Restaurant sales are slowly improving, led by casual dining, but cost pressures and CEO turnover pose challenges. Starbucks’ China strategy highlights the need for local control, while Mac Brand’s insights reinforce that attracting top talent and strong culture remain the true keys to long-term success in this people-driven industry.

In 2025, private equity-backed restaurant brands are transforming compensation from a simple recruiting tool into a powerful engine for growth and exit success. With tighter timelines, aggressive expansion goals, and talent scarcity, aligning pay with performance has never been more critical. This piece explores how leading portcos are rethinking C-suite and VP compensation to drive value creation, retention, and long-term investor returns.

2024 restaurant industry grapples with labor shortages, rising costs, and shifting consumer preferences.

Explore key restaurant industry success factors, pricing challenges, and strategies for maintaining profitability amidst shifting consumer dynamics.

Explore strategic AI adoption in restaurants with Ray Kelley's insights on enhancing operations and customer experiences.

John Gordon reviews the challenging Q1 for the restaurant industry, marked by weak January sales and earnings misses.

Ray Kelley explores the debate on minimum wage increases, weighing their economic impact and business implications.

Kevin Stockslager previews 2024's key restaurant industry topics at the upcoming leadership conference.

John Gordon delves into the challenges facing the restaurant industry in early 2024, including pricing and market shifts.

John Gordon explores 2024's challenges and innovations in the restaurant industry, emphasizing creative solutions.

Explore how consumer perceptions shape the adoption of automation in the restaurant industry.

John Gordon analyzes the 2024 outlook for the restaurant industry, focusing on economic trends and market challenges.