Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast

Nation's Restaurant News
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Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast

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. 4 DAYS AGO

    Dutch Bros’ torrid pace, McDonald’s bumpy road, low-income consumers tighten belts

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss recent earnings reports from major restaurant companies, results of which have so far been a mixed bag. First up is Dutch Bros, which just crossed the 1,000-unit mark and enjoyed massive sales growth in 2024. Could its ceiling be even higher than the 4,000-unit goal it set for itself? On the other hand there’s McDonald’s, where sales have continued to be sluggish in the wake of its E. coli outbreak in the fall. Could the real issue be low-income consumers, who seem to be pulling back on restaurant spending in the midst of economic turmoil? Sam and Alicia discuss. In this week’s extra serving, senior editor Joanna Fantozzi joins to talk about the recent National Restaurant Association State of the Industry report, which found that operators aren’t entirely satisfied with their technology investments. Finally, we share an interview between senior F&B editor Bret Thorn and Marco’s Pizza’s director of culinary innovation, Kathleen Kennedy.   For more on these stories:   How Dutch Bros wins with customization, connection, and speed McDonald’s still has some work to do to recover from its E. coli outbreak The restaurant industry’s challenge this year is to win back lower-income consumers

    55 min

  2. FEB 10

    Chipotle’s winning ways, Yum’s new AI division, and restaurant growth in 2025

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the news that Dine Brands is laying off 9% of its corporate workforce as Applebee’s and IHOP continue to languish with stagnant sales and traffic. How might these chains capture some momentum like full-service peer Chili’s? Plus, Chipotle reported positive sales and transaction growth in Q4; Sam and Alicia talk about the keys to its impressive performance and how CEO Scott Boatwright has maintained consistent growth in his first few months on the job. And the National Restaurant Association released its annual State of the Industry report, noting that foodservice establishments could cross $1.5 trillion in sales in 2025. In this week’s extra serving, Restaurant Business editor in chief Jonathan Maze joins to talk about Yum Brands, which just announced Byte by Yum, an AI-powered division aimed at achieving tech efficiencies across Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger. Finally, Sam shares an interview he recently had with Roberto Espinosa, founder of Tacodeli, a taco fast casual based in Austin that has 14 locations around Texas.   For more on these stories:   Chipotle’s priorities include modernizing the kitchen and being ‘guest obsessed’ IHOP, Applebee’s parent company confirms corporate layoffs Yum Brands has created an AI-powered platform to house all of its technology solutions The restaurant industry is projected to reach $1.5 trillion in sales this year

    1h 8m

  3. FEB 3

    Chili’s eye-popping results, Chuck E. Cheese rebound, and exciting new menu collabs

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the never-ending news cycle that is Starbucks, where new CEO Brian Niccol has welcomed some familiar faces into the executive suite and instituted several operational changes designed to improve sales and traffic. Plus they talk about Chili’s, which announced a staggering 31.4% same-store sales increase in its most recent quarter, the direct result of massively popular campaigns like the Triple Dipper appetizer and the company’s commitment to social media influencer marketing. And Chuck E. Cheese seems to be reaping the rewards of a $350 million turnaround investment; what does this mean for the future of eatertainment? In this week’s extra serving, senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn joins to talk about new menu items around the industry, particularly collaborations between organizations like Wendy’s and Girl Scouts with the Thin Mint Frosty. Finally, hear from more experts at the recent ICR Conference in Orlando, as senior editor Joanna Fantozzi shares some insights from executives at Dutch Bros, Shake Shack, and Cracker Barrel.   For more on these stories:   Starbucks announces more executive changes ahead of earnings call Chili’s 31.4% same-store sales increase in Q2 allows for investments Chuck E. Cheese reaps the rewards of its investments

    51 min

  4. JAN 27

    New loyalty programs, Starbucks’ layoffs, Hot ‘n Now’s resurrection campaign

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the news that Hot ‘n Now — a Michigan-based burger quick serve that once had 150 locations but is now down to just one — is planning to jumpstart growth again, spearheaded by a developer who plans to use modular build-outs. In the wake of the news that Chi-Chi’s and Steak & Ale would also be resurrected, could we be seeing a wave of nostalgia for once-dormant brands? Plus, they talk about new and improved loyalty programs from restaurants like Portillo’s, Potbelly, Red Robin, and Denny’s, and how loyalty plays a role in restaurant companies’ ongoing efforts to jumpstart traffic. Speaking of Denny’s, Sam and Alicia chat about the family dining chain’s announcement that it planned to return to net new unit growth in 2026 after closing 150 underperforming locations; while 150 closed locations may sound like a lot, Sam and Alicia share why they think this could be a positive move for Denny’s. And in this week’s extra serving, senior editor Joanna Fantozzi joins to talk about Starbucks’ announcement that it would lay off a number of corporate employees. Finally, hear from executives at ICR about their growth strategies in 2025.  For more on these stories:   Hot ‘n Now is planning a comeback this year ICR takeaways: Efficiency, value adjustments, smaller boxes, cautious optimism Denny’s plans to get back to net unit growth by 2026 Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol foreshadows possible layoffs

    55 min

  5. JAN 17

    Shake Shack’s big growth goals, Papa Johns’ course correction, Twin Peaks’ IPO

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the biggest headlines coming out of the ICR Conference, which was held last week in Orlando. First they talk about Papa Johns, whose CEO, Todd Penegor, said the company would leverage local-store marketing, tech investments, and menu innovation to turn sales around. Next up is Shake Shack, which is aiming to nearly quadruple its store count through smaller boxes and drive thrus, according to CEO Rob Lynch. Then they talk about Portillo’s, which energized shareholders by committing to more growth in its restaurant of the future. Finally, in this week’s extra serving, senior editor Ron Rugglessjoins to talk about Twin Peaks and its plan to file its IPO on January 30.    For more on these stories:   Papa Johns CEO looks to address past missteps with a back-to-basics strategy Shake Shack quadruples target footprint to 1,500 stores Portillo’s plan to drive traffic includes computer vision, loyalty On cusp of IPO, Twin Peaks CEO shares how sports bar chain has redefined category

    53 min

  6. JAN 13

    Why M&A is picking up, McDonald's reworks big policy, KFC aims to transform

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss McDonald's announcement that it would walk back its official DEI policy, and why restaurants still must aim to diversify their talent pipelines. Plus they talk about KFC and its transformation plan; will this finally bring momentum the brand so desperately needs? Finally, managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister joins for this week’s extra serving to discuss how merger and acquisition activity is already building in 2025, and what that means for smaller regional brands in particular.

    41 min

  7. JAN 6

    Two early trends for 2025, Noodles & Co.’s struggles, and the potential in breakfast

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss two trends that have already made themselves known in the early days of 2025: value menus and beverage innovation. How might these two trends influence the restaurant industry in the year ahead? And how can restaurants put value menus to work for them without getting stuck with discounted prices? Plus they discuss Noodles & Co., which received a warning from NASDAQ that it would be delisted if it could not get its stock price above $1 per share. Find out what Alicia and Sam think is the brand’s biggest problem. Finally, senior editor Joanna Fantozzi joins for this week’s extra serving to discuss White Castle’s French Toast Sliders and what role breakfast might play in restaurant growth this year.    For more on these stories:   Del Taco rings in the New Year with new value offerings Noodles & Company receives delisting warning   White Castle brings French Toast Sliders back in the New Year

    42 min

  8. 12/20/2024

    KFC’s new tenders brand, Darden’s impressive performance, PizzaExpress’s plans for the U.S.

    On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss KFC’s new Saucy concept, a spinoff brand opening in Orlando that is built around chicken tenders plus a wide variety of sauces and beverages. Why might KFC be going in this direction? And why are so many legacy chains launching spinoff concepts? Plus they discuss the biggest headlines of 2024’s second half and the announcement from major U.K. pizza chain PizzaExpress that it plans to grow in the U.S. Finally, managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister joins for this week’s extra serving to discuss Darden’s earnings report that shows positive sales for four of its casual-dining chains. Does this point to optimism in the casual-dining category?    For more on these stories:   Stream the Holiday Drinked-In Live with Ron Ruggless and the NRN Editorial Team KFC is introducing a new tenders-focused concept called Saucy

    43 min
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4
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

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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