Carrabba's Italian Grill

2017 Top 500: Italian

Italian heavyweight Olive Garden increased sales by 3%, helping to drive the menu category's 1.9% sales growth, to $8.5 billion.

Operations

This week’s 5 head-spinning moments: Reverse is the new forward

Some big chains are reversing themselves on customization, delivery, portioning and new-age staffing moves.

Bloomin' Brands said Q4 domestic comps fort Outback and Carrabba's decreased 4.8% and 2.3%, respectively.

A look at the casual-dining chains satisfying consumers with their dine-in services, but not doing quite as well with takeout.

Chains ranking highest in their competitive set deliver more than just good food. They’re winning in all aspects of the dining experience, from service to convenience.

Music can help make or break a restaurant experience, so with help from Technomic, we found the top 10 casual-dining playlists.

More than half of the restaurant industry’s $491 billion in sales come from the Top 500 chains. And these giants grew at a modestly stronger rate, both in terms of sales and store counts, than the industry overall. Restaurant Business focused on the leading 250 performers to identify trends for our first-ever special report delivering lessons from Technomic’s annual Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. This special package includes lessons for all operators from the largest chains by segment, menu category and more.

Pattie McNiel, who coordinates Michigan State University's food safety program and also runs her own consulting business, became ill after eating a carryout...

Red Robin Express will have no storefront, just production capabilities for producing the food found in full-service units.

Restaurant dealmaking is at its highest level in 11 years. The transactions record could be shattered if these blockbuster acquisitions, already the subjects of Wall Street speculation, should go down.

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