A Deeper Dive

What are retailers doing to compete more aggressively with restaurants?This week’s episode of A Deeper Dive looks at the retail sector, specifically convenience stores and grocers. I’m joined this week by Heather Lalley, the managing editor for Restaurant Business as well as sister publications CSP Daily News and Supermarket News.We talk about how convenience stores are pushing into more prepared food options, including ways they are taking pages out of restaurants’ playbook.We also discuss the growing demand for THC beverages, and why we haven’t seen many restaurants add these to their beverage menus.But we talk extensively about the closures of Amazon’s Fresh and Go stores, and what kinds of lessons restaurants can take from those closures. We’re looking at the retail sector on A Deeper Dive, so check it out.

How will the Saks Global bankruptcy affect restaurants?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Stephen Cohen, a real estate attorney who does a lot of work with restaurants.We wanted to speak with Stephen about the real estate implications of the bankruptcy filing of the giant retailer Saks Global.No, Saks is not a restaurant, though it owns a few of them. But it is a major real estate tenant with some 8.4 million square feet.Many of its locations are in malls populated by a lot of restaurants.We wanted to talk about the implications this could have on restaurants, both for good or for ill. Cohen talks about the potential implications for foot traffic at some malls and potential opportunities for certain restaurants to get available space in some desirable shopping centers.But we talk a lot about other topics, including various real estate trends and the opportunities and risks of opening in second generation real estate sites—or closed restaurants, as it were. We’re talking malls on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

How do consumers view value these days?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Jen Meyers, growth strategy leader for the restaurant practice with the consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal.The firm recently completed an extensive survey of consumers on a broad range of topics on restaurants and we wanted to chat with Jennifer about the results and what they mean.We talk about the value equation and how consumers’ views of value has changed over the years from cheap food to value for the money. We talk about what drives consumers out of restaurants.We also talk about a lot of other topics, including the growing snacking occasion, consumers’ views on health along with nostalgia marketing.We’re talking about the consumer on A Deeper Dive so please check it out. 

Martha Olmos, COO of Damm Fine Restaurant Group, shares her deep expertise in the restaurant industry, highlighting her roles with Blaze Pizza and Dave’s Hot Chicken. She discusses the strategy behind choosing successful brands, the importance of company culture, and developing future leaders from within. Martha reflects on the contrasting performance of the two brands, navigates the complexities of operating in California, and emphasizes the critical nature of franchisor-franchisee relationships. A treasure trove of insights for aspiring franchisees!

David Henkes, a Senior Principal at Technomic, offers valuable insights on the future of the restaurant industry. He projects modest growth for 2026, with slight traffic increases and sales up by 4.5%. Henkes discusses how economic uncertainties and inflation impact consumer confidence and dining affordability. He highlights the rising importance of older consumers in restaurant sales and shares lessons from Asia regarding service automation. Additionally, he addresses how some chains thrive by delivering value and excellent guest experiences.

Restaurant sales and traffic challenges were a huge story in 2025.This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive takes a look at the most popular episodes of the year.Perhaps unsurprisingly, each of them dealt with the challenged industry environment. We spoke with Circana’s David Portalatin about consumers buying on a deal. We spoke multiple times with Technomic’s Rich Shank about the state of the restaurant industry.We also spoke with National Restaurant Association Chief Economist Chad Moutray about the impact this is having on profitability.And we wrap it up with Savory Fund Cofounder Andrew Smith on what private equity thinks of all this, specifically why this can be a good time to find high-quality chains.

How will AI truly change the way restaurants do business?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive concludes our series on the impact of AI on the restaurant industry with a discussion of exactly where the technology will be felt the most.Over the past five weeks, we’ve looked at how AI is affecting fast-food restaurants in the drive-thru, how it’s influencing menu and marketing along with back-of-house tasks. We discuss which of these areas the impact will be felt the most, and where we’re more skeptical. We also talk about what areas surprised us, and how all this will change the industry over the next five years. 

AI is already having a big influence on restaurant marketing. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive continues our examination of the impact artificial intelligence is having on restaurant marketing. The technology is having an impact on marketing for everything from local restaurants to major chains.Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski speaks with Khara Mangiduyos, who uses AI to help her restaurant, Kalei’s Kitchenette. He spoke with Bikky cofounder Abhinav Kapur and Presto cofounder Krishna Gupta, who each talk about their AI-based technology. Guszkowski also talks with former Sonic executive Craig Miller about how these can work with a big chain.We’re talking AI in marketing on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Customers may see AI when they order from their favorite restaurant on an app or in the drive-thru, but the technology’s biggest impact may be behind the scenes.This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive continues our examination of the impact AI is having on the restaurant industry. This week’s episode looks at the technology’s impact in the back of the house. Senior Technology Editor Joe Guszkowski looks at the invisible ways that AI is in use in restaurants, including managing inventory and labor, forecasting sales and predicting kitchen needs. We speak with Dan Anfinson, COO of First Watch franchisee Mac Haik Restaurant Group. We also speak with Matt Wampler, cofounder of AI company ClearCOGs, Bruce Harris of Torchy’s Tacos and Khara Mangiduyos of the single-unit Kalei’s Kitchenette in San Diego.We’re looking at AI in the back of the house so please check it out.

AI can’t necessarily make a burger, but it can help learn what kind of burger to put on the menu.In this episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive, we continue our examination on the impact AI is having on restaurant menu development. The podcast features Christian Frangiatis, the executive chef of One by Spork in Pittsburgh. It also features Jet Tila; Marcus Merritt, the manager of Wiley and Rum, a Cuban-Caribbean fusion restaurant in Atlanta; and Chef Ian Ramirez, the founder of Mad Honey Culinary.The podcast looks at the way they use artificial intelligence in big and subtle ways, from menu development to ingredient purchasing. We’re talking AI and the menu on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.