Consumer Trends

Fast food has lost its reputation as a cheap meal

Years of price hikes are driving consumers to grocery stores and even full-service restaurants, which are now viewed by some as a better deal.

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Restaurant Business Exclusive Content

Emerging Brands

How Mr. Pickle's is playing the value game with sandwich sizes

The California-born chain known for Dutch Crunch rolls is borrowing a page from Goldilocks and rolling out a mid-sized sandwich that gives guests a more-profitable reason to visit.

Financing

Two companies learn the hard way that running restaurants is difficult

The Bottom Line: Red Lobster and Topgolf were both acquired by companies outside the restaurant industry. Those companies have learned just how competitive the business is.

Financing

Restaurant buyers have little interest in actual restaurants

The Bottom Line: There is a clear line in what restaurant chain buyers want right now. They want franchisors, not the restaurants themselves.