Shows / Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Extra Serving is a series of weekly podcasts hosted by the editorial team at Nation’s Restaurant News, the leading source for information and insights on the American restaurant industry. Covering the latest and most relevant topics in foodservice — including emerging chains, food trends, technology, and more — Extra Serving features a recap of the week’s biggest headlines, plus guests ranging from restaurant owners and operators to CEOs, founders, chefs, and other experts.
Episodes
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
What to expect of beverages in 2026, Starbucks’ merch controversy, and full service explores value
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief SamOches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including (yes, more)…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Was this 2025’s craziest restaurant news week yet? Breaking down all the M&A, earnings news
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news — and wow was there a…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Chili’s wows once more while Chipotle struggles and everyone else turns to beverages
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including earnings…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Big Mamma's Victor Lugger on bringing restaurant payments into the 21st century
The pandemic might have pushed Victor Lugger to create a payment app, but he argues that paying at restaurants has always been a bit broken. Asking for a…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Starbucks’ plans for AI, how the AWS outage hurt restaurants, and why Q3 could be bad
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Starbucks’…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Jack in the Box gives up on Del Taco, guests get deal fatigue, and Domino’s crushes Q3
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Jack in…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Domino’s big refresh, Wendy’s strategic shift, and McDonald’s Snack Wrap struggles
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Domino’s…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Loyalty program innovations, value deals galore, and the chicken wars heat up
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
How chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley of The View creates a menu that is straightforward yet delicious
For executive chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley, the draw of The View wasn’t the novelty of the rotating restaurant or the history behind the space. It was the new…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Chick-fil-A joins the beverage bandwagon, plus a whole lot of restaurant closures
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Cracker Barrel’s results are in, Olive Garden shrinks its portions, and Starbucks is getting sued
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Cracker…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
How Chef India Doris weaves her identity and experience into NYC's Markette
India Doris traveled the world, soaking up knowledge and culinary skills from a young age. She “grew up” in the restaurant world at a time when fine dining…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Yum’s exec shake-up, Potbelly’s acquisition, and inflation warning signs
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Yum…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Taco Bell’s AI glitches, Starbucks enjoys its best week ever, and McDonald’s draws a line in the sand
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Taco…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Founding Farmers' Dan Simons on advocating for farmers and employees
Dan Simons, Founding Farmers co-founder, opened his first restaurant in 2008 before terms like sustainability and farm-to-table were commonplace on menus…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Taylor Swift engagement mania, NFL promo deals, and the future of veganism
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso start by talking about the biggest story in the restaurant…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
McDonald’s scores with value, Chipotle takes to the skies, and Cracker Barrel becomes a lightning rod
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso tackle a noisy week for restaurants, including McDonald’s value…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Puzzling over restaurants’ strange Q2, featuring CAVA, Red Robin, Chili’s, and more
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso try to dissect 2025’s bizarre second quarter and the flashing…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
What to learn from a crazy earnings week, including results from McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Wendy’s, and more
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the whopping 18 companies that reported earnings last…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Wingstop’s high-tech success, Shake Shack’s plans to support growth, and what’s going wrong at Starbucks
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Wingstop’s latest quarterly earnings, which may have…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Domino’s earnings success, Chipotle’s value problem, and McDonald’s new beverage plan
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN executive editor Alicia Kelso and managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister discuss the beginnings of earnings season. Domino’s…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
KFC’s comeback plan, McDonald’s Snack Wrap boom, and a peek at Chili’s marketing strategy
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss KFC’s new comeback campaign, which includes a mad-looking…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
The pizza value wars heat up, Burger King innovates with the Whopper, and TV ads are important again
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss how pizza chains like Domino’s, Little Caesars, and Pizza…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
How the Big Beautiful Bill affects restaurants, new menu R&D gets exclusive, and what to know about falling traffic
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso unpack the Trump Administration’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ which…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Taco Bell’s beverage bet, McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme split, and immigration raids’ impact on sales
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Taco Bell’s announcement that it would expand its Live…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
The most satisfying restaurant chains, Darden’s impressive results, and what to make of MAHA
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index, which…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Chicken, beverage, value: Updates on the 3 biggest restaurant trends of the year
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the three biggest trends of 2025: chicken, beverages, and…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Popeyes’ fires first shot in chicken wrap wars, Sweetgreen seasons things up, and Dave’s gets the big money
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Popeyes’ new Chicken Wraps, which come in three varieties…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
CosMc’s is kaput, Red Robin shows signs of life, and the summer of value is here
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss McDonald’s announcement that it would shutter its CosMc’s…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Darden closures, McDonald’s late-night hours, and Portillo’s smaller footprint
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso share their thoughts on the recent National Restaurant…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
CAVA is crushing, Luckin Coffee is officially stateside, and ‘uncertainty’ is the word of the year
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso talk about the trend of international brands growing into the…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
The problem with breakfast, some surprising restaurant success, and DoorDash’s global conquest
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso recap another week of Q1 earnings reports. This week brought more…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
The good, the bad, and the ugly of restaurants’ Q1 performance
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso recap the week in Q1 earnings reports, which saw results from…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Get to Know a Nonprofit, Episode 4: Giving Kitchen
Throughout the month of April, Extra Serving is bringing you a new bonus content series: Get to Know a Nonprofit, highlighting nonprofit organizations that…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Chipotle’s surprising sales, Jersey Mike’s big CEO change, and McDonald’s new menu item
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Chipotle first-quarter earnings, in which both sales and…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Starbucks’ dress code, Red Robin’s bottomless burgers, and top chain performance trends
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Starbucks’ new uniform policy, which calls for…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Get to Know a Nonprofit, Episode 3: National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Throughout the month of April, Extra Serving is bringing you a new bonus content series: Get to Know a Nonprofit, highlighting nonprofit organizations that…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Introducing the Power List, Biglari makes El Pollo his next target, and the status of inflation
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the 2025 Power List, which features 52 of the most…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Get to Know a Nonprofit, Episode 2: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Throughout the month of April, Extra Serving is bringing you a new bonus content series: Get to Know a Nonprofit, highlighting nonprofit organizations that…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Hooters’ bankruptcy, Yum’s CEO to retire, and what to know about tariffs
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Hooters’ bankruptcy filing and the fact that it would be…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Get to Know a Nonprofit, Episode 1: Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry
Throughout the month of April, Extra Serving is bringing you a new bonus content series: Get to Know a Nonprofit, highlighting nonprofit organizations that…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
McDonald’s beats Starbucks in key metric and more restaurant chains hit retail shelves
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the recent report that McDonald’s had surpassed Starbucks…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Yum’s big AI innovation, red flags with consumer sentiment, and Darden’s reason for optimism
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso start by talking about Alicia’s recent trip to Atlanta, where she…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
McDonald’s plan to beat back competitors, Starbucks’ plan to become a coffeeshop again
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso start by talking about the 5-year anniversary of the Covid-19…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Taco Bell’s cult-like following, Wendy’s big growth plans, and chains slashing menus
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Alicia’s time at Taco Bell’s Live Mas Live event in New…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
How CAVA, Domino’s, Jack in the Box, Red Robin, and more fared in the latest quarter
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss sales results from several prominent restaurant…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
KFC’s move to Texas, the mirage of sales growth, new menu items from Taco Bell and more
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss KFC’s announcement that it would move its U.S…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Dutch Bros’ torrid pace, McDonald’s bumpy road, low-income consumers tighten belts
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss recent earnings reports from major restaurant companies…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Chipotle’s winning ways, Yum’s new AI division, and restaurant growth in 2025
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the news that Dine Brands is laying off 9% of its…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Chili’s eye-popping results, Chuck E. Cheese rebound, and exciting new menu collabs
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the never-ending news cycle that is Starbucks, where new…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
New loyalty programs, Starbucks’ layoffs, Hot ‘n Now’s resurrection campaign
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the news that Hot ‘n Now — a Michigan-based burger quick…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Shake Shack’s big growth goals, Papa Johns’ course correction, Twin Peaks’ IPO
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the biggest headlines coming out of the ICR Conference…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Why M&A is picking up, McDonald's reworks big policy, KFC aims to transform
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss McDonald's announcement that it would walk back its…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Two early trends for 2025, Noodles & Co.’s struggles, and the potential in breakfast
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss two trends that have already made themselves known in the…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
KFC’s new tenders brand, Darden’s impressive performance, PizzaExpress’s plans for the U.S.
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss KFC’s new Saucy concept, a spinoff brand opening in…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Taco Bell’s new beverage concept, Papa Johns turnaround plan, and Starbucks’ better benefits
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Taco Bell’s new Live Mas Café, a beverage-focused…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Chi-Chi’s resurrection, Pizza Hut’s drive thru, and a Top 500 preview
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the news that Michael McDermott, son of Chi-Chi’s founder…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
Subway’s CEO transition, catering’s potential, and consumer trends in 2025
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Subway’s announcement that CEO John Chidsey would retire…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
The Jersey Mike’s acquisition, McDonald’s new value meal, and food trends for 2025
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Blackstone’s acquisition of Jersey Mike’s. The brand’s…
- Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast
CAVA’s massive success, Wonder’s acquisition of Grubhub, and some good news for full service
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss CAVA’s massive third-quarter success, which included a…