sales and profits

Why 2023 will be a year of weaker sales and higher margins

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 30, 2023

Fitch Ratings expects modest restaurant growth this year. But recent price increases and an improving inflationary environment should help with profits.

Financing

Ark Restaurants finds today's menu pricing to be a head-scratcher

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 20, 2022

The multiconcept operator has drastically raised prices, but doesn't know how much more can be passed along.

Financing

Washington operators have a rebuttal for those who say restaurants are too busy to be hurting

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 14, 2022

Industry leaders took reporters behind the numbers for a clearer, more nuanced picture of hospitality's ongoing rebound from the pandemic.

Financing

Dave & Buster’s profits improve but sales slow

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 08, 2022

The eatertainment chain operator’s stock fell 7% after saying sales slowed down so far this quarter.

Premium

Financing

Last quarter’s big winner: Higher menu prices

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 02, 2022

The Bottom Line: Other winners included Potbelly and third-party delivery, while Freshii, quick-service pizza and lower-income consumers were left out.

Premium

Operations

Restaurants ride a CPG wave

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 22, 2022

Post-pandemic consumers are embracing their favorite restaurant brands on retail shelves despite higher grocery inflation.

Premium

Financing

Restaurants are 'stuck' with falling traffic

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 10, 2022

The Bottom Line: Wendy’s CEO Todd Penegor said that consumers are still eating more of their meals at home, and “it’s kind of stuck there.”

Beverage

Sober bars and zero-proof drink lists add buzz to alcohol-free socialization

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 10, 2022

More consumers want to abstain from alcohol at least some of the time, and operators are answering the call with booze-free cocktail selections that are just as buzz-worthy.

Financing