The Food Focus Podcast

Food Focus 6/14/17 – Yet Another Fast-Casual Pizza Player, Del Taco’s New CEO

Where we discussed an increasingly crowded fast-casual burger space last week, we discuss the race to be the “Chipotle of pizza” this week, as Oath Craft Pizza secures funding to grow on the East Coast. We explore differentiators there and at Del Taco, and their new CEO presented their plans to continue QSR+ dominance. Finally, we look into J.M. Smucker earnings and another city’s recently-passed soda tax.

Food Focus 6/8/17 – BurgerFi Further Crowds the Field, Impact of Egg Prices on the Industry

In a fast-casual landscape that already features its share of upscale burger joints, BurgerFi seeks to squeeze into the little remaining white space with new franchisee agreements.  We take a deep dive into egg prices, and how continued low price points for the staple impacts grocers and restaurants. Additionally, we discuss a tuna-related food safety issue, more Buffalo Wild Wings, and Kelly Investment Group’s potential deal to buy struggling Joe’s Crab Shack.

Food Focus 6/2/17 – Nutella’s Concept Café Opens, Two Large Colorado-Based Storylines

We begin the show by discussing Nutella—not because of serving size debates, but because their new concept restaurant in Chicago opened this week. We take a look at industry specials and promotions for Memorial Day before turning our focus to Colorado, who celebrated the six-month anniversary of a new retail liquor law and whose fast-casual chain Smashburger adds another protein option.

Food Focus 5/24/17 – Independent Operators Elicit Positive Sentiment, Cracker Barrel Heads West

After a Pentallect report emerged showing independent restaurant operators scoring vastly higher in many consumer sentiment categories in comparison to their chain restaurant peers, we discuss what chain operators can do to counter this trend. Additionally, Cracker Barrel seeks to open more units on the West Coast, Golden Corral rolls out brunch, and trends at the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

Food Focus 5/17/17 – Weis Markets Grows Via Acquisition, A&W Seeks New Franchisees

Supermarket chain Weis Markets added stores through acquisition last year, and seeks to continue to do so…we discuss how their bolstered store portfolio affects their operations. Also, A&W shifts back into a growth mode and seeks new franchisees to help achieve more net new store openings, Wendy’s enjoys another positive earnings call, and an FSR group appears on the ledge of bankruptcy (or a sale).

Food Focus 5/10/17 – New Questions Surround Shake Shack, Applebee’s Scuffles

Despite an increase in overall revenue, questions about after Shake Shack displays lowered same-store sales in the latest quarter. We discuss whether the company’s reasons for the declines are valid, and also address a generally positive earnings call from Wingstop, continued sales falloffs at Applebee’s, and a slight expansion plan at Ingles Markets.

Food Focus 5/3/17 – Arby’s Continues Progression, Effect of Sugary Drink Tax on Retail

With earnings season upon us, we start the episode by detailing what Arby’s is doing correctly, why Bloomin’ Brands is trying to open up capital, and what could potentially lead to a turnaround at BJ’s. Additionally, we take a deeper look at data provided by a study of Berkeley, CA following the implementation of a sugary drink excise tax, and what effects the tax may or may not have on retail outlets.

Food Focus 4/26/17 – Chipotle Smashes Expectations, R Taco Multiplies, McDonald’s Earnings

It’s a Food Focus episode of optimism, as a number of businesses look towards immediate growth. We begin with Chipotle, where same-restaurant sales crushed analyst opinions, and continue with McDonald’s, where All-Day Breakfast 2.0 appears to be working after all. We finish the show with two smaller operators seeking long-term expansion: R Taco and Papaya King.

Food Focus 4/19/17 – Firehouse Subs Goes Small, Chipotle’s Limited Price Hike

Firehouse Subs rolls out a new line of smaller subs in an effort to appeal to calorie- and cost-conscious consumers. Meanwhile, kefir provider Lifeway funnels more money into marketing and product development, Chipotle raises prices at 20% of locations, and we address numbers suggesting restaurant growth may be slowing in the U.S.

Food Focus 4/6/17 – JAB Carb-Loads with Panera, New Major League Baseball Food Items

We begin with the acquisition that had everyone in the food industry abuzz this week, as JAB seeks to purchase Panera for $7.5 billion. We also glance at earnings from Inventure Foods, an effort by Buffalo Wild Wings to sell some stores to franchisees, and with MLB Opening Day this week, a look around new and emerging food trends at ballparks throughout the country.