Jonathan Maze

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In Red Lobster, a symbol of the challenges with casual dining

The Bottom Line: Consumers have shifted dining toward convenience or occasions, and that has created havoc for full-service restaurant chains. How can these companies get customers back?

The 10 largest restaurant chains in the U.S.

Technomic Top 500: Here are the country's 10 largest restaurant chains by sales, according to the Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.

Higher prices and more locations drove chain restaurant sales last year

Technomic Top 500: Chain restaurants continued to record strong growth last year, but mostly without higher traffic. And there were wide variations in performance throughout the ranking.

Crumbl may be the next frozen yogurt, or the next Krispy Kreme

The Bottom Line: With word that the chain’s unit volumes took a nosedive last year, its future, and that of its operators, depends on what the brand does next.

For Papa Murphy's, a cut in SNAP benefits came at a bad time

The take-and-bake pizza chain saw a steep drop in sales from customers on SNAP benefits, just as weather and consumer concerns hit restaurants.

High restaurant menu prices mean high customer expectations

The Bottom Line: Diners are paying high prices to eat out at all kinds of restaurants these days. And they’re picking winners and losers.

Quick-service restaurants had a tough first quarter

Was it weather? Or was it prices? Either way, fast-food restaurants have started the year off on the wrong foot, according to traffic data.

Podcast transcript: Puttshack CEO Joe Vrankin

A Deeper Dive: The chief executive of the minigolf-centric restaurant chain discusses how the chain focuses on higher-quality games and food.

Fast-growing Crumbl's unit volumes and store profitability took a hit last year

Average unit volume for the cookie chain declined 37% last year even as location count grew 41%. Per-store profits were cut by 58%.

Indiana files an administrative complaint against I Heart Mac and Cheese

The state, which has already told the company to stop selling franchises, is accusing the fast-casual chain of violating state franchise law.

The story behind the fast-growing minigolf concept Puttshack

A Deeper Dive: Joe Vrankin, CEO of the eatertainment chain, joins the Restaurant Business podcast to discuss the company’s growth, its menu and high-tech minigolf.

Restaurant menu prices show signs of easing

Prices at restaurants increased slower than the overall rate of inflation in March. But they still increased faster than they did at the grocery store.

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