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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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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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.

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The restaurant industry could post a 1-2% same-store sales increase for 2025, BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen tells Bloomberg’s restaurants reporter Daniela Sirtori. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Halen and Sirtori discuss BI’s views on 2H same-store sales and margins. They also talk about what economic indicators and more discerning consumers mean for top-line growth, as well as BI’s outlook for several companies, including Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, McDonald’s and Starbucks.

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Sales almost double when Smokey Bones restaurants are converted to the Twin Peaks chain, FAT Brands’ Chairman Andy Wiederhorn said on this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast. Wiederhorn joins Michael Halen, Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst, to discuss FAT Brands’ growth opportunities, including Twin Peaks, and plans to repay debt. He also comments on franchisee health, everyday value and the refranchising of Fazoli’s.

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US restaurant development is outpacing population growth by about 5x, according to SignalFlare.ai Founder and CEO Michael Lukianoff. In this episode of Choppin’ It Up, Lukianoff sits down with Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst, Michael Halen, to discuss how chains can use data analytics and AI to compete in a difficult environment. He also comments on strategic pricing, quick-service discounting, marketing tactics and weak spending among middle-income consumers.

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Establishing a digital relationship with the 75% of a chain’s patrons that aren’t loyalty customers will be the growth engine for full-service restaurant traffic going forward, Ziosk Cofounder and Chief Revenue and Growth Officer Raymond Howard tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Howard sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company’s offerings, including order and pay on demand, are helping restaurant chains improve their restaurant operations and marketing. He also comments on AI and his vision of the smart-table experience of the future.

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M&A is a great opportunity for HF Foods Group because Asian specialty foodservice distribution is primarily made up of smaller competitors and HF is the only national player in the US, CEO and President Felix Lin tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Lin sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s plans to grow organically and via acquisitions. He also comments on the new e-commerce platform, competition from Sysco and the impact of tariffs.

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