Cracker Barrel said Julie Masino will step down as CEO on August 10, 2026, after a turbulent stretch marked by declining traffic, an activist investor fight, and fallout from the chain’s logo controversy. The company has named former Bloomin’ Brands chief David Deno as her successor. Continue Reading
A recent comparison of everyday grocery staples found Walmart repeatedly priced key items below Kroger and Amazon. The findings land as traditional grocers face renewed pressure to cut prices and hold onto budget-focused shoppers. Continue Reading
Culver’s has confirmed its broadest menu push in years, with four new Pub Burgers, fall pumpkin desserts, two new Flavors of the Day and upgraded loyalty features planned for 2026. The rollout is set to reach the chain’s more than 1,000 restaurants in 26 states over the course of the year. Continue Reading
A new federal data point is renewing a familiar inflation argument: whether rising prices are being driven more by wages or by profits. The figure, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in June, showed labor’s share of output at a record low even as price and profit measures continued to climb. Continue Reading
As grocery chains expand rewards apps and personalized discounts, Trader Joe’s continues to reject that model. The company has said its focus stays on broad access to prices, private-label products and in-store service instead of member-only deals. Continue Reading
Three national restaurant chains are reducing their California footprints through targeted closures and systemwide retrenchment. Public filings, earnings releases and local reports show Five Guys, Jack in the Box and Denny’s are all shrinking in the state, though each company’s full California list is still incomplete. Continue Reading
The USDA’s latest $40 million school food push is split between nearly $20 million in Farm to School grants already awarded and another $20 million now open for school kitchen equipment upgrades. The funding is aimed at getting more local food into cafeterias while helping schools modernize how meals are prepared. Continue Reading
Aldi’s lowest-price advantage is tied less to weekly ads than to how the chain runs its stores every day. Company materials show the model depends on private-label products, smaller stores, self-bagging, and other operating choices designed to keep prices down. Continue Reading
Overall inflation has eased, but many shoppers still feel squeezed in the grocery aisle. These seven staples remain stubbornly expensive because supply shocks, disease, weather, and commodity pressures are hitting them differently than the broader economy. Continue Reading
A wave of debt-driven restructurings swept through food companies in 2026, from FAT Brands and its restaurant portfolio to smaller franchise operators. Court filings and company statements show how heavy borrowing, softer spending, and rising costs converged across the sector. Continue Reading