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 companies like Yum Brands, Brinker, McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Wendy’s. They start with the bad: Many chains, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Starbucks, experienced negative sales and traffic as consumers tightened their belts in a shaky economy. In particular, McDonald’s reported that it was losing not just low-income consumers, but also middle-income consumers as well. Sam and Alicia talk about this fact and why it could be a major warning sign to the entire industry. Then they talk about the good: Chili’s continued to crush (31.6% comp sales growth) while Taco Bell similarly had smooth sailing with 9% sales growth. How do these companies continue to flourish while so many others suffer? Sam and Alicia debate. Finally, managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister joins for this week’s extra serving to talk about Culver’s hiring of new CEO Julie Fussner and how restaurants can develop a stronger talent pipeline with more female representation. 

For more on these stories:  

McDonald’s experiences its largest sales decline since the pandemic

Wendy’s executives see consumer pressure persisting through year

Chili’s continues to streamline operations as volumes increase

Taco Bell is on a roll with a 9% same-store sales increase in Q1