Cracker Barrel’s innovation team is “on fire” and just getting started, CEO Julie Masino tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Masino sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s approach to menu enhancement. She also comments on Cracker Barrel’s value, changes to its marketing program and a 17 percentage-point improvement in employee turnover in 1Q.

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Leaning into the wood fired grills, bringing fine-dining elements to a more casual environment and an affinity for families are points of differentiation for Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, CEO Steve Kislow tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Kislow sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the drivers of the chain’s same-store sales outperformance vs. casual dining peers. He also comments on employee turnover, one-to-one marketing and his outlook for inflation in 2025.

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Fast-food chains have lost their value and convenience advantages over competitors, Restaurant Insight Monitor Founder and Partner Tom Wagner tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Wagner sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how lower cost of goods sold and the proliferation of mobile apps have hurt quick-service industry sales. He also comments on McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal and why it’s so important for restaurant chains to attract millennials and Gen Z.

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