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earnings

Financing

Olive Garden owner’s record sales overshadowed by omicron

 By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 24, 2022

A historic December gave way to a difficult January for Darden Restaurants, but it had bounced back again by February.

Operations

Why Darden CEO Gene Lee isn’t worried about consumers’ spending power

 By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 24, 2022

On his final earnings call as chief executive, Lee provided some parting wisdom about the state of restaurants in an unusual moment for the economy.

Operations

First Watch is raising prices after holding off last year

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 23, 2022

The breakfast-and-lunch chain instituted a 3.9% hike in the first quarter as food and labor costs continue to rise.

Operations

Why Greg Flynn says Applebee’s is ‘kicking ass’ right now

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 16, 2022

The country’s largest restaurant franchisee said Applebee’s has become the top performer in its portfolio after a big 2021.

Operations

4 reasons for optimism at Red Robin

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 11, 2022

Staffing challenges have slowed the chain’s comeback from COVID. But these underlying trends have the brand feeling good about the future.

Financing

Portillo’s wants to be a ‘price laggard’

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 10, 2022

The fast-casual Italian beef chain, which went public in October, said it looks to take traffic while other brands are taking price. But that doesn’t mean it’s not raising prices at all.

Leadership

El Pollo Loco names Laurance Roberts CEO

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 10, 2022

Roberts has served as interim CEO and CFO since last fall, following the departure of Bernard Acoca, who left to take the top post at Zaxby’s.

Operations

Potbelly outlines its big growth goals

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 03, 2022

The 443-unit fast-casual sandwich chain said it intends to grow to 2,000 locations in the next decade and become a largely franchised operation.

Financing

For Sweetgreen, margins remain a big hurdle

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 03, 2022

The fast-casual, in its first earnings report as a public company, said it expects its first-quarter restaurant-level margins to be between 10% and 11% despite growing sales.

Technology

Applebee’s and IHOP are getting a high-tech makeover

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 02, 2022

Parent Dine Brands is investing heavily in new POS systems, a loyalty program and other technology, which it views as key to long-term growth.

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