Each week, NRN editor-in-chief Sarah Lockyer gives you her take on the top restaurant industry news.
In 2008, I had a bankruptcy betting sheet on which restaurant companies would fall victim to lending covenants and the changed-in-an-instant economy. In 2013, I had an IPO betting sheet on who was next to cash in on rising valuations for restaurant company offerings. After reading this week’s top story from NRN senior finance editor Jonathan Maze on which companies may actually be targets to go private, I’m wondering if it’s time to start tallying a list of possibilities. (Full disclosure: By bets I really mean handshakes, and while Jonathan and I had yet to work together back in 2008 or 2013, we still exchanged some wagers at various meetings. I think I’m up, although Jonathan may disagree.)
Both Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group Inc. and Bravo Brio Restaurant Group Inc. are starting to get some buzz about potential going-private deals because of valuations and performance. Jonathan presents the possibilities and the analyst community’s views in his piece. Also review Del Frisco’s latest-quarter results, which includes weak sales at the company’s more casual Grille brand, a disappointment that led to an earnings miss.
Outside of finance, some great food trends caught the attention of our audience, including a look at the top five trends in ethnic cuisine. Ethnic fusion rose to the top of chef expectations for the year, as American consumers are still looking for a combination of comfort and accessibility, as well as new tastes and flavors. NRN senior food editor Bret Thorn breaks down this phenomenon and the other four top chef predictions for 2015.
Take a look at NRN’s top 10 most popular stories:
1. Could these restaurant companies go private?
2. Taco Bell tests new co-branded Cap’n Crunch Delights
3. Don Thompson will still get paid this year
4. Real Mex names third new CEO in four years
5. Potbelly CFO Charles Talbot resigns
6. Top 5 ethnic food trends for 2015
7. Domino’s debuts smartwatch app
8. IHOP reports best same-store sales in a decade
9. Qdoba unveils new 'in your face' prototype design
10. Del Frisco’s to address 'disappointing' Grille performance
