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Chili’s eye-popping results and Chuck E. Cheese’s reboundChili’s eye-popping results and Chuck E. Cheese’s rebound

Plus, exciting new menu collabs

Sam Oches, Alicia Kelso

February 3, 2025

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the never-ending news cycle that is Starbucks, where new CEO Brian Niccol has welcomed some familiar faces into the executive suite and instituted several operational changes designed to improve sales and traffic.

Plus they talk about Chili’s, which announced a staggering 31.4% same-store sales increase in its most recent quarter, the direct result of massively popular campaigns like the Triple Dipper appetizer and the company’s commitment to social media influencer marketing.

And Chuck E. Cheese seems to be reaping the rewards of a $350 million turnaround investment; what does this mean for the future of eatertainment?

In this week’s extra serving, senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn joins to talk about new menu items around the industry, particularly collaborations between organizations like Wendy’s and Girl Scouts with the Thin Mint Frosty.

Finally, hear from more experts at the recent ICR Conference in Orlando, as senior editor Joanna Fantozzi shares some insights from executives at Dutch Bros, Shake Shack, and Cracker Barrel.

For more on these stories:

• Starbucks announces more executive changes ahead of earnings call

• Chili’s 31.4% same-store sales increase in Q2 allows for investments

Related:New loyalty programs and Starbucks’ layoffs

• Chuck E. Cheese reaps the rewards of its investments

About the Authors

Sam Oches

Editor in Chief

Sam Oches is an award-winning Editorial Director with Informa Connect Foodservice and editor in chief of Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. A graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Sam previously served as Editorial Director of Food News Media, publisher of QSR and FSR magazines. He’s a past president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) and a past board member with the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). His foodservice insights have been shared in national media outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, and CNBC. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and three kids.

Alicia Kelso

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.

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