Choppin’ It Up by Bloomberg Intelligence

Fast-casual chains are most exposed to the gas-price spike as their menu prices have crept up to rival full-service, SignalFlare.ai’s founder and CEO Michael Lukianoff tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Lukianoff sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to chat about the impact that higher gasoline prices and inflation will have on the restaurant industry. He also discusses menu management, population growth and, of course, AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you aren’t playing the value game, you’re turning a blind eye to a big trend in the marketplace that isn’t going away soon, Smashburger’s co-founder Tom Ryan tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Ryan and CEO Jim Sullivan sit down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how Smashburger’s $4.99 menu has contributed to its same-store sales turnaround. They discuss efforts to improve branding, operations and innovation and comment on the new marketing campaign slated for April 7.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dog Haus’ new franchisee deals “mutually align incentives” between the brand and its operators, CEO Michael Montagano tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Montagano sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company signed development agreements for 1,500 stores by offering partners a 20% equity stake, board representation and senior management roles. He also highlights the chain’s focus on quality proteins, strong unit economics and how its deal with Jake Paul boosted brand awareness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Custom packaging is a brand impression at scale and quality equates to retention for restaurant chains, SupplyCaddy co-founder and CEO Zachary Stein says on this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s Choppin’ It Up podcast. Stein sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how marketing, operations, price and predictability factor into purchasing decisions for foodservice packaging. He also comments on innovation, sustainability and the hidden labor costs restaurants face when managing a fragmented supplier base.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three out of 10 restaurant customers believe food quality is deteriorating and stores are understaffed, Lisa Miller, founder and president of Lisa W. Miller & Associates tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Miller sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen discuss the state of restaurant spending in the US. Miller also comments on attracting Gen Z customers and getting the most out of Gen Z employees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If a leader wants to run a business that’s more focused on taking care of its people, he or she has to reflect on their own values and how they embody them, Liberty Ventures Founder and CEO Alexander McCobin tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, McCobin sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the principles of conscious capitalism can help restaurant leaders leverage their values and company culture to achieve greater success. He also comments on the benefits of community, collaboration and creating value for all stakeholders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survey data show third-party delivery ads are hitting a saturation point and 45% of chains expect to invest less in the channel in 2026, Bikky Co-Founder Abhinav Kapur tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of Choppin’ It Up, Kapur sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst, Michael Halen, to discuss the findings of Bikky’s chief marketing officer survey. He also comments on US consumer spending, loyalty promotions, personalization and shrinking marketing budgets. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rubber meets the road in Chipotle restaurants and the whole company is focused on improving operations, Chief Brand Officer Chris Brandt tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Brandt sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to increase traffic and same-store sales. He comments on limited-time offers, Chipotle Rewards, international expansion and the power of influencer marketing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re not paying attention to catering, your restaurants are missing a huge opportunity to drive revenue, Costa Vida President Wade Allen tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Allen sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the fast-casual chain is driving top-line growth. He also comments on technology improvements and the roles that AI and agentic AI are best suited to fill at the restaurant level.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pizza Inn is a massive sleeping giant with latent equity, Rave Restaurant Group CEO Brandon Solano tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Solano sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why the chain’s buffet format is its biggest growth opportunity while weighing in on fast-casual pizza weakness, the rise of “Build-Your-Own Chipotle,” and Pizza Inn’s “Bambi & Friends” pie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.