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NRN editors discuss Chipotle’s big numbers, the future of beef, and Valentine’s Day promotionsNRN editors discuss Chipotle’s big numbers, the future of beef, and Valentine’s Day promotions

Plus, hear an exclusive conversation between Sam Oches and Robert Byrne of Technomic where they spoke about the NRN report, America’s Favorite Chains

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

February 9, 2024

 

This week on the Extra Serving podcast, a product of Nation’s Restaurant News, NRN editors Holly Petre, Sam Oches, and Bret Thorn talked about recent restaurant earnings.

This week, the earnings conversation will focus on Chipotle, which saw massive gains during the fourth quarter. The fast-casual chain bucked all trends with a same-store sales increase of 8.4% with a 7.4% increase in transactions compared to a 1.6% decline industrywide. The editors talked about how Chipotle has managed to exceed both analyst and industry expectations and what this means for the future of Chipotle as it looks to have 7,000 restaurants shortly.

Then, the editors talked about the future of burgers. Several chains have revamped their burger offerings within the past few months, maybe as a reaction to chicken overtaking much of the beef business these past few years. The biggest name on the list we compiled was McDonald’s. When the chain introduced its “best burgers ever” and rolled it out systemwide in January, it was a big statement considering the chain was built on its burger. Will this help some of these brands that have been struggling? And will it bring consumers back to beef?

Finally, NRN’s editor-in-chief Oches talked about two of our big projects: Burger Showdown and Breakout Brands.

Related:Chipotle proves traffic gains are possible in this environment

This week, you’ll hear an exclusive conversation between Oches and Robert Byrne of Technomic. They dove deep into America’s Favorite Chains.

 

About the Author

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a digital editor for Nation’s Restaurant News as well as the host of NRN’s podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Group’s other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

 

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