burrito chains. Here's why they ultimately pared back down to burgers.

Marketing