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Choppin’ It Up by Bloomberg Intelligence

Choppin’ It Up by Bloomberg Intelligence

By: Bloomberg
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About this listen

“Choppin’ It Up” by Bloomberg Intelligence features conversations with analysts, executives and entrepreneurs that are shaping the future of the restaurant industry. Topics include human capital, ghost kitchens, menu pricing, the FAST Act and everything in between. The podcast is hosted by Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst Michael Halen.

2025 Bloomberg
Art Cooking Economics Food & Wine Personal Finance
Episodes
  • A Plan for Cracker Barrel’s Path to Recovery
    Sep 15 2025

    The great brands open up the throttle at their busiest times, Fred LeFranc, Results Thru Strategy founder, managing partner and chaos strategist, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, LeFranc sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the logo controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel and how the company can return to same-store sales and profit growth. The two discuss remodels, nostalgia, branding and the company’s upcoming earnings report.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    47 mins
  • Buffets, Bambi and Big Plans at Rave’s Pizza Inn
    Sep 2 2025

    Pizza Inn is a massive sleeping giant with latent equity, Rave Restaurant Group CEO Brandon Solano tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Solano sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why the chain’s buffet format is its biggest growth opportunity while weighing in on fast-casual pizza weakness, the rise of “Build-Your-Own Chipotle,” and Pizza Inn’s “Bambi & Friends” pie.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    32 mins
  • SPB Hospitality’s Kern on M&A, Refranchising
    Aug 14 2025

    US restaurant spending has been resilient, and guests are looking for a better sit-down experience, SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Kern sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company’s brands, including J. Alexander’s and Krystal, are performing this year. He also comments on M&A and refranchising opportunities as well as dirty sodas and the impact of GLP-1s.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    36 mins
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