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Casual Dining

Emerging Brands

3 concepts from Asia are making their U.S. debut

 By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 25, 2024

These three chains are big in Asia and elsewhere, but they opened units in the U.S. for the first time last week. Two are full-service concepts, from China and Mongolia, and a third is an innovative pastry shop from Taiwan.

Leadership

Red Lobster names restructuring expert as new CEO

 By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 22, 2024

Industry veteran Jonathan Tibus will take the reins as owner Thai Union Group prepares to sell the seafood chain. He replaces Horace Dawson, who is retiring.

Financing

Lower-income consumers pull back at Olive Garden

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 21, 2024

Guests earning less than $75,000 are visiting the casual-dining chain much less than last year, parent Darden Restaurants said Thursday.

Operations

Early birds are perking up traffic at Olive Garden

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 19, 2024

More customers are visiting the Italian casual-dining chain in the late afternoon and early evening, which has helped lift transactions, according to data from Placer.ai.

Financing

Is Chili's cheaper than McDonald's? It's complicated

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 18, 2024

Fast-food price increases have made price points between the two brands closer than ever. But there is a better comparison for the casual-dining restaurant chain.

Financing

BJ's adds ex-Darden CFO Brad Richmond to board in deal with activist investor

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 05, 2024

The agreement between BJ's and Fund 1 Investments will also create a new board committee focused on improving shareholder value.

Financing

Red Robin sells 10 restaurants for $24M in sale-leaseback deal

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 04, 2024

It’s the third such deal over the past year for the chain, which will use the proceeds to pay down debt.

Marketing

Searching for traffic, Red Robin plans to tout free refills

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 29, 2024

The chain has earmarked $3 million to remind customers of the more than 30 bottomless options on its menu.

Operations

Applebee's and IHOP eye co-branded locations in the U.S.

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 28, 2024

Dual locations have generated strong returns overseas and could provide a spark to the chains’ domestic development.

Leadership

Joe Essa named president, COO of Yardbird

By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 27, 2024

Known for his work with Wolfgang Puck Worldwide and Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, Essa is tasked with helping the casual-dining concept grow around the world.

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