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Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcastThis podcast will share ideas from restaurant innovators on leadership, food trends, technology and how to thrive in this tough industry that we cant get enough of. Author: Nation's Restaurant News
Extra Serving is a series of weekly podcasts hosted by the editorial team at Nations Restaurant News, the leading source for information and insights on the American restaurant industry. Covering the latest and most relevant topics in foodservice including emerging chains, food trends, technology, and more Extra Serving features a recap of the weeks biggest headlines, plus guests ranging from restaurant owners and operators to CEOs, founders, chefs, and other experts. Language: en Genres: News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Chipotle swings positive, Starbucks wows, and Wingstop lays an egg
Monday, 4 May, 2026
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including the latest earnings results from Chipotle, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Domino’s, Chili’s, and Wingstop. First up is Chipotle, which earned positive same-store sales (albeit ever so slightly) after a negative 2025. Even more noteworthy: a quarter of all transactions included a protein add-on. Sam and Alicia discuss the results and why Chipotle should be bullish on the rest of the year. Next up is Starbucks, which impressed with 7.1% same-store sales growth in the latest quarter. CEO Brian Niccol declared that the company was putting the “turn” in “turnaround,” as the results are the culmination of nearly two years’ worth of changes that the coffee giant has made to get back to growth. Sam and Alicia dive into the results and how they set Starbucks up in the ever-crowded beverage category. They then speed through several other companies’ results — including Chili’s, Taco Bell, KFC, and Domino’s — before jumping into a conversation on Wingstop, which disappointed with an 8.7% same-store sales decline. The company blamed the results on inclement weather events and a cautious consumer, but if that’s the case, why are other chains turning out positive results? Sam and Alicia attempt to answer the question. Finally, in the Quick Fire portion of the episode, they tackle Papa Johns’ new AI assistant, Subway’s first-ever value menu, and Sweetgreen’s familiar “Faces of the Farm” campaign.For more on these stories:Chipotle swings positive after a tough 2025Starbucks’ sales improve in a 'milestone’ quarterWingstop’s Q1 hammered by weather, consumer pressures
