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Financing

Lessons in investing from David Rubenstein

 By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 13, 2026

The Bottom Line: The cofounder of The Carlyle Group, an active investor in the restaurant space, revealed the private-equity firm’s return on its McDonald’s China investment and dished out wisdom.

Financing

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill carves out a niche in polished casual

 By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 13, 2026

The full-service chain is hitting a sweet spot for value-conscious consumers, who are trading up and down to visit the growing brand, even at lunch.

Financing

Restaurant chains start 2026 on offense

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 12, 2026

The Bottom Line: The restaurant industry kicked off January with new value offers, limited-time offers and an awful lot of new protein products.

Technology

A startup reimagines restaurant delivery for the AI era

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 12, 2026

Tech Check: Delivery Collective is betting that integrating with POS providers and ChatGPT can create a lower-cost alternative to the major delivery apps. Can it really challenge the giants?

Financing

Rob Lynch has big plans for Shake Shack

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 12, 2026

The fast-casual burger chain has changed its strategy under Lynch to be a more everyday occasion. Here’s how, and why, the company’s CEO believes that is the right strategy.

Emerging Brands

Among Artistry Restaurant's stable of 7 brands, Oak & Stone is designated for growth

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 09, 2026

The value-positioned casual-dining concept has a Tap Wall with about 50 beverage offerings, from craft beer to cocktails. The Florida-based multi-concept group is moving the brand into Texas for the first time this year.

Financing

The problem with salads

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 09, 2026

The Bottom Line: Salad and Go and Sweetgreen are two different restaurant chains. But their respective challenges speak to the same problem: There is only so much demand for salad.

Operations

After an inauspicious start, America's top-grossing independent restaurant Mila is preparing for growth

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 08, 2026

This Miami Beach hotspot recorded more than $51 million in revenue in 2024, taking the No. 1 spot on the Top 100 Independent Restaurant List. Parent Riviera Dining Group is replicating Mila's multi-venue model.

Financing

U.S. investors will get a crack at another chicken chain in Jollibee

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 08, 2026

The Bottom Line: The company, which also owns Smashburger and other international brands, is planning to spin off its business outside the Philippines, followed by a U.S. initial public offering.

Marketing

For consumers, taste trumps price when it comes to value

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 08, 2026

Restaurant customers refuse to skimp on flavor at a lower price and will go somewhere else if they feel quality is declining, according to a new consumer survey from Alvarez & Marsal.

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