NRN editors discuss Howard Schultz’s testimony, QSR franchising, and emerging chain acquisitionsNRN editors discuss Howard Schultz’s testimony, QSR franchising, and emerging chain acquisitions

This week NRN editors Holly Petre, Sam Oches and Leigh Anne Zinsmeister going to be talking about the recent questioning of Howard Schultz by Congress on the Extra Serving podcast. A congressional committee gathered to ask the Starbucks founder and former CEO about union busting at unionized Starbucks stores. What did Schultz say? The editors get into it.

Plus, the next frontier of franchising appears to be QSR. Amid a tense economic situation, it appears QSRs are the franchise of choice according to the International Franchise Association. It would appear that QSRs are growing because of the trade-down effect. Is this true?

And finally, the editors discuss the recent uptick in emerging brand mergers and acquisitions. We saw two this week – Main Squeeze Juice Bar acquiring I Love Juice Bar and private equity acquiring Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – so does this mean the renaissance of emerging brand acquisitions we predicted has come true?

Stay tuned for a special episode later this week with our guest, Tracey Skeans, Yum Brands chief operating officer and chief people officer. That episode will be released on Wednesday, April 5.