On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Wendy’s hiring a new CEO, Starbucks ditching an AI tool, and CAVA cruising in the first quarter. First up is Wendy’s, which announced that it was hiring former Potbelly CEO Bob Wright as its next CEO. Wright had three previous stints as an executive at Wendy’s, and Sam and Alicia discuss how this move could be the missing ingredient to Wendy’s badly needed turnaround. Next they tackle Starbucks, which is ditching an AI inventory tool it had introduced just nine months ago after experiencing accuracy issues. In a world where AI seems to be taking over all aspects of our lives, it’s noteworthy that Starbucks joins McDonald’s, Yum Brands, and others in pausing investments in AI. Sam and Alicia break down the news and what it could mean about AI in restaurants going forward. They then discuss CAVA and its most recent quarter, in which the fast-casual Mediterranean chain reported 9.7% same-store sales growth. How does the brand continue to defy odds and build momentum? Finally, in the Quick Fire portion of the episode, Sam and Alicia discuss recent headlines about movie promotions and an international brand that’s exiting the U.S.

For more on these stories:

Bob Wright returns to Wendy’s as its CEO

Starbucks is ending its use of AI to count inventory

CAVA raises guidance after a strong 1Q

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