This week on Nation’s Restaurant News, the most popular item was the latest episode of Extra Serving, on which editors discussed Texas Roadhouse’s record-breaking traffic, Starbucks’ olive oil drink, and subscription programs at restaurants. Plus, Smashburger president Carl Bachmann joined for a conversation.
Also this week, KFC announced it was bringing back its iconic Double Down menu item, which last appeared on U.S. menus in 2014 and has sparked both curiosity and pushback. You didn’t think the brand was going to completely abandon its over-the-top disposition in favor of products like wraps, did you?
Elsewhere across the industry, the National Restaurant Association forecast that foodservice sales will near $1 trillion in 2023, Noodles & Company offered free noodles to any restaurant worker on March 2, and Corner Bakery Café declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
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