FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 22, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on how the ongoing government shutdown is expected to take a toll on restaurant chains.

Sweetgreen Plunges, And the Question Is Why

Sweetgreen’s stock nosedived after dismal Q2 results, reigniting doubts about its scalability and consumer appeal. Management blames execution and macro headwinds – but investors may be losing faith in the salad chain’s long-term promise.

Investors See Long-Term Risk for Fast-Casual Chains

Fast-casual giants Chipotle and Cava are losing investor confidence after steep post-earnings stock drops. Rising costs, flat traffic, and pricing fatigue signal deeper concerns about the fast-casual segment as a whole.

5 Thriving Fast-Food Chains in 2025

Despite rising costs, 2025 is shaping up to be a fairly strong year for many restaurant chains, with top players like Cava and Chick-fil-A thriving by mastering efficiency, marketing, and customer experience. The smartest brands are pricing strategically and leveraging technology to drive success.

SeoulSpice Korean Kitchen: From Family Recipes to Fast-Casual Success

SeoulSpice Korean Kitchen recently expanded into Chicago, opening its first location on March 31. Founded by Eric Shin, principal percussionist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., the chain known for its fresh rice and noodle bowls has grown to a total of eight locations across D.C. and Chicago.

Chipotle Gives Reason to React, Not Overreact

Despite Chipotle’s recent sales slump heading into 2025, investors are not worried about the future of the company. Although Chipotle stock has fallen 27% since December 6, its modest performance is peanuts compared to the fast casual sector, and its historic strength signals it can brace the bump.

The 10 Most Innovative Restaurants, Dining, Food Services

A list of the most innovative food businesses for 2025 highlights companies reshaping the restaurant and foodservice landscape. Mediterranean chain Cava topped the list for its focus on in-person experiences, proving that hospitality and human connection are just as vital as efficiency in the evolving food industry.

Salad Chains Diversify As ‘Peak Salad’ Looms

As better-for-you salad chains stagnate, they take on novel growth strategies to complement ambitious expansion strategies. Sweetgreen and Just Salad are two major chains endeavoring to take on new consumer need states.

Sprouts Tops List of 5 Brands to Watch in 2025

Sprouts has enjoyed a 7.2% year-over-year visit increase, driven by small-format locations and a focus on high-quality products. Meanwhile, H Mart was also named a brand to watch by placer.ai, mainly for its innovation.

Cava’s Secret Sauce: The QSR Is So Hot Right Now

The latest financial data shows Cava is enjoying tremendous success, outpacing the fast-casual dining segment and sustaining jaw-dropping growth. Some of this success is likely thanks to its Gen Z engagement strategy.

Salad Chains Shake Things Up, Adding Comfort Food to the Menu

Fast-casual salad chains like Sweetgreen are diversifying their menus with indulgent options like fries to attract more customers. Experts say the move signals one thing: salad chains have reached a crossroads.

Biting the Bullet: Q2 Restaurant Earnings Show a Shift in Consumer Appetite

One of the biggest changes in the market over the past 10-15 years is that investors have succeeded solely by buying the best business, not necessarily the best stock. Focusing on fundamentals over quality has …

FI Fast Break audio news: July 4, 2024

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on Americans’ growing aversion to tipping, and other trending industry news.

Investors See Cava as the “Next Chipotle”

Cava has intrigued investors, as CEO Brett Schulman has argued that Mediterranean food is the “next large-scale cultural cuisine category.”

Restaurant Chains Dominate Top 10 Fastest-Growing Retail Brands

Yelp has released its first-ever list of the 50 fastest-growing brands in the U.S. Restaurant chains dominate the top ten, half of which are “challenger brands” – businesses that are not market leaders but aim to compete by disrupting their industries.

IPOs and Inflection Points: Panera and Starbucks Brace for Change

They say when one door closes, another opens. That may very well be true, but for restaurant brands and their clientele, the wrong door can sometimes lead down a disastrous path – just look at …

Column: Loyalty Apps Becoming a Boon for Fast-Food Restaurants 

One great benefit of loyalty programs is that they help businesses, like restaurant chains, build a relationship with a customer. To inspire consumers to join your program you can use price or other incentives.

Bowled Over: Bowl Chains Win Over Restaurant Goers

Juice It Up!, a restaurant chain focused on healthier-for-you offerings like super fruit bowls, has recently enjoyed a 38% sales surge.

Column: How to Retain Restaurant Workers in 2024

Scrolling through Indeed.com is an eye-opening experience. Every employer is trying to find workers because employees have a ton of options in 2023. I’ve worked with franchises for nearly 30 years, and labor has always …

Analysis: Why CAVA’s Revenue is Steadily Rising

The CAVA restaurant chain is killin’ it, seizing upon the growing popularity of Mediterranean food, as well as the build-your-own-meal concept. CAVA has officially announced plans to go forward with an initial public offering after …

Report: CAVA & Chicken Salad Chick Earn Rave Reviews

As inflation persists, it becomes more challenging for restaurants to lure customers. Nevertheless, new research shows a few chains are making strides when it comes to winning guests. Merchant Centric, a data analytics and reputation …