It is becoming clear that delivery in the US isn’t working for anyone, Empower Delivery CEO Meredith Sandland, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Sandland sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why consumers, restaurant owners and drivers are unhappy with the current state of delivery and what can be done to improve the experience for all parties. She also comments on the state of ghost kitchens and Amazon....
Jul 08, 2024•33 min
Restaurant real estate is expensive and vacancy is low, motivating chains to pivot to alternative formats and omni-channel development including nontraditional units, Full Course Founder and CEO Lauren Fernandez tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Fernandez sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss smart growth strategies for emerging brands. She also comments on lending weakness, opportunities in the M&A m...
Jun 17, 2024•38 min
Cultivated meat can give customers a product they love without the negative impact to the environment, Meatable Founder and Chief Technical Officer Daan Luining tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Luining sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how cultivated meat is produced and why it may be more attractive to consumers than plant-based options. He also comments on adoption rates, distribution models and re...
Jun 04, 2024•28 min
The volume of restaurant mergers and acquisitions remains well below 2019-21 levels, but private-market activity is starting to pick up, Harrington Park Advisors Founder and Managing Director Ashish Seth tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Seth sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the state of the M&A market, including investors’ preference for franchised brands over company-owned ones. He also comment...
May 14, 2024•50 min
No-shows remain in the 20% range in the fine-dining industry, Head of Tock Matt Tucker tells Bloomberg Intelligence, despite demand that far outstrips supply, hurting unit profitability. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Tucker sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the prepayment of reservations can help fine-dining establishments maximize revenue. He also comments on the shift to earlier dinner reservations, the state of the M&am...
May 02, 2024•48 min
Puttshack owns a global concept patent on automatic scoring in miniature golf, CEO Joe Vrankin, tells Bloomberg Intelligence, creating a barrier to entry for its competitors. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Vrankin sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company has used technology to reinvent the game and paired it with a food and cocktail menu to attract the coveted 21-39 year-old demographic. He also comments on Puttshack’s...
Apr 23, 2024•37 min
Foodservice distribution capacity is very tight, Datum FS Founder and President David Maloni tells Bloomberg Intelligence, contributing to higher prices for their restaurant customers. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Maloni sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how higher distribution and labor expenses are contributing to inflation in the restaurant supply chain. He also comments on feed costs, Section 204 of the the FDA Food Safet...
Apr 11, 2024•39 min
Global bubble-tea sales could double or triple to more than $5 billion in the next 5-6 years, Gong cha Global President of the Americas Geoff Henry tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Henry sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to explain how the company is capitalizing on shifts in the global beverage landscape. He comments on Gong cha’s customer demographics and unit economics, as well as its shift to a direct franc...
Apr 03, 2024•31 min
The Israel-Hamas war is a bigger issue for McDonald’s and Starbucks than many other food chains due to reputational risk, deeper sales declines and greater exposure to high-impact countries like Jordan, Egypt and Morocco, Shatranj Capital Partners co-founder and general partner Brandon Guthrie tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Guthrie sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to explain how the war has affected sales in...
Mar 21, 2024•39 min
Restaurant chains are revamping loyalty programs this year because they aren’t working, Thanx CEO and Founder Zach Goldstein tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Goldstein sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to explain what loyalty programs must accomplish to successfully drive traffic. He also comments on AI, dynamic pricing and the cycles of all-in-one tech. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 11, 2024•26 min
Salad and Go’s mission -- to make fresh, nutritious food affordable and convenient for all -- is unique in the restaurant industry, CEO Charlie Morrison tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Morrison sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to explain how the company’s vertically integrated approach allows it to sell salads and wraps for under $7. He also comments on this year’s plans to boost brand awareness as well as it...
Mar 01, 2024•32 min
Collaboration and alignment between restaurant operations and marketing teams is critical to driving traffic without hurting the guest experience, Ray Johnson, Founder of ReCee’s Leadership Consulting Group, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Johnson sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how better employee retention and ease of execution can generate long-term, sustainable sales growth. He also commented ...
Feb 12, 2024•45 min
Fogo de Chao doesn’t build a site pipeline until it has three years of visibility into the development of general managers, CEO Barry McGowan tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, McGowan sits down with Michael Halen, BI’s senior restaurant and food service analyst, to explain how the company’s investments in its employees are fueling strong sales and traffic growth. McGowan also comments on Fogo de Chao’s acquisition by Bain Capital and explains how a uniq...
Feb 01, 2024•36 min
Mexican fast casual is the only dining category that doesn’t have a list of 20 mature competitors slugging it out for market share, CEO of Modern Restaurant Concepts John Cywinski tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Cywinski sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss Qdoba Mexican Eats’ growth opportunity and plans to accelerate new-store development to 100 restaurants a year. He also comments on Qdoba’s move to...
Jan 23, 2024•29 min
Great franchisees will make Potbelly stronger for 20, 30 or 40 years, CEO and President Bob Wright tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Wright sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how attracting the right franchisees should enable the company to achieve 10% net unit growth this year. He also comments on the Potbelly Digital Kitchen and margin-expansion opportunities and explains what has fueled the chain’s ...
Jan 12, 2024•33 min
A record number of restaurant-tech companies could shut their doors for good in 2024, Juan George, co-founder of 858 Partners, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, George sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss difficulties facing companies that make “nice to have” restaurant technology, including raising capital, stalling top-line growth and falling valuations. He also comments on all-in-one solutions and exp...
Jan 04, 2024•33 min
Patients taking GLP-1 drugs reduce their snacking and alcohol consumption, but the overall impact on the restaurant industry will be minimal, Allan Hickok, senior advisor at the Boston Consulting Group, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Hickok sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the drugs are affecting consumer behavior. He also commented on generative AI, loyalty programs and menu pricing. See omny...
Dec 22, 2023•59 min
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers’ new flat-top grills make better burgers, improve efficiency and give the chain more menu optionality going forward, CEO and President G.J. Hart tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Hart sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to give an update on the chain’s North Star plan, which includes improved food and operations, fewer discounts and new compensation plans for market partners and single-un...
Dec 07, 2023•32 min
Restaurant CEOs seem pretty confident that sales will hold up just fine as the use of GLP-1 drugs increases, Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, Bloomberg News restaurant reporter, tells BI. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Sirtori-Cortina sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how drugs like Ozempic are forcing chains to consider salads, chicken and smaller portions. She also comments on the popularity of small indulgences amid a consumer slowd...
Nov 20, 2023•32 min
On the surface it looks like US employment is strong but labor participation is lower than pre-pandemic levels and there are nearly four million part-time workers, many of which have multiple jobs, Vivian Wang, founder and CEO of Landed, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Wang sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how fewer full-time jobs and the gig economy are impacting restaurant hiring and retention. S...
Nov 02, 2023•39 min
Honeygrow keeps G&A tight and is profitable on a net income basis, founder and CEO Justin Rosenberg tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Rosenberg sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the emerging chain’s strong unit economics and commitment to growing profitably. He also comments on Honeygrow’s development plans, stiff competition for real estate and his reluctance to raise menu prices amid higher gas ...
Oct 19, 2023•30 min
This will be a year of stealing share because the restaurant industry isn’t going to drive positive traffic, Mark Kuperman, COO of Revenue Management Solutions, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Kuperman sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why quick-service transactions, particularly at breakfast, are declining. He also commented on national promotions, labor dynamics and dynamic pricing. See omnystudio...
Oct 12, 2023•33 min
Blaze Pizza’s new, smaller format stores are half the size of existing units and cost 25-35% less to build, CEO Beto Guajardo tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Guajardo sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the chain’s US and international development plans and alternative store formats including drive-thrus. He also comments on issues like finding quality real estate, tighter financing for franchisees an...
Sep 28, 2023•39 min
“We see a lot of challenges ahead, especially for the US consumer,” Howard Penney, managing director and consumables analyst at Hedgeye Risk Management, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Penney sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss his near-term outlook for restaurant spending and which companies can thrive in a difficult environment. Spoiler alert -– large, franchise chains can outperform. He also commen...
Sep 06, 2023•40 min
The Melt’s turnaround was fueled by input from team members and customers, CEO Ralph Bower tells Bloomberg Intelligence, fueling a 400% jump in average unit volume (AUV) since 2017. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Bower sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the chain’s approach to hospitality, restaurant development, price hikes and third-party delivery. He also comments on supply chain and permitting issues, as well as the challeng...
Aug 15, 2023•49 min
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is highly focused on its franchisees and their returns on investment, President and CEO Chris Dull tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Dull sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the chain works with its partners to maximize their sales and profitability, boosting store growth. He also comments on the company’s real estate opportunities, technology improvements ...
Aug 01, 2023•26 min
Emotional connection drives consumer decisions and every marketing campaign needs to bring customers on an emotional journey to be successful, Beni Gradwohl, CEO and cofounder of Cognovi Labs, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Gradwohl sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how Cognovi uses its psychology-driven AI to form consumer behavior insights. He commented on recent struggles for Target, Bud Light a...
Jul 19, 2023•47 min
One-third of private companies in the US have all-male boards of directors and just one in seven of those seats are occupied by a woman, Jocelyn Mangan, CEO and founder of Him for Her, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Mangan sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how her non-profit organization is helping to bridge the gap between opportunities and talented women ready for board service. She also comments...
Jul 05, 2023•22 min
The digitally native restaurant could overtake fast casual and become the fastest growing concept in the US, Carl Orsbourn, co-author of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant book series and chief operating officer at Juicer, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Orsbourn sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss dynamic pricing as well as the importance of using data and converting customers to first-party from ...
Jun 21, 2023•46 min
First Watch’s one shift, one menu model has given First Watch a hiring and employment advantage, Matt Eisenacher, First Watch’s Senior VP of Brand Strategy and Innovation, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Eisenacher sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the chain’s strong turnover metrics, unit economics and expansion opportunity. He also comments on the company’s acquisition of franchised restaurants, t...
Jun 08, 2023•36 min
