The Week in Restaurants

Informa Foodservice
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dive into the dynamic world of the restaurant industry with The Week in Restaurants. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze, with rotating co-host Executive Editor Lisa Jennings or Senior Editor Joe Guskowski. This podcast delivers the latest industry news, trends, and challenges shaping the foodservice landscape. Whether you're a restaurateur, foodie, or industry enthusiast, this is your go-to source for staying informed and inspired. Look out for new episodes every Friday. Subscribe now! Restaurant Business: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/

  1. 2D AGO

    Why some pizza chains are struggling

    Why are pizza chains having problems? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the potential sales of Pizza Hut and Papa Johns, and what it means about both chains and the sector at large. We also look at Starbucks and Little Caesars, both of which announced ChatGPT apps last week that could get AI more involved in the actual ordering decisions.  Jersey Mike’s had another good year in 2025 and we talk about what that means about its potential IPO. This week’s Technomic Talks segment features Senior Principal Rich Shank, who talks about menu prices and whether the economy is driving them up this year.  On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks Toast and the drive-thru.  Want more from Jonathan Maze? https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/jonathan-maze Tik-Tok @jonathandmaze https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/deeper-dive   Want more from Lisa Jennings? https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/lisa-jennings Tik-Tok @jenningsswaine   Want more from Joe Guszkowski? https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/joe-guszkowski

    31 min

  2. APR 10

    Another franchisee files for bankruptcy

    Another major franchisee has filed for bankruptcy. In this week’s episode of The Week in Restaurants, we dive into the bankruptcy of Sun Gir, a major Carl’s Jr. franchisee operating 59 locations in California. What does this mean for the restaurant industry, and why are so many franchisees filing for bankruptcy right now? We also explore how rising gas prices could make things even tougher for operators. In our Technomic segment, Kevin Schimpf, Senior Research and Insights Director, discusses Chick-fil-A’s slowing average-unit volumes and what it reveals about the state of the chicken business. Plus, we talk about why Michelin stars are making their way to the Midwest and, in our Tech Check segment, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski breaks down who’s really ordering delivery. Don’t miss this packed episode full of insights and analysis! Want more from Jonathan Maze? https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/jonathan-maze Tik-Tok @jonathandmaze https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/deeper-dive Want more from Lisa Jennings? https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/lisa-jennings Tik-Tok @jenningsswaine   Want more from Joe Guszkowski? https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/joe-guszkowski

    29 min

  3. APR 3

    The big problem with Red Lobster

    What is the real problem at Red Lobster? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the ongoing challenges at the seafood chain even after emerging from bankruptcy. We also look at McDonald’s new Under $3 Menu and how much of a discount this new deal actually is. And Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski tells the story of a particular drive-thru record dating back 25 years.  We also talk about the Sysco-Restaurant Depot deal and its various complications. Technomic’s Robert Byrne, meanwhile, taps consumer data to help explain what’s going wrong at Sweetgreen. And Guszkowski looks at robot delivery on Tech Check.

    32 min

  4. MAR 27

    Why Nothing Bundt Cakes is worth $2B

    How is Nothing Bundt Cakes worth $2 billion? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the sale of Nothing Bundt Cakes to the private-equity firm KKR. We talk about what that deal means and why the chain was worth so much. Noodles & Company had a big quarter. Did closures have anything to do with it? Christine Barone, CEO of Dutch Bros, is the Restaurant Leader of the Year. We talk about why she won the award. And in some bonus content, a big Applebee’s franchisee has filed for bankruptcy. We talk about why it’s a good thing that the company is acquiring the restaurants. And on Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks OpenTable.

    24 min

  5. MAR 20

    Why restaurants should watch out for fake news

    Fake news is a real problem for restaurants. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the growing problem of fake news at restaurants and why that’s a major problem for more restaurant chains. We also talk about Darden earnings and why LongHorn Steakhouse may be underappreciated. Fat Brands is on the market and its CEO and founder is out. We’ll discuss that development. This week’s Tech Check segment looks at the newest company from Uber founder Travis Kalanick.

    27 min

  6. MAR 13

    McDonald's tests the limits of value pricing

    How low can fast-food prices go? McDonald’s is aiming to find out.  This week's episode of The Week in Restaurants looks at the burger giant's plans for a new $3-or-less menu. It is McDonald's fourth iteration on value in the past two years and suggests that the value wars aren't going to be over anytime soon. We also untangle the situation at fine-dining stalwart Noma, where chef René Redzepi resigned this week amid renewed scrutiny over abuse allegations. And we talk about Uber Eats' fee hike and why it is the last thing restaurants need right now. On Tech Check, Senior Technology Editor Joe Guszkowski experiments with chatbots for food ordering.  Give it a listen.

    18 min

  7. MAR 6

    Why the social media burger wars are good for the industry

    The burger chains are all in a social media war right now. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the ongoing social media war pitting most of the industry’s burger chains against each other. We explain the issue, and why it may be good for the industry. We also try and diagnose whatever is wrong with the fast-casual salad chain Sweetgreen. And we look at the coffee market, including Dutch Bros, the Luckin-Blue Bottle acquisition and Black Rock Coffee Bar. On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks Olo’s new customer-facing app. For more on this year's Restaurant Leadership Conference, visit: https://informaconnect.com/restaurant-leadership-conference/?utm_source=skot&utm_medium=radio&utm_campaign=rlc26

    32 min

  8. FEB 27

    Want more sales? Just add cheese

    Do you want strong sales? Just add more cheese. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at strong sales results from Applebee’s, which used a cheesy new burger to win over customers. We also look at other casual-dining results. We also look at Burger King, which is making improvements to its Whopper. And we talk about the company’s use of AI to help with operations. And we talk about the pizza sector, where sales challenges at major chains have held down the sector’s overall performance. On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski talks about a merger in the restaurant reservations space.  For more on this year's Restaurant Leadership Conference, visit: https://informaconnect.com/restaurant-leadership-conference/?utm_source=skot&utm_medium=radio&utm_campaign=rlc26

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Dive into the dynamic world of the restaurant industry with The Week in Restaurants. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze, with rotating co-host Executive Editor Lisa Jennings or Senior Editor Joe Guskowski. This podcast delivers the latest industry news, trends, and challenges shaping the foodservice landscape. Whether you're a restaurateur, foodie, or industry enthusiast, this is your go-to source for staying informed and inspired. Look out for new episodes every Friday. Subscribe now! Restaurant Business: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Informa Foodservice
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Informa Foodservice
  • Show Website
    The Week in Restaurants

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