Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast · 2026-07-27 · 36 min
On this week's Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Cracker Barrel's leadership transition, Domino's barely positive sales results, and Noodle & Company's standout performance. They start with the announcement that Dave Deno has been named CEO of Cracker Barrel, replacing Julie Felss Masino, who stepped down nearly a year after Cracker Barrel found itself in hot water for a controversial rebrand that it later scrapped. What does this signal about Cracker Barrel’s strategic direction? And what does it say about diversity in restaurant leadership? Sam and Leigh Anne discuss. Speaking of Cracker Barrel, Sam and Leigh Anne next dive into M&A activity with the news that Biscuit Belly has acquired Maple Street Biscuit Company from - you guessed it - Cracker Barrel and will convert the locations over the next 18-24 months. Sam and Leigh Anne break down the strategic rationale behind the deal and explore the history of bigger brands acquiring smaller concepts before selling them off.
The good, bad, and meh of restaurant earnings, featuring Burger King, Texas Roadhouse, Wendy’s, and more79 / 100Domino’s CEO’s surprising announcement, LongHorn Steakhouse’s shocking performance, and a bevy of Starbucks news58 / 100BONUS: How Chef Avishar Barua brings humor and value to fine diningStarbucks and Chipotle shine while Wingstop flails and Jersey Mike’s goes publicCyclosporiasis outbreak traced to Taco Bell lettuce, restaurant bankruptcies surge, and a new marketing blitz