The Restaurant Report
Uncover the secrets of the restaurant industry with The Restaurant Report, the longest-running foodservice podcast hosted by award-winning journalists. Dive into the latest trends, hear expert insights, and enjoy exclusive interviews with industry leaders every week. With over 25 years of insider knowledge, The Restaurant Report is your guide to navigating the ever-changing world of the food and hospitality scene. Subscribe now and join the thousands of food enthusiasts and industry professionals who rely on The Restaurant Report for their weekly dose of news, insights and inspiration.
Episodes
July 28, 2025 • 30 mins
In a recent episode of The Restaurant Report, host Paul Barron sat down with two industry veterans to dissect the rapidly evolving fast casual landscape. Cherryh Cansler, Publisher of Fastcasual.com, and Brian Shunia, Co-Founder of Wing Snob, shared insights on what's driving growth in this competitive sector and how brands are adapting to changing consumer demands.
~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
#1...
~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
#1...
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June 23, 2025 • 39 mins
Join Paul Barron and Paul Molinari on The Restaurant Report as they dive deep into the fast casual revolution with Brianna Keefe, founder and CEO of Toastique. Discover how this gourmet toast and juice bar concept has exploded from a single Washington D.C. location in 2018 to 42 units nationwide, with plans for 25+ more by year's end. Learn about the "better-for-you" category that's driving the fast casual sector toward a projected...
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May 12, 2025 • 33 mins
Dive into the future of dining as industry experts explore the transformative potential of AI in restaurants. This eye-opening discussion reveals how artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize customer service, operational efficiency, and personalization—while preserving the essential human touch that makes dining special. Learn how restaurant leaders are navigating the delicate balance between cutting-edge technology and auth...
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April 11, 2025 • 7 mins
The three essential Go-To-Market strategies for restaurant tech companies by Paul Molinari of Popcorn GTM. The strategies include: defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) to focus your efforts on specific restaurant segments; mastering the sales process through clear lead qualification and team alignment; and leveraging strategic partnerships with POS systems and complementary services to expand reach and enhance product value. ...
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April 11, 2025 • 14 mins
With nearly 20% of America's food imported, tariffs up to 145% on Chinese goods are driving up costs for essential ingredients. Consumer pushback is rising as restaurant prices increase, with over half of Americans spending less on dining out. Large chains can absorb some costs, while independent restaurants struggle with narrower margins. Despite some relief from lower oil prices and slowing inflation, economists warn that tariffs...
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March 14, 2025 • 57 mins
In this insightful episode of The Restaurant Report, host Paul Barron and Sam Oches from Informa's Restaurant & Food Group analyze the critical challenges and opportunities facing the restaurant industry in 2025. They dive into corporate layoffs affecting major brands, the impact of Trump's tariffs on supply chains, tech integration challenges, and the evolving role of third-party delivery. The conversation balances concerns ab...
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March 6, 2025 • 26 mins
In this eye-opening episode of The Restaurant Report, Abhinav Kapur, founder and CEO of Bikky, reveals how AI and data analytics are reshaping the restaurant industry. From voice ordering systems to customer retention strategies, Kapur shares insights gained from analyzing 350 million guest profiles across major brands like Bojangles and Dave's Hot Chicken. Learn why 80% of guests never return after their first visit, how the remai...
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February 28, 2025 • 30 mins
In a recent Restaurant Report podcast episode, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michael Halen shared insights on restaurant industry trends, highlighting AI integration at companies like Chipotle, management changes at major chains, and Chili's remarkable 31.4% same-store sales growth under Kevin Hochman's leadership. Halen discussed Shake Shack's new kitchen innovation lab aimed at improving drive-thru efficiency, the healthy eating...
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December 2, 2024 • 9 mins
McDonald's recent partnership with Doodles marks a significant leap into Web3 and culture marketing for the fast-food giant. This collaboration, launching on November 18, 2024, introduces a holiday-themed campaign called "GM Spread Joy" that blends physical and digital experiences12.
The campaign features:
The campaign features:
- Limited-edition McCafé cups with custom Doodles artwork
- A digital "pack-ripping" experience through the McDonald's app
- Unlockab...
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October 8, 2024 • 38 mins
The restaurant industry faces a complex future in 2025, grappling with inflation, changing consumer behaviors, and technological advancements. Successful chains are focusing on providing everyday value rather than relying on discounts. Fast casual restaurants are experiencing challenges due to oversaturation and lack of drive-thrus. Technology investments, including kitchen automation and drone deliveries, are becoming crucial for ...
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September 20, 2024 • 24 mins
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) is addressing the food service industry's workforce shortage by focusing on attracting, training, and retaining employees. To combat the decline in young workers, the NRA has launched initiatives like "Restaurants Work" and expanded educational programs. The organization is also prioritizing apprenticeship programs and structured career paths to increase job satisfaction and retention. Addi...
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September 13, 2024 • 28 mins
Fred LeFranc, founder of Results Through Strategy, shared insights on restaurant industry leadership, technology, and trends during a Prosper Forum podcast. He emphasized the importance of organizational assessments, adaptability in a dynamic business environment, and using technology to enhance existing strengths. LeFranc praised brands like Chick-fil-A and First Watch for effective tech integration, highlighted the value of data ...
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September 10, 2024 • 33 mins
Anand Gala, managing partner of Galla Investments, shared his approach to investing in the restaurant industry during the Prosper Forum event. With a background in franchising and operations, Gala focuses on "adolescent franchisors" - brands with 25 to 250 units that have potential for growth. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right partners, valuing leadership qualities like adaptability, and focusing on fundamental oper...
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September 4, 2024 • 31 mins
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The conversation between Paul Barron and Emily Williams Knight at the Prosper Forum highlights several critical challenges facing the restaurant industry while pointing to growth and innovation opportunities. Here's an overview of the current landscape, including recent trends and p...
The conversation between Paul Barron and Emily Williams Knight at the Prosper Forum highlights several critical challenges facing the restaurant industry while pointing to growth and innovation opportunities. Here's an overview of the current landscape, including recent trends and p...
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July 30, 2024 • 22 mins
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The restaurant industry is facing significant challenges in 2024, with indicators pointing to a potential downturn. Wall Street's recent struggles, including a tech selloff, may impact high-net-worth individuals' spending on dining out. Several fast-casual chains are experiencing di...
The restaurant industry is facing significant challenges in 2024, with indicators pointing to a potential downturn. Wall Street's recent struggles, including a tech selloff, may impact high-net-worth individuals' spending on dining out. Several fast-casual chains are experiencing di...
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June 21, 2024 • 38 mins
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In a dynamic podcast hosted by Paul Barron, leadership experts David Jobe and Hattie Hill from the Prosper Forum delve into the critical tactics needed to navigate the future of the food service and hospitality industries. Their discussion centers on adaptive leadership, hybrid work optimiz...
In a dynamic podcast hosted by Paul Barron, leadership experts David Jobe and Hattie Hill from the Prosper Forum delve into the critical tactics needed to navigate the future of the food service and hospitality industries. Their discussion centers on adaptive leadership, hybrid work optimiz...
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May 24, 2024 • 30 mins
🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in foodservice! - https://www.savor.fm/
Rock N' Roll Sushi is shaking up the restaurant franchising world with its innovative and unique concept - a rock-themed sushi restaurant chain. Founded on a love for rock music and sushi, it offers an approachable sushi experience that appeals to a broad audience.
What sets Rock N' Roll Sush...
Rock N' Roll Sushi is shaking up the restaurant franchising world with its innovative and unique concept - a rock-themed sushi restaurant chain. Founded on a love for rock music and sushi, it offers an approachable sushi experience that appeals to a broad audience.
What sets Rock N' Roll Sush...
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April 17, 2024 • 24 mins
🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in foodservice! - https://www.savor.fm/
The restaurant industry is on the cusp of a major shift driven by tech-savvy Gen Y and Gen Z consumers who prefer convenience, with mobile ordering rapidly growing and projected to account for 11% of quick-service sales by 2020. Yet the industry is slow to adopt new tech, despite benefits. C...
The restaurant industry is on the cusp of a major shift driven by tech-savvy Gen Y and Gen Z consumers who prefer convenience, with mobile ordering rapidly growing and projected to account for 11% of quick-service sales by 2020. Yet the industry is slow to adopt new tech, despite benefits. C...
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March 26, 2024 • 44 mins
The Evolution of Food Halls and Emerging Brands in the Face of Economic ChallengesIn this episode of The Restaurant Report, host Paul Barron and guest co-host Amy Hom, experts in the restaurant industry and consumer sentiment, delve into the fascinating world of food halls and emerging brands. Despite current economic challenges, such as rising prices and inflation, which have reduced restaurant visits, food halls, and innovative c...
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March 11, 2024 • 32 mins
In this episode of "The Restaurant Report," host Paul Barron is joined by Zach Goldstein, CEO of Thanx, a leading restaurant customer engagement platform. The discussion delves into the evolving landscape of consumer sentiment toward dining out, with a particular emphasis on Gen Z's unique behaviors and preferences.
As the restaurant industry grapples with declining consumer sentiment and lower frequency rates, Zach and Paul explore...
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