Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Yum Brands’ C-suite shake-up, RaceTrac’s Potbelly acquisition, and concerning data on inflation and jobs. First up is Yum Brands, which announced a shake-up of the C-suite that included adding a new title for Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant plus...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Taco Bell’s plans for voice AI in the drive thru, Starbucks’ best week ever, McDonald’s issue with tipped wages, and M&A activity heating up. First up is Taco Bell, which found itself in headlines when a viral video showed its voice AI g...

Dan Simons, Founding Farmers co-founder, opened his first restaurant in 2008 before terms like sustainability and farm-to-table were commonplace on menus. Today the farmer-owned restaurant continues to help set the standards for how a mission-driven company can meet the needs of farmers, guests, and employees. Speaking to guest host Gloria Dawson, Dan discusses how everything from the Bl...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso start by talking about the biggest story in the restaurant industry — Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce, of course. Indeed, the news captured the attention of not just Swifties but also nearly every brand in America, as companies rushed to meme-ify the engagement or otherwise ride its co...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso tackle a noisy week for restaurants, including McDonald’s value moves, Chipotle’s drone delivery, and the national uproar around Cracker Barrel. First up is McDonald’s, which is driving buzz with a number of menu moves, including two special meal deals — the nostalgic McDonaldland Meal and...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso try to dissect 2025’s bizarre second quarter and the flashing warning signs that the industry sees in consumer behavior. First up is an analysis of CAVA, which was once a sure-fire success but which experienced a more or less flat quarter, sending its stock price plummeting. Combined with the st...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the whopping 18 companies that reported earnings last week, from the good (McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Dutch Bros, Taco Bell, and BJ’s) to the bad (Pizza Hut and KFC) to the very bad (Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, and Sweetgreen). Alicia connects the dots on how the companies that are focusing o...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Wingstop’s latest quarterly earnings, which may have seemed disappointing — same-store sales were down 1.9% — but are actually impressive when you consider the fact that it’s compared with a 28.7% growth from the same time period a year ago. Sam and Alicia discuss what’s been k...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN executive editor Alicia Kelso and managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister discuss the beginnings of earnings season. Domino’s numbers were better than we’ve come to expect from the pizza chain as they claw back market share. What’s the secret, and can it continue? Next, they talk about Chipotle’s earnings, which were grimmer: That brand saw a same-store sales decli...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss KFC’s new comeback campaign, which includes a mad-looking Colonel Sanders and an invitation for guests to share their input (plus free chicken). KFC has been in need of a comeback for a while; could this finally be the plan that works? Next they talk about McDonald’s Snack Wrap launch, w...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss how pizza chains like Domino’s, Little Caesars, and Pizza Hut are increasingly turning to value deals to get customers’ attention. It’s no surprise in a year when so many other restaurant chains are leveraging value, but what does it signify about where pizza is headed — especially now t...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso unpack the Trump Administration’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ which cleared the House on Thursday and was signed into law by President Trump on Friday. What should restaurant leaders know about the bill and how it affects their business? Sam and Alicia break it down. Next they discuss new menu items f...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Taco Bell’s announcement that it would expand its Live Mas Café platform to an additional 30 locations before the end of the year — and eventually to all U.S. locations. The test at a San Diego location has been so successful that Taco Bell expects beverage could be a $5 billion pla...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index, which once again named Chick-fil-A and Texas Roadhouse as the top fast-food and full-service chains according to guest satisfaction. What do this year’s rankings say about the state of the restaurant industry — and how brands can keep...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the three biggest trends of 2025: chicken, beverages, and value deals. First up is chicken, as they talk about Taco Bell’s new Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos, Culver’s new chicken lineup, and Chick-fil-A’s two new sandwich tests. As major chains pile on the surge in chicken offerings,...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Popeyes’ new Chicken Wraps, which come in three varieties and appear to be a direct shot at McDonald’s, which is preparing to re-release its Snack Wraps. Have the Chicken Sandwich Wars suddenly become the Chicken Wrap Wars? Sam and Alicia discuss the trend and why we could see a tsunami...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss McDonald’s announcement that it would shutter its CosMc’s locations after barely a year and a half in business. Is CosMc’s a massive failure for the company, or did McDonald’s get everything it needed out of its sister concept? Sam and Alicia debate. Then they discuss Red Robin’s surpris...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso share their thoughts on the recent National Restaurant Association Show, the biggest restaurant event in the world that’s held each year in Chicago. Their perspective? Expect more innovation around beverages, personalization, and AI. Then they discuss Darden’s announcement that it would shutter...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso talk about the trend of international brands growing into the U.S., which included the first U.S. opening of Luckin Coffee last week (the Chinese coffee chain has 23,000 locations globally). Will Luckin, tea concept Chagee, and other international brands like Jollibee find success with U.S. cons...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso recap another week of Q1 earnings reports. This week brought more optimistic news than last, with companies like Burger King, Noodles & Co., and Dine Brands reporting better than expected (albeit in some cases still negative) results. First, though, Sam and Alicia explore breakfast and famil...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso recap the week in Q1 earnings reports, which saw results from companies like Yum Brands, Brinker, McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Wendy’s. They start with the bad: Many chains, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Starbucks, experienced negative sales and traffic as consumers tightened their belts in a...

Throughout the month of April, Extra Serving is bringing you a new bonus content series: Get to Know a Nonprofit, highlighting nonprofit organizations that either benefit members of the restaurant industry or actively work through the restaurant industry to benefit others.    Next up in Get to Know a Nonprofit is Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance fo...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Chipotle first-quarter earnings, in which both sales and traffic were down. Considering Chipotle’s incredible success since the early days of the pandemic, the results — largely influenced by a volatile consumer season marred by bad weather events, wildfires, rampant sickness, and politi...

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Starbucks’ new uniform policy, which calls for neutral-color clothing that lets the brand’s signature green apron stand out. Employees aren’t happy about the change, but could it be another smart step in the turnaround process kicked off by new CEO Brian Niccol? Then they discuss Re...

Throughout the month of April, Extra Serving is bringing you a new bonus content series: Get to Know a Nonprofit, highlighting nonprofit organizations that either benefit members of the restaurant industry or actively work through the restaurant industry to benefit others.  Next up in Get to Know a Nonprofit is the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, or NRAEF, which i...