What other restaurant can you go to and get a chicken-fried oyster taco? Velvet Taco CEO Clay Dover sits down with Bloomberg Intelligence senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen in this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast to discuss the chain’s unique menu and fun, irreverent culture. He also comments on the chain’s opportunities for top-line growth, including US and international development, as well as its new bowl launch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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46:28
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46:28
Restaurants Set the Table for Better 2H Sales
The restaurant industry could post a 1-2% same-store sales increase for 2025, BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen tells Bloomberg’s restaurants reporter Daniela Sirtori. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Halen and Sirtori discuss BI’s views on 2H same-store sales and margins. They also talk about what economic indicators and more discerning consumers mean for top-line growth, as well as BI’s outlook for several companies, including Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, McDonald’s and Starbucks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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43:47
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43:47
FAT Brands’ Wiederhorn on Growth, Debt Paydown
Sales almost double when Smokey Bones restaurants are converted to the Twin Peaks chain, FAT Brands’ Chairman Andy Wiederhorn said on this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast. Wiederhorn joins Michael Halen, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst, to discuss FAT Brands’ growth opportunities, including Twin Peaks, and plans to repay debt. He also comments on franchisee health, everyday value and the refranchising of Fazoli’s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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23:38
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23:38
SignalFlare.ai’s Lukianoff on Data Analytics, AI
US restaurant development is outpacing population growth by about 5x, according to SignalFlare.ai Founder and CEO Michael Lukianoff. In this episode of Choppin’ It Up, Lukianoff sits down with Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst, Michael Halen, to discuss how chains can use data analytics and AI to compete in a difficult environment. He also comments on strategic pricing, quick-service discounting, marketing tactics and weak spending among middle-income consumers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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42:52
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42:52
Ziosk’s Howard on Lifting Sales, Ops Via Digital
Establishing a digital relationship with the 75% of a chain’s patrons that aren’t loyalty customers will be the growth engine for full-service restaurant traffic going forward, Ziosk Cofounder and Chief Revenue and Growth Officer Raymond Howard tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Howard sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company’s offerings, including order and pay on demand, are helping restaurant chains improve their restaurant operations and marketing. He also comments on AI and his vision of the smart-table experience of the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Choppin’ It Up” by Bloomberg Intelligence features conversations with analysts, executives and entrepreneurs that are shaping the future of the restaurant industry. Topics include human capital, ghost kitchens, menu pricing, the FAST Act and everything in between. The podcast is hosted by Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst Michael Halen.
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