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.

Foodservice Focus: Consumers Can’t Get Enough of Texas Roadhouse, Chick-fil-A

Legacy chains like Chick-fil-A are seeing customer satisfaction scores hold even as growth slows, opening doors for challenger QSRs. Meanwhile, full-service dining has largely stumbled amid rising prices.

Next Successful Franchise Opportunity Could Be Ramen

Interest in ramen has grown over the past five years, with mentions of ramen entrees increasing more than 32% during the period, mostly at full-service restaurants.

Why Chipotle’s Nutrition Filters Hint at Menus of the Future

Jennifer Kaplan, a former instructor at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California, thinks Chipotle just released a menu upgrade that’ll be well-received. The chain recently added nutrition filters to its app and …

Restaurants Receive Boost from Stimulus, But Can it Last?

Restaurant chains are getting a sales bump from the latest round of stimulus money, but if patterns mimic the first round, the lift could be short-lived. STIMULUS IMPACT While the amounts given in the roughly …