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  • Foodini’s CEO, COO on Food-Allergen Disclosure
    2025/10/22

    A significant challenge of allergen disclosure is that ingredient information is fragmented and frequently changing, while supply-chain tracking isn’t where it needs to be, Foodini cofounder and COO Erica Anderman tells Bloomberg Intelligence in this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast. Anderman and cofounder and CEO Dylan McDonnell sit down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the impact of California’s new law requiring restaurant chains to disclose major food allergens and how technology can help ease the transition. They also comment on the size of the food-allergy problem, differing regulations around the globe and which states are expected to pass allergy-disclosure legislation next.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    28 分
  • Chipotle’s Brandt on LTOs, Improving Operations
    2025/10/13

    The rubber meets the road in Chipotle restaurants and the whole company is focused on improving operations, Chief Brand Officer Chris Brandt tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Brandt sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to increase traffic and same-store sales. He comments on limited-time offers, Chipotle Rewards, international expansion and the power of influencer marketing.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    33 分
  • TipHaus’ COO on New US Tax Law, ‘Tipflation’
    2025/10/03

    The majority of full-time servers and bartenders should see more money in their pockets due to the recently enacted US tax law, TipHaus’ Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Kirk Grogan tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Grogan sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the legislation might affect employees, employers and service models. He also comments on so-called tipflation, fraud and the elimination of the tipped wage in Washington, DC.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    24 分
  • Costa Vida’s Allen on Catering, Tech and AI
    2025/09/23

    If you’re not paying attention to catering, your restaurants are missing a huge opportunity to drive revenue, Costa Vida President Wade Allen tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Allen sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the fast-casual chain is driving top-line growth. He also comments on technology improvements and the roles that AI and agentic AI are best suited to fill at the restaurant level.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    22 分
  • A Plan for Cracker Barrel’s Path to Recovery
    2025/09/15

    The great brands open up the throttle at their busiest times, Fred LeFranc, Results Thru Strategy founder, managing partner and chaos strategist, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, LeFranc sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the logo controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel and how the company can return to same-store sales and profit growth. The two discuss remodels, nostalgia, branding and the company’s upcoming earnings report.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    47 分
  • Buffets, Bambi and Big Plans at Rave’s Pizza Inn
    2025/09/02

    Pizza Inn is a massive sleeping giant with latent equity, Rave Restaurant Group CEO Brandon Solano tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Solano sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why the chain’s buffet format is its biggest growth opportunity while weighing in on fast-casual pizza weakness, the rise of “Build-Your-Own Chipotle,” and Pizza Inn’s “Bambi & Friends” pie.

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    32 分
  • SPB Hospitality’s Kern on M&A, Refranchising
    2025/08/14

    US restaurant spending has been resilient, and guests are looking for a better sit-down experience, SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Kern sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company’s brands, including J. Alexander’s and Krystal, are performing this year. He also comments on M&A and refranchising opportunities as well as dirty sodas and the impact of GLP-1s.

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    36 分
  • Velvet Taco’s Dover on Culinary Roots, Culture
    2025/08/01

    What other restaurant can you go to and get a chicken-fried oyster taco? Velvet Taco CEO Clay Dover sits down with Bloomberg Intelligence senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen in this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast to discuss the chain’s unique menu and fun, irreverent culture. He also comments on the chain’s opportunities for top-line growth, including US and international development, as well as its new bowl launch.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    46 分