Nation’s Restaurant News

Nation’s Restaurant News

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Restaurant industry news, leaders, and trends

4 Equipment Trends Shaping the Future of Beverage Menus
VideoJun 18, 2026

4 Equipment Trends Shaping the Future of Beverage Menus

The video spotlights Coca‑Cola’s latest equipment innovations, emphasizing a digital overhaul that extends the Freestyle platform’s connectivity and modularity across its entire beverage‑service fleet. Kaiser Sayers explains how the company is translating the popular self‑serve Freestyle experience into a suite...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
How Jeff’s Bagel Run Exploded to 35 Locations
VideoJun 18, 2026

How Jeff’s Bagel Run Exploded to 35 Locations

Jeff's Bagel Run, founded by Jeff and Danielle Pereira after Jeff lost his job in 2019, grew from a home‑made bagel experiment to 35 stores by 2026, doubling unit count annually and posting over 200% sales growth. The brand attributes growth...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
How Savory Fund Plans to Build the Next Generation of Restaurant Brands
VideoJun 17, 2026

How Savory Fund Plans to Build the Next Generation of Restaurant Brands

In a candid interview, Savory CEO Klay Dover outlines the firm’s operator‑first private‑equity model, positioning Savory as more than a capital source. The firm partners with early‑stage restaurant founders, providing hands‑on expertise, supply‑chain leverage, and a playbook honed from scaling...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Snooze CEO Josh Kern on Navigating Restaurant Challenges & Growth Strategy
VideoJun 17, 2026

Snooze CEO Josh Kern on Navigating Restaurant Challenges & Growth Strategy

In a candid interview with Nation’s Restaurant News, newly appointed Snooze CEO Josh Kern outlines his strategy for turning around a brand that slipped into a 5% sales decline and 2.8% retrenchment after rapid, unfocused expansion. Having left a portfolio...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Cracker Barrel Gets Its Groove Back?? Plus KFC, Flesh Eating Screwworm, and More Restaurant News
VideoJun 16, 2026

Cracker Barrel Gets Its Groove Back?? Plus KFC, Flesh Eating Screwworm, and More Restaurant News

The podcast opened with a roundup of recent restaurant‑industry headlines, centering on Cracker Barrel’s unexpected sales recovery after its 2025 logo rebrand fiasco and KFC’s renewed momentum under new leadership. Julie Felsmino, Cracker Barrel’s CEO, reported same‑store sales down only...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Top 500 Restaurant Chains, Revealed: Two Experts Break Down Biggest Trends & Surprises
VideoJun 16, 2026

Top 500 Restaurant Chains, Revealed: Two Experts Break Down Biggest Trends & Surprises

The latest Technomic‑NRN Top 500 report shows the U.S. restaurant sector entering a low‑growth era, with system‑wide sales up just 3% in 2024 – the weakest expansion outside the pandemic and the Great Recession. Unit growth stalled at 1.7%, meaning most...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Restaurant LTO Playbook: Tap Into Trends While Protecting Margins
VideoJun 11, 2026

Restaurant LTO Playbook: Tap Into Trends While Protecting Margins

The National Restaurant Association Insider Series featured JTM Food Group’s Brad Nelson outlining a playbook for limited‑time offers (LTOs) that help restaurants stay on‑trend while protecting margins. Nelson highlighted the fifth‑year Beer Cheese Throwdown, where contestants incorporated nostalgic, spicy or...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
What’s Wrong With Pizza? Mellow Mushroom Has Some Answers with Transformed Experience
VideoJun 10, 2026

What’s Wrong With Pizza? Mellow Mushroom Has Some Answers with Transformed Experience

In this Takeaway with Sam Okus episode, executive vice‑president Asan Jiva outlines Mellow Mushroom’s three‑year transformation, centered on a “fast‑fine” hybrid service model that blends counter service with the brand’s full‑service roots. The shift aims to capture growing off‑premise demand,...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Restaurant President Explains Hot Chicken's Explosive Growth
VideoJun 10, 2026

Restaurant President Explains Hot Chicken's Explosive Growth

Houston Hot Chicken reported a 36% sales surge and a 16% increase in restaurant units despite a tough market environment. The brand accelerated its footprint by signing 25 new franchise agreements in December 2025. Its growth engine relies on a...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
From Accounting to Hospitality Leadership: 40 Years in Restaurants
VideoJun 10, 2026

From Accounting to Hospitality Leadership: 40 Years in Restaurants

The interview with John Thoer, a Michigan State University School of Hospitality alumnus, marked the centennial celebration of the program and highlighted his four‑decade journey from public accounting to senior finance roles at Hilton, Alapco, and notably Panda Express. Thoer...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Can This Man Save Wendy’s? Plus Starbucks, CAVA, and Other Restaurant Headlines to Know
VideoJun 2, 2026

Can This Man Save Wendy’s? Plus Starbucks, CAVA, and Other Restaurant Headlines to Know

The Extra Serving podcast tackled several hot restaurant‑industry stories, from Wendy’s new CEO appointment to Starbucks’ reversal on an AI inventory system, and Cava’s impressive quarterly results. Bob Wright, a three‑time Wendy’s veteran who revived Potbelly through digital upgrades and...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
PART 2: The Future of Fast Casual Restaurant Chains Will Look Something Like Mendocino Farms
VideoMay 27, 2026

PART 2: The Future of Fast Casual Restaurant Chains Will Look Something Like Mendocino Farms

The interview with Alicia Mouter, chief marketing officer of Mendocino Farms, explores how the 20‑year‑old California brand is shaping the future of fast‑casual dining. Mouter describes a hybrid model that blends premium ingredients, table service and a curated dining environment,...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Starbucks, 7 Brew, Memorial Day
VideoMay 26, 2026

Starbucks, 7 Brew, Memorial Day

Starbucks is abandoning an AI-driven automated inventory-counting system and will revert to a single consistent manual process after staff reported errors and inaccuracies. Drive-through chain 7 Brew continues explosive expansion — posting average unit volumes near $2.7 million, 111% annual...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Restaurant Chains Made This Many Billions in 2025 | Here’s Who Won — and Lost — Big
VideoMay 18, 2026

Restaurant Chains Made This Many Billions in 2025 | Here’s Who Won — and Lost — Big

The Extra Serving podcast recaps the National Restaurant Show and dives into the latest Top 500 restaurant chain rankings, with a spotlight on Jack in the Box’s leadership shake‑up. Host Sam Okus and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the brand’s recent performance woes and...

By Nation’s Restaurant News
Nation’s Restaurant News | Pulse