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Consumer Trends

Americans are eating their fast food later in the day

 By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 23, 2024

McDonald’s and Chipotle have seen a shift in business from earlier in the day toward dinner, according to data from Placer.ai. And that shift seems permanent.

Operations

Denny's inks a 250-unit deal with ghost-kitchen specialist Franklin Junction

 By Peter Romeo on Jan. 09, 2024

The diner chain also announced preliminary sales results for Q4, with comps rising 1.5% at franchised units and sliding 1.2% at corporate stores.

Financing

TGI Friday's closures continue the bar & grill sector's long decline

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 08, 2024

The Bottom Line: The chain has been struggling in the U.S. for years as domestic consumers shift spending away from traditional bar & grill chains.

Operations

First Watch agrees to acquire one of its largest franchisees

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 08, 2024

The chain will pick up 21 restaurants in North Carolina, bringing total franchised location acquisitions since May to 44.

Financing

The Middle East crisis is causing problems for McDonald's

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 04, 2024

CEO Chris Kempczinski said that the war and “misinformation” are having a “meaningful business impact” at the chain’s Middle East restaurants and elsewhere.

Financing

Darden Restaurants sees little customer belt-tightening, but less celebratory drinking, too

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 15, 2023

The parent of Olive Garden and LongHorn said patrons of its hghest-ticket concepts did not indulge in alcohol during Q2 the way they did a year earlier.

Consumer Trends

The holiday season is looking particularly merry for restaurants this year

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 06, 2023

Projections call for heavy purchases of both on-premise and to-go meals, while consumers are already spending more on gift cards.

Financing

First Watch shifts its growth engine into high gear

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 01, 2023

The breakfast-and-lunch chain recently opened its 500th location and has many others under development as it works to expand its presence.

Emerging Brands

Bubba's 33 shows it can hang with Texas Roadhouse

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 20, 2023

The fast-growing sports bar chain has been on a traffic tear in recent months, just like its big sibling.

Financing

Ozempic will have an impact on restaurants, but it could take a while

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 17, 2023

The Bottom Line: Obesity drugs are expected to become increasingly popular over the next two decades, which could impact the way a large number of consumers use restaurants.

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