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The Bottom Line

Jonathan Maze The Bottom Line

Restaurant Business Executive Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze is a longtime industry journalist who writes about restaurant finance, mergers and acquisitions and the economy, with a particular focus on quick-service restaurants. He writes daily about the factors influencing the operating environment, including labor and food costs and various industry trends such as technology and delivery.

Jonathan has been widely quoted in media publications such as the New York Times and the Washington Post and has appeared on CNBC, Yahoo Finance and NPR. He writes a weekly finance-focused newsletter for Restaurant Business, The Bottom Line, and is the host of the weekly podcast “A Deeper Dive.”

Financing

Darden’s Gene Lee shows casual dining how it’s done

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 22, 2018

Olive Garden’s owner has thrived by simply focusing on doing a good job at its restaurants, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Why Starbucks is suddenly struggling

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 20, 2018

The chain has too many stores and has raised prices too aggressively, and bad PR hasn’t helped, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

O’Charley’s owner is splitting up

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 19, 2018

In a bid for simplicity, Ninety Nine Restaurants, O’Charley’s are splitting from Village Inn and Bakers Square, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Marketing

International House of Burgers? Really?

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 14, 2018

The marketing stunt was great, but the ending was a disappointment, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Which chain will Cheesecake Factory buy?

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 14, 2018

An analyst suggests the company could buy upscale chain North Italia from Fox Restaurant Group, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

A brief history of Quiznos’ collapse

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 13, 2018

The once high-growth chain is an example of what happens when restaurant systems don’t focus on operator health, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Was Starbucks’ price hike a good idea?

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 08, 2018

The company is risking more traffic challenges with steep price increases, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A get caught up in political intrigue

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 06, 2018

One is the center of a scandal, the other an international bargaining chip; both stories reflect the chains’ strengths, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

Financing

Howard Schultz leaves big stamp on restaurant industry

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 05, 2018

While some debate whether he will run for a seat in the Oval Office, his seat atop Starbucks left an undeniable impact on the restaurant business.

Financing

Why casual-dining chains should close about 2,000 locations

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 01, 2018

Continued traffic challenges and industry changes suggest a need to keep reducing supply, says RB’s The Bottom Line.

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