On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss Hooters’ bankruptcy filing and the fact that it would be entirely franchised moving into the future — with leadership from the original founders. What can Hooters due to become relevant to the U.S. customer again? Then they discuss Yum Brands’ announcement that CEO David Gibbs would retire in 2026, opening up a coveted position at the largest restaurant company in the world. That leads into a conversation about the tariffs that President Trump has put in place on global trade partners, which will undoubtedly have an effect on restaurant companies. And in this week’s extra serving, senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn joins to talk about Technomic’s updated Ignite data, which reveals performance among the biggest chains in America in 2024. Finally, we share an excerpt of an interview between Bret and three powerhouse leaders at Shake Shack — CFO Katie Fogertey, COO Stephanie Sentell, and chief growth officer Steph So — as a preview to this year’s Power List, which has the theme Women in Foodservice.

 

For more on these stories:  

Hooters files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs will retire in early 2026

The restaurant industry responds to President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs