A Deeper Dive

Restaurant sales and traffic challenges were a huge story in 2025.This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive takes a look at the most popular episodes of the year.Perhaps unsurprisingly, each of them dealt with the challenged industry environment. We spoke with Circana’s David Portalatin about consumers buying on a deal. We spoke multiple times with Technomic’s Rich Shank about the state of the restaurant industry.We also spoke with National Restaurant Association Chief Economist Chad Moutray about the impact this is having on profitability.And we wrap it up with Savory Fund Cofounder Andrew Smith on what private equity thinks of all this, specifically why this can be a good time to find high-quality chains.

How will AI truly change the way restaurants do business?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive concludes our series on the impact of AI on the restaurant industry with a discussion of exactly where the technology will be felt the most.Over the past five weeks, we’ve looked at how AI is affecting fast-food restaurants in the drive-thru, how it’s influencing menu and marketing along with back-of-house tasks. We discuss which of these areas the impact will be felt the most, and where we’re more skeptical. We also talk about what areas surprised us, and how all this will change the industry over the next five years. 

AI is already having a big influence on restaurant marketing. This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive continues our examination of the impact artificial intelligence is having on restaurant marketing. The technology is having an impact on marketing for everything from local restaurants to major chains.Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski speaks with Khara Mangiduyos, who uses AI to help her restaurant, Kalei’s Kitchenette. He spoke with Bikky cofounder Abhinav Kapur and Presto cofounder Krishna Gupta, who each talk about their AI-based technology. Guszkowski also talks with former Sonic executive Craig Miller about how these can work with a big chain.We’re talking AI in marketing on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Customers may see AI when they order from their favorite restaurant on an app or in the drive-thru, but the technology’s biggest impact may be behind the scenes.This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive continues our examination of the impact AI is having on the restaurant industry. This week’s episode looks at the technology’s impact in the back of the house. Senior Technology Editor Joe Guszkowski looks at the invisible ways that AI is in use in restaurants, including managing inventory and labor, forecasting sales and predicting kitchen needs. We speak with Dan Anfinson, COO of First Watch franchisee Mac Haik Restaurant Group. We also speak with Matt Wampler, cofounder of AI company ClearCOGs, Bruce Harris of Torchy’s Tacos and Khara Mangiduyos of the single-unit Kalei’s Kitchenette in San Diego.We’re looking at AI in the back of the house so please check it out.

AI can’t necessarily make a burger, but it can help learn what kind of burger to put on the menu.In this episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive, we continue our examination on the impact AI is having on restaurant menu development. The podcast features Christian Frangiatis, the executive chef of One by Spork in Pittsburgh. It also features Jet Tila; Marcus Merritt, the manager of Wiley and Rum, a Cuban-Caribbean fusion restaurant in Atlanta; and Chef Ian Ramirez, the founder of Mad Honey Culinary.The podcast looks at the way they use artificial intelligence in big and subtle ways, from menu development to ingredient purchasing. We’re talking AI and the menu on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.