A Deeper Dive

Why do brands like KFC change their beverage contracts?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features George Hiller, a longtime consultant who works with restaurant chains on their beverage strategies.We wanted to talk with Hiller after KFC made the surprising announcement that it is switching from Pepsi to Coke.A lot of chains and foodservice providers, including Culver’s, Subway, Marriott, and Costco, have changed their beverage contracts in recent years. We wanted to understand why this is happening, and what brands are seeking to accomplish when they make a change like this.George discusses these issues as well as the unique situation involving KFC, which generated a lot of headlines and discussions with its move.This is an interesting conversation about a fascinating topic so please check it out. 

How is AI impacting restaurant reservations?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Amy Wei, the chief operating officer for the online reservations company OpenTable.Amy joined the podcast to talk about the company’s recent Restaurant Impact Report. She talks about the findings from that report, including the increasing demand in restaurant reservations, and what that says about demand for independent and higher-end restaurants.We also talk about the impact AI is having on those reservations, and what’s being done to prevent agents from dominating reservations. And we discuss the overall state of restaurant demand at the moment.It’s a fascinating discussion this week so please check it out. 

Drone delivery is here. But what goes into it?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Kent Ferguson, the head of partnerships with the Alphabet Inc.-owned Wing Drone Delivery. We spoke with Ferguson at the recent FSTEC conference and were able to watch a demonstration of the delivery service. Ferguson talks about everything that goes into bringing drone delivery to a market, what types of deliveries drones are best equipped to handle, and where the service fits in a delivery-heavy future.This is a fascinating discussion about a growing technology so please check it out. 

What has happened with Del Taco since its acquisition?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Anil Yadav and Noah Chillingworth.Yadav is a longtime franchisee who has gotten into the business of buying brands lately and he acquired Del Taco from Jack in the Box last year. He also participated in the Denny’s acquisition. Chillingworth is the chain’s chief marketing officer. Yadav brought him on board as part of a group of the brand’s former executives who were brought back to turn the chain around.They talk about the changes they’ve made with Del Taco and why the brand struggled under Jack in the Box’s ownership. We talk about the company’s plans for expansion and franchising and a recent opening of an especially strong location. We also ask Yadav about his experience buying brands and what makes it work. We’re talking Del Taco on A Deeper Dive so please check it out. 

Who is winning in the restaurant business right now?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Rich Shank, senior principal with Technomic.We had Shank on the podcast to help us understand the performance of independent restaurants and why they can generate sales growth while locations continue closing. We talk about a lot of other topics on the podcast, too, including the state of the pizza business and why restaurants should not sell their soul for the hot new thing. We also discuss why chain restaurants may be falling out of favor with consumers.We’re talking independent restaurants on the podcast so please check it out.