Choppin’ It Up by Bloomberg Intelligence

Poor order accuracy is a fast way to lose customers and gain one-star reviews, Ovation’s CEO and Founder Zack Oates tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Oates sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why even though most customer complaints are about food, it’s more important for restaurants to address grievances about accu...

Authentic Restaurant Brands wants to be national, but it’s going to get there by being regional across the country, CEO Alex Macedo tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Macedo sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s unique strategy of acquiring strong regional brands and helping them improve sales and profit ...

Chili’s accelerated sales growth is sustainable because the company is working with the fundamentals of casual dining — the food, service and atmosphere are all better and team members are having more fun and making more money — Brinker’s CEO Kevin Hochman tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Hochman sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice ana...

El Pollo Loco has some of the lowest turnover in the industry, CEO Liz Williams tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Williams sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and food-service analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to implement technology to improve the employee and customer experience. She also comments on El Pollo Loco’s brand relaunch, remodels, m...

It’s imperative for restaurant brands to use guest data to become more efficient with their marketing and drive profitable traffic, Olo’s CEO and Founder Noah Glass tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Glass sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to grow with new and existing customers in its thr...

Consumers need to be able to count on restaurant brands for a great value proposition, Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Valade sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the importance of everyday value amid some US consumer weakness to start the year. She also comments on Denny’s remodels and loy...

Dairy Queen’s international development team seeks to expand into countries where they can quickly grow market share, the customers can afford the product, a sizable limited-service market already exists and strong potential franchisee partners operate, Chief Operating Officer Nicolas Boudet tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Boudet sits down with BI’s senior restaurant an...

Any time you go through a disaster, the first thing you want to do is find your family and hug them, Main + Main’s CEO and Los Angeles resident Kyle Kavanaugh tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Kavanaugh sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the wildfires will affect Californians and the state’s restaurant industry...

Twin Peaks’ first conversion of a Smokey Bones restaurant is generating run rate sales of $8.3 million, up from $3 million before the switch, CEO Joe Hummel tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Hummel sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s unit-growth strategy, including plans to convert half of its Smokey B...

At its core Tom’s Watch Bar is a “super sports bar,” cofounder and co-CEO Brooks Schaden tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Schaden sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how hundreds of screens and an upscale menu separate its sports-entertainment venues from the competition. He also comments on the impact of spo...

Cracker Barrel’s innovation team is “on fire” and just getting started, CEO Julie Masino tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Masino sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s approach to menu enhancement. She also comments on Cracker Barrel’s value, changes to its marketing program and a 17 pe...

Leaning into the wood fired grills, bringing fine-dining elements to a more casual environment and an affinity for families are points of differentiation for Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, CEO Steve Kislow tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Kislow sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the drivers of the chain’s same-store sales outperformance vs...

Fast-food chains have lost their value and convenience advantages over competitors, Restaurant Insight Monitor Founder and Partner Tom Wagner tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Wagner sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how lower cost of goods sold and the proliferation of mobile apps have hurt quick-service industry sales. He also comments...

The No. 1 issue behind the spread of foodborne illnesses is food handling and handwashing practices, making up 89% of outbreaks, PathSpot CEO and cofounder Christine Schindler tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Schindler sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss what restaurant chains can do to protect their employees and customers. She also comm...

Cava’s brand awareness has gotten a boost from the 2023 IPO, social media and its growing consumer packaged goods business, Chief Experience Officer Andy Rebhun tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Rebhun sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the chain’s marketing strategy is boosting same-store sales. He also comments on the success of its...

Shake Shack’s food speaks for itself, but marketing can help reinforce the qualities that make it special like brisket in the burgers and shakes made with custard, CEO Rob Lynch tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Lynch sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how changes to the company’s marketing program -- including plans to highlight its prem...

Guests are very willing to adopt kiosks as a part of their ordering process, and the technology can boost check averages 20% or more for some restaurants, Bite CEO Brandon Barton tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Barton sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how kiosks are being used for upselling and can ease staffing challenges. He also com...

The US presidential race is between Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump and the couch, according to Bloomberg Intelligence senior policy analyst Nathan Dean. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Dean sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why strong voter turnout may help Harris. He also comments on how turnout could decide which party controls the US...

It’s a battle for restaurants to become top of mind with consumers, so generating cultural relevance is imperative, Chili’s Chief Marketing Officer George Felix tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Felix sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how ad campaigns with Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men and Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey from The Office, a...