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Papa Johns takeover?, Panera layoffs, skipping breakfastPapa Johns takeover?, Panera layoffs, skipping breakfast

Get all the headlines in today’s Restaurant Daily podcast

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

February 18, 2025

Could Papa Johns get a takeover bid? Wall Street thinks it’s possible. Irth Capital Management is reportedly considering an offer for the pizza chain

About 350 people are being laid off at Panera Bread with the planned closure of two fresh dough facilities. 

Starbucks said it had record results from its recent Starbucks Monday promotion on the day after the Super Bowl.

Wendy’s plans to expand its test of voice-activated AI in its drive-thrus to more than 500 locations by the end of this year, up from about 100 right now. 

Wingstop Inc. has partnered with Houston Rockets’ shooting guard Jalen Green for its National Basketball Association All-Star Game television ads. They debut on Friday. 

Get all the headlines in today's Restaurant Daily podcast.

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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