Wonder, Dos Toros Taqueria and Gigglewaters

Why It Matters

The gender shift threatens labor stability, while experiential concepts and snack trends offer new revenue pathways for restaurateurs and investors.

Key Takeaways

• Women’s share in restaurant workforce drops to 55%, managers steady
• Wonder launches Indian concept Daba in four Philadelphia food halls
• Dos Toros reopens Chicago location, expanding to 20 company-owned sites
• Tire retailer DX3 Brands adds Gigglewaters, a 1920s restaurant‑theater hybrid
• Snack‑focused menu items rise 7% as overall restaurant traffic declines

Summary

The latest Restaurant Daily briefing covered several industry shifts: a notable decline in female employment, Wonder’s entry into Indian cuisine, Dos Toros’ comeback in Chicago, the launch of DX3 Brands with its first concept Gigglewaters, Jack in the Box’s new SmashJack sliders, and Maria Empanada’s push into airports and stadiums.

National Restaurant Association data shows 12.5 million people still work in eating and drinking venues, but women’s representation fell to roughly 55 percent—a one‑point drop—while female managers held steady at 50 percent. Supervisory, cook and tipped‑staff roles saw declines of two, two and one percentage points respectively, mirroring a broader exodus of 450,000 women from the U.S. labor market in 2025. Meanwhile, Wonder is piloting its in‑house Indian brand Daba in four Philadelphia food halls before a system‑wide rollout, and Dos Toros, now under Founders Table, will reopen its Chicago flagship as its 20th company‑owned outlet.

DX3 Brands, a new multi‑concept franchise arm of tire retailer RNR Tire Express, introduced Gigglewaters—a 1920s‑styled restaurant, bar, and 32‑seat private movie theater—citing its “nostalgic yet new” experience, according to CEO Adam Sutton. Jack in the Box is capitalizing on a 7 % rise in snack occasions, launching SmashJack sliders with collectible pins and cash‑prize incentives. Maria Empanada’s CEO Andrew Jaffy highlighted recent expansions into Denver’s airport, a sporting‑stadium outlet, and an upcoming Red Rocks Amphitheater location.

These developments signal a dual challenge and opportunity: operators must confront the shrinking female talent pool while leveraging innovative, experience‑driven concepts and snack‑centric menus to capture shifting consumer habits. Investors and restaurateurs alike should monitor workforce diversity initiatives and the performance of hybrid dining experiences as key indicators of future growth.

Original Description

Wonder is adding a new Indian concept. Dos Toros is trying it again in Chicago. And women are dropping out of the restaurant industry.