
New Life for PF Chang’s?? Here’s How CEO Says Chain Will Get Back to Greatness
P.F. Chang’s appointed Jim Mazany as CEO late last year to reverse a sales decline across its roughly 200 locations. Mazany, who spent over three decades leading full‑service brands such as TGI Fridays and Joe’s Crab Shack, outlined early wins focused on talent acquisition, employee culture, and rebalancing off‑premises dining. He emphasized that daily talent inflow, strong restaurant culture, and strategic holiday promotions are critical levers for a turnaround. The discussion also warned that over‑reliance on delivery can erode the brand experience.

When You Dine at This Tampa Restaurant Group’s Joints, You’re Family
In this episode of Takeaway with Sam Okus, founder Jim Ree and vice‑president of culinary Jessica Tomlinson discuss how Pineapple Hospitality Group builds a family‑like atmosphere across its growing Tampa‑area portfolio. The conversation centers on the belief that treating guests...

Holy Cow Domino’s Is DESTROYING the Rest of the Pizza Industry | Plus More Restaurant News
The Extra Serving podcast highlighted three major developments in the quick‑service restaurant sector: Domino’s continued surge in the pizza category, McDonald’s rollout of the Big Arch premium burger in the United States, and the stark contraction of legacy pizza brands...

Burger King Whopper, Papa Johns Sales, Schlotzsky’s Deli
Restaurant Daily highlighted a wave of strategic tweaks across the fast‑food landscape. Burger King announced a revamped Whopper featuring a higher‑quality bun, added mayonnaise and a heat‑retaining box, while also unveiling "Patty," an AI‑powered voice assistant to aid scheduling and...

Outback, Noodles, CAVA
Outback Steakhouse reported a rebound in customer traffic, posting a 4% same‑store sales increase in the latest quarter. Panera Bread is countering slowing growth by rolling out aggressive value propositions, including $5 combo meals and limited‑time discounts. Meanwhile, an activist...

Restaurants in 2026: Labor, Tech, and Service Trends to Watch
The National Restaurant Association’s 2026 State of the Industry report paints a picture of cautious optimism, noting that restaurants remain profitable despite mounting cost pressures from labor and food prices. Operators are prioritizing workforce strategies, immigration reform, and targeted technology...

McDonald’s New Burger, Domino’s Franchisee, Portillo’s Development
McDonald’s is rolling out its new Big Arch burger nationwide, using the launch as a litmus test for menu innovation and consumer response. Domino’s is concentrating on revitalizing its largest franchisee after a period of underperformance, aiming to restore growth and...

Domino’s, a Panera Data Breach, Noble 33
Domino's reported a robust sales surge, outpacing competitors and reinforcing its leadership in the pizza market. Panera Bread is confronting a series of class-action lawsuits after a recent data breach that compromised millions of customer records, drawing heightened regulatory attention....

Are Focused Restaurant Menus Over? Why This Poke Chain Shook Things Up to Win New Guests
In this Takeaway podcast episode, co‑founder Seth Cohen explains Sweet Fin’s strategic shift from a pure poke concept to a broader California‑Asian menu, highlighted by a partnership with two‑Michelin‑star chef Daniel Patterson. The collaboration produced warm bowls, cooked proteins and oven‑roasted...

Why Word Of Mouth BEATS Ads! #nrn #food #restaurantleadership #foodnews
The video argues that word‑of‑mouth remains the most powerful marketing tool for restaurants, eclipsing traditional billboard and digital ad spend. It stresses that authentic buzz, generated by genuine customer experiences, drives lasting patronage more reliably than any paid campaign. Key insights...

Taco Bell Cannot Be Stopped, Plus Chipotle’s Sales Woes and More Restaurant News
The Extra Serving podcast highlighted a turbulent week for the U.S. restaurant sector, centering on Chipotle’s disappointing fourth‑quarter results and Taco Bell’s relentless market‑share gains. The hosts also flagged seasonal tailwinds—Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and the upcoming Olympics—that could revive...

The h.wood Group: How Exclusive Experiences Fuel Success
The podcast episode spotlights the H Wood Group, a Los Angeles‑based hospitality collective founded by John Tersian and Brian Tol. Starting with nightclubs in 2008, the duo leveraged celebrity networks to craft ultra‑exclusive venues and later expanded into restaurants such as...

Chipotle Prices, Wonder Acquisition, Jack in the Box
The episode of Restaurant Daily highlighted three headline stories: Chipotle’s tentative 1‑2% price increase to combat rising beef and other food costs, Wonder’s first brick‑and‑mortar acquisition of Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken in New York, and Jack in the Box’s public...

Minneapolis Restaurants, Delivery, Fat Brands
The episode spotlights three converging pressures on the U.S. restaurant sector: a federal immigration sweep crippling Minneapolis eateries, accelerating growth in online food delivery, and heightened corporate governance battles at major chains. Minneapolis officials estimate local businesses are shedding $10‑20 million...

Restaurant Icon Cameron Mitchell Shares Hospitality Philosophy That Leads to CRAZY Sales
The podcast episode spotlights Cameron Mitchell, founder of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, and his flagship concept Ocean Prime, which celebrates its 20th anniversary while approaching $285 million in annual sales across 21 locations. Mitchell attributes the brand’s extraordinary average unit volume—about $14 million,...

Jack in the Box, Noodles & Company, Zaxbys
Restaurant Daily highlighted three headline stories: Jack in the Box’s defensive stance in a proxy fight with activist investor Sardar Big Li, Noodles & Company’s effort to regain Nasdaq compliance through a reverse stock split, and Zaxby’s milestone of opening its...