Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast

Nation's Restaurant News

Extra Serving is a series of weekly podcasts hosted by the editorial team at Nation’s Restaurant News, the leading source for information and insights on the American restaurant industry. Covering the latest and most relevant topics in foodservice — including emerging chains, food trends, technology, and more — Extra Serving features a recap of the week’s biggest headlines, plus guests ranging from restaurant owners and operators to CEOs, founders, chefs, and other experts.

  1. hace 14 h

    Jersey Mike’s IPO, restaurant closures, and concerning jobs numbers

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Jersey Mike’s imminent IPO, the latest jobs report, and a trend in mass restaurant closures. Fresh off an exciting weekend of World Cup action, Sam and Alicia start with the summer of marketing initiatives, which have leaned heavily into the World Cup as well as America’s 250th anniversary and blockbuster movie promotions. Restaurant marketers are just doing their jobs, but are these campaigns breaking through the noise? Sam and Alicia break down some examples and the best ways that brands are connecting with consumers. Next they discuss the latest jobs data, which showed restaurants shedding about 33,000 jobs in June — a concerning statistic considering it’s the first full month of summer. Sam and Alicia walk through the many reasons for this retrenchment in jobs and discuss why it could be bad news for an industry desperate to turn sales and traffic around in 2026. They then shift their attention to restaurant closures, and Alicia shares her recent reporting on how there’s been an uptick in restaurant chains closing a sizable chunk of their systems. What could be to blame? And how should the industry respond to this kind of trend? Sam and Alicia break it down. Then, some positive news: Jersey Mike’s filed its S-1 document in the latest step toward what is anticipated to be a massive IPO. Sam and Alicia talk about why Jersey Mike’s is perfectly positioned for the public markets — and why the best could still yet to be come for the chain. Finally, they close out with a Quick Fire round in which they cover Just Salad’s addition of New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson as equity partner, Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp-related lawsuit, and El Pollo Loco’s efforts to go national. For more on these stories: The restaurant industry helped birth America and is now celebrating its 250th anniversary Restaurants and bars shed a lot of jobs in June Jersey Mike’s makes its IPO official

    48 min

  2. 29 jun

    Domino’s CEO’s surprising announcement, LongHorn Steakhouse’s shocking performance, and a bevy of Starbucks news

    In this week’s episode of Extra Serving, hosts Alicia Kelso and Leigh Anne Zinsmeister dive into the latest developments shaping the restaurant industry. Domino’s Pizza makes headlines as CEO Russell Weiner announces his retirement, leaving big shoes to fill for successor Joe Jordan. The duo discusses the legacy of bold campaigns and market share dominance that defined Weiner’s tenure. Meanwhile, Darden Restaurants continues to impress with a stellar fourth-quarter performance, driven by Longhorn Steakhouse’s record-breaking sales and Olive Garden’s steady growth. How do they stay so dominant while other casual-dining chains suffer? The conversation also explores Starbucks’ innovative new “coffeehouse coach” role, designed to improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Starbucks also announced a new initiative to encourage employees to promote the brand on TikTok. Will it work, or blow up in the company’s face? In the Quick Fire round,Alicia and Leigh Anne discuss Wendy’s meme-ification, Taco Bell’s gamified emotional support taco program, and the industry’s summer hiring outlook. For more on these stories: • Russell Weiner to retire as Domino’s CEO • Surging LongHorn Steakhouse powers growth for Darden • Starbucks plans to hire thousands of new “coffeehouse coach” roles

    47 min

  3. 22 jun

    Pizza Hut’s sale, Jersey Mike’s new crown, KFC’s next chapter

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Yum! Brands’ sale of Pizza Hut, Jersey Mike’s overtaking of Chick-fil-A in a major consumer sentiment study, and KFC’s announcement that it was entering a new chapter for growth. First up is Pizza Hut, which was officially sold by Yum! Brands in two transactions totaling $2.7 billion. Sam and Alicia discuss the potential future of the brand, and particularly its U.S. business, which was acquired by relatively new private equity firm LongRange Capital. Can Pizza Hut reclaim the loyalty of fans who are nostalgic for its Classic model? Next up they talk about the most recent American Consumer Satisfaction Index, in which Jersey Mike’s came out on top — after 11 years of Chick-fil-A taking the crown. Should Chick-fil-A be worried? Sam and Alicia break down the study and why the data matters (to a point). They then transition to KFC, which announced a new “chapter” in which the company would focus on menu innovation, refreshed branding, and modernized stores. Alicia breaks down all the components of this new chapter, and she and Sam talk about how KFC is well positioned to learn from its global stores here in the U.S. They shift their attention to the increase in store closures — On the Border, for example, is now down to only 6 units — before closing with a Quick Fire round in which they cover Panera Bread’s new bowls and McDonald’s (brief) reintroduction of its beloved Apple Pie. For more on these stories: Pizza Hut to be sold to LongRange Capital Jersey Mike's steals customer satisfaction crown from Chick-fil-A KFC unveils its 'next chapter'

    47 min

  4. 15 jun

    Cracker Barrel claws back, KFC explores table service, and menu innovations galore

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Cracker Barrel’s newfound momentum, KFC’s ongoing revitalization, and a menu innovation boom across the industry. First up is Cracker Barrel, which is continuing in its comeback after last year’s controversial rebrand derailed growth. In its most recent quarter, Cracker Barrel experienced a same-store sales decline of 2.6% and traffic decline of 6.7% — not great, but better than expected and enough for the company to raise its guidance for the year. Sam and Alicia discuss why this is good news for Cracker Barrel and how CEO Julie Felss Masino has made the right moves to get this brand back on track. Next they tackle KFC, which has experienced three consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth after seven straight negative quarters. KFC’s U.S. president Catherine Tan-Gillespie spoke with Alicia about the keys to that reversal, and Alicia shares those details on the pod, plus she and Sam talk about how KFC is competing within an ever-more-competitive chicken category. Then they shift attention to menu innovation across the restaurant industry, which has recently seen a lot of brands expand into new menu platforms — for example, Freddy’s bowl introduction, Sweetgreen’s wraps, and Crisp & Green’s sandwiches. Sam and Alicia talk about how these new menu introductions could help chains, and they discuss beef prices in particular, which could climb higher with rise of the flesh-eating screwworm. Finally, we share an interview between senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn and Culver’s head of culinary, Kasey McDonald. For more on these stories: Cracker Barrel says recovery from logo fallout is ahead of schedule KFC brings its Supergirl collaboration on the road Carbs be damned, Crisp & Green is adding sandwiches

    1 h 10 min

  5. 8 jun

    McDonald’s new strategy, World Cup marketing, and creative pricing

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including McDonald’s new corporate strategy, the World Cup’s plentiful promotions, and how brands are strategically leveraging pricing in their marketing. First up is McDonald’s, which announced its new McDonald’s Next corporate strategy that emphasizes operational efficiency and hospitality. Alicia details what exactly this means before she and Sam discuss how the strategy fits into the broader industry push toward operational excellence and what it could look like for the No. 1 restaurant brand in the world. Next they dive into the World Cup, which kicks off this week and could be a boon to restaurant companies looking for a marketing win. Learn more about how some bigger chains are riding the World Cup’s coattails — and how it could help reshape the summer for many brands. That leads naturally into a conversation on recent restaurant marketing efforts — particularly those centered around pricing. Alicia recently wrote a story about how restaurants are marketing to families through strategic pricing initiatives, and she and Sam talk about pricing in general and how companies are getting creative with their prices to attract young consumers. Finally, in the Quick Fire portion of the episode, Sam and Alicia discuss recent headlines about the retirement of Yum Brands’ influential COO, the struggles at Shake Shack, and the new THC beverage test at Logan’s Roadhouse. For more on these stories: McDonald’s next evolution includes menu, service and technology upgrades Restaurant chains kick off a World Cup marketing barrage Restaurant chains are turning their attention to families

    41 min

  6. 1 jun

    Wendy’s new CEO, Starbucks AI walk-back, and CAVA’s big quarter

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Wendy’s hiring a new CEO, Starbucks ditching an AI tool, and CAVA cruising in the first quarter. First up is Wendy’s, which announced that it was hiring former Potbelly CEO Bob Wright as its next CEO. Wright had three previous stints as an executive at Wendy’s, and Sam and Alicia discuss how this move could be the missing ingredient to Wendy’s badly needed turnaround. Next they tackle Starbucks, which is ditching an AI inventory tool it had introduced just nine months ago after experiencing accuracy issues. In a world where AI seems to be taking over all aspects of our lives, it’s noteworthy that Starbucks joins McDonald’s, Yum Brands, and others in pausing investments in AI. Sam and Alicia break down the news and what it could mean about AI in restaurants going forward. They then discuss CAVA and its most recent quarter, in which the fast-casual Mediterranean chain reported 9.7% same-store sales growth. How does the brand continue to defy odds and build momentum? Finally, in the Quick Fire portion of the episode, Sam and Alicia discuss recent headlines about movie promotions and an international brand that’s exiting the U.S. For more on these stories: Bob Wright returns to Wendy’s as its CEO Starbucks is ending its use of AI to count inventory CAVA raises guidance after a strong 1Q

    37 min

  7. 26 may

    Trends to watch according to the National Restaurant Association Show

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso sit down after three days at the National Restaurant Association Show — the biggest foodservice event in the Western Hemisphere, featuring more than 55,000 foodservice professionals from 112 countries and roughly 2,300 exhibitors — to discuss some of the biggest trends they saw from the show floor. This includes innovations in beverage (dirty soda, anyone?), sauces, artificial intelligence, equipment, and much more. Sam and Alicia recap all of the highlights from the show, and share anecdotes they picked up from operators at their exclusive news desk on the show floor. For more from the Restaurant Show: Here's what we liked about this year's National Restaurant Association Show, and what we didn’t Restaurant industry navigates ‘complex’ consumer landscape as sentiment hits all-time low 29th annual MenuMasters Awards ceremony honors chefs and innovators from across the industry

    28 min

  8. 18 may

    Jack in the Box’s leadership shakeup, Papa Johns' retail move, and 2025’s winners and losers

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Jack in the Box’s CEO transition, Papa Johns’ big retail play, and results from the most recent Top 500. First up is Jack in the Box, which replaced CEO Lance Tucker after just over a year on the job with interim CEO Mark King — former CEO of Taco Bell. Sam and Alicia share whether they’re surprised by this move and discuss what King may need to do to get Jack in the Box back on track. Next they tackle Papa Johns, which has made several moves lately, from testing drone delivery to partnering with the “Toy Story” franchise to providing a home for stranded Spirit Airlines loyalty points. This week it also announced that it would roll out its signature garlic sauce to retail shelves. Will this sway loyal fans — or cannibalize restaurant sales? Sam and Alicia discuss. They then turn their attention to the most recent Technomic Top 500, which reveals sales and unit count information for the 500 biggest chains in the U.S. Sam and Alicia unpack the results, and particularly performance in the pizza, burger, and chicken categories. Which brands and categories won in 2025 — and which are on the fence? Listen to find out. Finally, we share an interview between senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn and Naya head of R&D Khalfani Coicou. For more on these stories: Jack in the Box names Mark King interim CEO Papa Johns' signature garlic sauce will hit retail shelves The Top 500 Restaurants Subscribe to Technomic Ignite by clicking here.

    1 h 10 min
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Extra Serving is a series of weekly podcasts hosted by the editorial team at Nation’s Restaurant News, the leading source for information and insights on the American restaurant industry. Covering the latest and most relevant topics in foodservice — including emerging chains, food trends, technology, and more — Extra Serving features a recap of the week’s biggest headlines, plus guests ranging from restaurant owners and operators to CEOs, founders, chefs, and other experts.

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