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Operations

What to learn from two brands dubbed 'the next Chipotle'

 By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 08, 2023

Cava, the newly public fast-casual chain called "the next Chipotle" by investors, and Noodles & Co., which held that title a decade ago, just reported two very different quarters that are a study in contrasts—and offer a warning for Cava.

Consumer Trends

Consumers tighten their restaurant budgets, but mainly on the margins

 By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 08, 2023

Lower-income people are clearly pulling back, while higher earners and families show resilience, according to new data.

Marketing

How Hilltop Steak House would draw 3 million guests a year

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 07, 2023

Restaurant Rewind: The 1,500-seat, $30 million-a-year landmark may have been the restaurant industry’s greatest value story.

Financing

Why restaurants will have to rethink price hikes in 2024

By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 06, 2023

Consumers have been resilient. But they’re also paying more for food than ever before. Operators may need to look beyond price increases next year.

Workforce

California's wage law could pave the way for $18 Big Macs

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 06, 2023

Working Lunch: A McDonald's in Connecticut is already charging that much for a combo featuring the signature sandwich. Might that become the threshold in the industry's largest restaurant market?

Operations

How California's fast-food bill will impact Chipotle's menu prices

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 26, 2023

Company officials say the required wage hike next year will increase labor costs up to 3%. And that cost will be passed on to consumers.

Financing

Restaurant prices keep rising faster than inflation

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 12, 2023

Food away-from-home prices continue rising faster than grocery prices, even as they are more muted from previous years’ increases.

Financing

Restaurants still look expensive, and consumers are reacting

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 20, 2023

The Bottom Line: Restaurants have stepped off the pricing gas. But sales are slowing and traffic is weak, and more operators are turning to price promotions.

Operations

Beef inflation pushes average burger price close to $16

By Joe Guszkowski on Sep. 11, 2023

The price of a burger rose about 2% from November to June as beef prices remained stubbornly high, according to data from Toast.

Financing

The restaurant check has grown entirely too complicated

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 16, 2023

The Bottom Line: Service fees, health care fees, more tipping demands and higher prices have made the process of paying a bill more complex than ever. It may be time to rethink this.

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