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Financing

How your restaurant sales and profits compare to competitors' and what you can do to improve financial performance

Financing

After a rough 2025, Chipotle is taking a more conservative approach

By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 04, 2026

The fast-casual chain said same-store sales declined 2.5% for the fourth quarter, with transactions down more than 3%. But CEO Scott Boatwright said the protein push is resonating with younger diners.

Financing

Why are so many big companies using merchant cash advances?

 By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 03, 2026

The Bottom Line: Two large franchisees blamed merchant cash advances on their recent bankruptcy filings and Fat Brands used it at least once. But the funds are expensive and dangerous.

Financing

McDonald's has a $73B impact on the U.S. economy

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 03, 2026

The fast-food giant also supports 1 million jobs, including 740,000 people who work in the chain's restaurants, according to a study the company commissioned by Oxford Economics.

Financing

Olive Garden parent Darden is shutting down its Bahama Breeze brand

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 03, 2026

The casual-dining operator will close 14 locations of the seafood brand and convert another 14 to other brands. It had been considering strategic alternatives for Bahama Breeze.

Financing

Burger King completes the sale of a majority stake in its China business

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 03, 2026

Parent company Restaurant Brands International has sold an 83% stake in Burger King China to CPE for $350 million, more than double what the fast-food operator paid for the business last year.

Financing

Was Pizza Hut's shift away from full service a mistake? It's complicated

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 02, 2026

The Bottom Line: The pizza chain’s shift from a full-service model to takeout and delivery was the biggest service model shift in restaurant industry history. But it has not spurred the growth for which the company hoped.

Financing

A 43-location Subway franchisee has filed for bankruptcy

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 02, 2026

MTF Enterprises, which operates locations in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine and Virginia, declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a merchant cash advance lender put a lien on its sales revenue.

Financing

A tale of two casual-dining chains

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 02, 2026

The Bottom Line: This week’s episode of the restaurant finance newsletter contrasts news about Chili’s and rival Ruby Tuesday, which are going in different directions.

Financing

Starbucks' focus on its in-café experience isn't just about its dine-in customers

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 30, 2026

The Bottom Line: Most of the coffee chain’s customers still come into its shops, even if they have no intention of sticking around. That makes it important for those shops to be inviting.

Financing

Chili's and Ruby Tuesday are headed in different directions

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 30, 2026

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the restaurant news discussion podcast looks at Chili’s performance, Starbucks' strong earnings and the bankruptcy of Twin Peaks owner Fat Brands.

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