Callie Evergreen

1 week ago | fsrmagazine.com | Callie Evergreen

James O’Reilly wants people to know that Huddle House is, and will always be, a magnet in communities where there’s great food, great service, and a place to gather and “Bring It In”—the casual-dining chain’s new tagline meant to draw from its heritage as a post-football game restaurant for families to “huddle” and come together.

1 week ago | fsrmagazine.com | Callie Evergreen

Full-service restaurants continue to face headwinds, with numerous bankruptcies and declines in traffic. The U.S. Census Bureau’s retail sales report showed declines in the restaurant category in 2024, with sales consistently down month over month toward the end of the year. The number of consumers dining out has also decreased, which means restaurant brands are competing for a smaller customer base.

1 week ago | fsrmagazine.com | Callie Evergreen

Every restaurant leader knows data matters, but let’s be real—staring at endless reports and dashboards can quickly turn strategic insight into overwhelming clutter. During my early career, my approach was far simpler: “Show me the heartbeat of the restaurant, and I’ll show you how we can succeed.” While few would argue against the value of knowing your restaurant intimately, I quickly discovered the limits of that approach.

1 week ago | fsrmagazine.com | Callie Evergreen

The identity of a restaurant is what makes your customers keep coming back. It’s what gives the neighborhood diner the comfort of home and the pub the best place to be on a Friday night. It’s the heart and soul of your restaurant—something you work hard to cultivate. And when that hard work is rewarded with the chance to expand, the question becomes: How do you scale without losing what made you special? Growth doesn’t have to mean diluting your identity.

2 weeks ago | fsrmagazine.com | Callie Evergreen

The votes are in, and it’s unanimous—Chili’s is the official comeback kid of the year (and last year). Just three years ago, it was a brand seemingly caught in the quicksand of nostalgia—fondly remembered, but not top of mind for modern consumers thinking about where to spend their dining dollars. Fast forward to today, and Chili’s is not only back in the national conversation—it’s dominating it.