Choppin’ It Up by Bloomberg Intelligence

Poor order accuracy is a fast way to lose customers and gain one-star reviews, Ovation’s CEO and Founder Zack Oates tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Oates sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why even though most customer complaints are about food, it’s more important for restaurants to address grievances about accuracy and service. He also comments on why a bad review is a gift.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authentic Restaurant Brands wants to be national, but it’s going to get there by being regional across the country, CEO Alex Macedo tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Macedo sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s unique strategy of acquiring strong regional brands and helping them improve sales and profit instead of supercharging unit growth. He also comments on the M&A market and why it’s become increasingly difficult to scale up national brands in a cost-effective way. Find this and other Bloomberg Intelligence podcasts at BI PODCASTS <GO>. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chili’s accelerated sales growth is sustainable because the company is working with the fundamentals of casual dining — the food, service and atmosphere are all better and team members are having more fun and making more money — Brinker’s CEO Kevin Hochman tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Hochman sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why he believes Chili’s turnaround remains in the early innings. He also comments on menu simplification, strategic pricing and the importance of the Turbo Chef oven rollout, as well as improving sales and profitability at Maggiano’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El Pollo Loco has some of the lowest turnover in the industry, CEO Liz Williams tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Williams sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and food-service analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to implement technology to improve the employee and customer experience. She also comments on El Pollo Loco’s brand relaunch, remodels, margin expansion and new food items, including quesadillas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s imperative for restaurant brands to use guest data to become more efficient with their marketing and drive profitable traffic, Olo’s CEO and Founder Noah Glass tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Glass sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to grow with new and existing customers in its three product suites: online ordering, payment and personalized marketing. He also comments on Olo’s new partnership with FreedomPay and a sizable opportunity in catering order management.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers need to be able to count on restaurant brands for a great value proposition, Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Valade sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the importance of everyday value amid some US consumer weakness to start the year. She also comments on Denny’s remodels and loyalty program changes as well as growth plans for Keke’s Breakfast Café.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy Queen’s international development team seeks to expand into countries where they can quickly grow market share, the customers can afford the product, a sizable limited-service market already exists and strong potential franchisee partners operate, Chief Operating Officer Nicolas Boudet tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Boudet sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s sizable overseas operations and development strategy. He also comments on recoveries in China and the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Any time you go through a disaster, the first thing you want to do is find your family and hug them, Main + Main’s CEO and Los Angeles resident Kyle Kavanaugh tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Kavanaugh sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the wildfires will affect Californians and the state’s restaurant industry. He also comments on the coming 2026 World Cup, Super Bowl and 2028 Summer Olympics in the city, and hot markets for restaurant development, including the sun belt and Texas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twin Peaks’ first conversion of a Smokey Bones restaurant is generating run rate sales of $8.3 million, up from $3 million before the switch, CEO Joe Hummel tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Hummel sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s unit-growth strategy, including plans to convert half of its Smokey Bones locations. He also comments on the importance of balancing data analytics with restaurant visits, and plans for excess cash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At its core Tom’s Watch Bar is a “super sports bar,” cofounder and co-CEO Brooks Schaden tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Schaden sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how hundreds of screens and an upscale menu separate its sports-entertainment venues from the competition. He also comments on the impact of sports betting, Formula 1 and emerging leagues like the WNBA on the business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.