FSR August 2022

FSR 50

5 Chili’s posted incremen average weekly sales in February and March hitting four-year highs. To combat rising prices, the brand is continuing its tech-forward ini tiatives while also reengineering the menu to be more cost-effec tive and operations more stream lined. The ongoing rollout of the Team Service Evolution model is putting more tablets into servers’ hands while Rita the Robot—an AI that can serve, buss, host, and sing—continues its beta tests. At the top ranks of parent company Brinker, Wyman Roberts retired in June after nearly a decade as CEO. Former KFC president and chief EQPEGRV QHƂEGT -GXKP *QEJOCP assumed the role. CHILI’S VCN KORTQXGOGPVU KP KVU ƂUECN year ending June 2021, and that progress has continued into this calendar year, with

3 .CUV [GCT DTQWIJV C OKZ QH GZVTGOGU HQT 6GZCU 4QCFJQWUG 1P the positive side, the company grew sales by more than a billion dollars and added 30-plus new locations to its system. But it also lost founder Kent Taylor, whose business vision and quirky per sonality had guided the brand for nearly three decades. Jerry Morgan, who had been named president a few months prior to Taylor’s passing, stepped into the CEO role immediately. Under his and other long-time leaders’ direction, Texas Roadhouse has continued to post positive results, despite having to raise prices NCUV HCNN COKF OQWPVKPI KPƃCVKQPCT[ RTGUUWTGU 4CVJGT VJCP EWV corners through tactics like shrinking portion sizes or sourcing lower quality ingredients, Morgan says the brand will remain steadfast in its mission to “provide unmatched value to our guest.” IHOP TEXAS ROADHOUSE 6':#5 41#&*175'

CHILI’S SANTA FE BURGER

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4 Dine Brands’ breakfast chain regained lost ground last year with sales approaching though not quite reaching pre-COVID levels. Neverthe NGUU +*12 KU HCT HTQO FGVGTTGF .KMG UKUVGT DTCPF #RRNGDGGoU KVoU RWT UWKPI PGY QRRQTVWPKVKGU QP OWNVKRNG HTQPVU KPENWFKPI KVU ƂTUV NQ[CNV[ RTQITCO +PVGTPCVKQPCN $CPM QH 2CPECMGU C UNGY QH .61U CPF VJG NQPI awaited debut of its fast casual, Flip’d. But perhaps the most promis ing development is its maiden foray into the world of virtual brands. Thrilled Cheese and Super Mega Dilla, specializing in sandwiches and quesadillas, respectively, launched in spring and are soon expected to be in more than half the brand’s U.S. locations.

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AUGUST 2022