Los Angeles fires, Outback president, Panera
Fires continue to rage across Los Angeles as operators and workers continue to lose homes and jobs. Outback Steakhouse has a new leader. And more changes are coming to Panera.
Jan 10, 2025•4 min
Restaurant Daily
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation's Restaurant News.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
Los Angeles fires, KFC, Delta-Uber Eats
Fires are raging in Los Angeles, with some iconic restaurants among the devastation. KFC is working on a transformation plan. And Uber Eats has a new, high-flying partnership.
Jan 09, 2025•5 min
Panera CEO, McDonald’s McValue, Taco Bell
Panera’s CEO has stepped down. The McValue menu is officially here. And Taco Bell refuses to be outdone.
Jan 08, 2025•5 min
McDonald’s DEI, congestion pricing, Hickory Tavern
McDonald’s is changing its diversity and inclusion strategy. New York City restaurants are fretting over congestion pricing. And a 20-unit casual-dining concept has been acquired.
Jan 07, 2025•7 min
It's the Restaurant Daily blooper reel
Welcome to a very special edition of Restaurant Daily, as we round up some of our favorite gaffes of 2024. The podcast is taking a holiday break but will return with a new (blooper-free) episode on Jan. 7. Happy holidays and thank you for listening.
Dec 23, 2024•3 min
Work-life balance, Darden earnings, Jersey Mike’s
Chefs are getting creative when it comes to work-life balance. Olive Garden got a boost from all-you-can-eat pasta. Plus, it’s been a big year for Jersey Mike’s.
Dec 20, 2024•4 min
QSR traffic, Starbucks union, spinoff concepts
Traffic finally turned positive for QSRs this fall. The union drive has come home to Starbucks. And why are so many legacy brands spinning off new concepts?
Dec 19, 2024•5 min
KFC’s new concept, Grubhub-FTC, Boston Market-India
KFC is launching a new restaurant concept. Grubhub owes millions of dollars to settle a lawsuit brought by the FTC. And Boston Market is expanding again. Just not in the U.S.
Dec 18, 2024•6 min
Starbucks, insurance liability, Buffalo Wild Wings
Starbucks is increasing parental leave for baristas. Insurers could be liable for lost pandemic sales after all. And Buffalo Wild Wings is celebrating the Heisman Trophy winner.
Dec 17, 2024•6 min
McDonald’s On the Go, Raising Cane’s marketing, LAX worker pay
McDonald’s is debuting a new store format. Raising Cane’s is flexing its marketing mojo. And workers at LAX are getting a big pay bump.
Dec 16, 2024•4 min
Papa Johns plans, Fertitta ambassador, Domino’s move
Papa Johns is laying out its growth mindset. Might one well-known restaurateur become the next ambassador to Italy? Plus, Domino’s is making a big move.
Dec 13, 2024•5 min
Dave & Buster’s, Krispy Kreme, menu inflation
Dave & Buster’s is looking for a new CEO. Krispy Kreme was hit with a cyberattack. And restaurant menu inflation is normalizing.
Dec 12, 2024•6 min
Starbucks China, SPB, meal deals
Starbucks China is looking to grow. SPB sold a group of brewery concept. And a meal-deal battle is brewing at casual-dining chains.
Dec 11, 2024•6 min
Eegee’s bankruptcy, Taco Bell Live Mas, restaurant pay
Another small restaurant chain has declared bankruptcy. Taco Bell’s flashy menu preview is returning. And full-service restaurant pay has increased. A lot.
Dec 10, 2024•6 min
Hiring, TGI Fridays, Taco Bell
Restaurant hiring accelerated in November. TGI Fridays’ former CEO wants to buy some of the chain’s bankrupt restaurants. And Taco Bell is testing a new beverage concept.
Dec 09, 2024•6 min
Top 500, Chipotle prices, McDonald’s Snack Wrap
Here’s a sneak peek at next year’s Top 500 list. Chipotle is raising prices for the first time in a year. And McDonald’s is bringing back a customer favorite.
Dec 06, 2024•7 min
Tim Hortons, Cherry Bounce, trademark lawsuit
More Canadians means more Tim Hortons. Cherry Bounce Hospitality picked up a hot chicken concept on the rebound. And a tiny chain is suing Smashburger over trademark issues.
Dec 05, 2024•5 min
McDonald’s E. coli, Pizza Hut prototype, Chi-Chi’s
The investigation into the recent McDonald’s E. coli outbreak is now closed. Pizza Hut’s new design looks like a fast-food concept. And one long-dead Mexican chain appears to be prepping for a return. Welcome to Restaurant Daily, a quick look at the industry’s top stories from the editors of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business. I’m RB Managing Editor Heather Lalley.
Dec 04, 2024•7 min
BurgerFi, cucumbers, Pinstripes
BurgerFi has sold all its assets. Some cucumbers may be contaminated with salmonella. And Pinstripes’ losses have deepened.
Dec 03, 2024•6 min
Subway CEO, Starbucks, Thanksgiving
Subway is looking for a new CEO. Starbucks workers are struggling to track their hours this week. And should restaurants expect a Thanksgiving boost?
Nov 27, 2024•4 min
McDonald’s traffic, Tom’s Watch CEOs, dipping
The recent E. coli outbreak caused McDonald’s traffic to plunge. Tom’s Watch Bar has new leadership. And dipping is taking over menus.
Nov 26, 2024•4 min
McDonald’s and Subway value meals, restaurant openings, Gott’s Roadside
McDonald’s adds a new value platform while Subway scraps its meal deal. A look at recent independent restaurant openings. And a northern California burger chain is heading south.
Nov 25, 2024•6 min
Beef recall, Jack in the Box, Starbucks-China
Ground beef is being recalled because of contamination fears. Jack in the Box sales are improving. And Starbucks is still considering its China options.
Nov 22, 2024•6 min
Frisch’s owner, Baja Fresh, California wages
Frisch’s Big Boy found a new owner at the last minute. The tale of Baja Fresh is an object lesson for emerging chains. And California voters opted not to raise the state’s minimum wage.
Nov 21, 2024•8 min
Jersey Mike’s, McDonald’s, Wendy’s
Jersey Mike’s has a new majority owner. McDonald’s has a problem with its espresso machines. And Wendy’s continues to shake up its C-suite.
Nov 20, 2024•4 min
Top 100 independent restaurants, overtime rule, Salad & Go
The top 100 independent restaurant list is out. The overtime rule is overturned. And the CEO of Salad & Go is stepping down.
Nov 19, 2024•7 min
McDonald’s, childcare, fast-casual pizza bankruptcy
McDonald’s is making a big investment in marketing after its e. Coli incident. The industry is making strides toward more affordable childcare. And you can add another fast-casual pizza chain to the roster of those that have filed for bankruptcy this year.
Nov 18, 2024•6 min
Greg Flynn-Applebee’s, California fast-food wage, Cracker Barrel
Franchisee Greg Flynn still believes in the power of casual dining. Here’s how much California’s boosted fast-food wage is impacting traffic. And things are looking up for Cracker Barrel.
Nov 15, 2024•6 min
Wonder-Grubhub, NLRB rules, CAVA
Virtual food hall company Wonder plans to acquire Grubhub. The NLRB ruled on so-called captive-audience sessions. And CAVA’s momentum continues.
Nov 14, 2024•8 min
Subway prototype, restaurant M&A, Starbucks delivery
Subway has a new high-tech prototype. Restaurant M&A has a brighter future next year. And Starbucks is adding delivery options to its app.
Nov 12, 2024•5 min
Hosted on Spotify for Creators (Anchor)
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android