There was a big misconception that Chipotle's success was based on its customization and that people just wanted customized everything. But they already have a lot of customized options.

So he did a Steve Easterbrook?

The price question is interesting. I'm sure it had an impact over time. But it's not as if those $6.99 pizza chains are thriving right now. They are not. But it was definitely tough to market single-serve pizzas that cost more than that.

Starbucks has released its top 9 "most viral" customer-created drinks of 2025. No. 1 is unsurprisingly the Dubai Chocolate-inspired Matcha Latte. There's also the No. 8 Gummy Shark, a summer berry refresher minus the pearls and plus vanilla cold foam. https://t.co/HmBD0cWVkC

This is brilliant

Pieology largely blames the pandemic, which is an easy excuse for restaurant chains. But there were plenty of indications pre-pandemic that the fast-casual pizza trend just didn't have legs. Companies were already showing decline (Pie Five, PizzaRev). Some started changing

So we're in the "negative 1%" is good era of the restaurant recession now. This was the 11th straight negative quarter.

Hey remember when the fast-casual pizza business was going to take over the world? Apparently it didn't.

This is something: A 77-unit Hardee's franchisee, which bought the locations two years ago out of bankruptcy, has been terminated by the franchisor over unpaid royalties, etc. Same company that owns Church's and Quiznos. https://t.co/BCQH7hinB0

This morning's McDonald's news on franchisee value standards is pretty notable because the company is increasing its oversight of franchisee pricing decisions. In a franchise like this one, franchisees are the ones who determine prices, which is important because they are

McDonald's is writing value into its franchising standards. The company says franchisees will still control prices but it will assess their use of third-party pricing vendors, etc. $MCD https://t.co/KsIN6WCwiP

Let the Christmas season begin.

You can apparently buy White Castle Crocs now. Wear them with your McDonald's Grinch socks ... Anyway you can also get things like casserole dishes, mugs, a dragon, pickleball paddles and whatnot. https://t.co/gMSkauVBk5

Some guy you guys might know is on this list. Ultra cool honor for someone like me who decades ago was plucked out of obscurity and given a chance to write for TCB. And now I’m on a list.

Let me explain Subway for a second. This is a brand that very, very aggressively sold investors on the idea that it could place a location anywhere. At its peak it operated like 27k+ locations. It had locations in community centers, churches and even a crane at the World Trade

Honestly, it's difficult to be happy when your AUVs are roughly at the level they were 13 years ago and the company has gone through the ridiculous number of issues it has gone through over the past decade.

Remember Macaroni Grill? Which put not one but two companies into bankruptcy? It was then sold to a brand collector who also couldn't make it work, then was sold to the guys that ultimately killed Old Country Buffet. Anyway it's down to 9 locations. https://t.co/7RkNR6v7uH

Jersey Mike's, Firehouse Subs and Jimmy Johns all require customers to buy the equivalent of about 12 subs to get a free sandwich on their loyalty programs. Subway kicked off a buy 3, get-one free deal with its Sub Club. Operators are, uh, not happy. https://t.co/tn9fBJ6E73

I had AI write me a dad joke about Fat Brands ... I take no blame for this. It was the bot. Why did Fat Brands bring a scale to their board meeting? Because they wanted to weigh their options before declaring bankruptcy!