Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

New York

Managing Editor at Restaurant Hospitality

Managing Editor at Supermarket News

Managing Editor at Nation's Restaurant News

Managing editor @NRNonline, @RH_restaurant, @SN_news, @foodmanagement. Proud @ASU alumna. she/her

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Articles

2025 Top 500: Restaurant chains ranked No. 100 – No. 51

2 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Every year, Nation’s Restaurant News provides analysis of Technomic’s annual Top 500 restaurant chains report, which ranks companies by U.S. systemwide sales. 2024 was a tough year for restaurants, with the lowest sales growth since 2020 and the three biggest chains falling short of their typical growth trends. Among the 50 chains ranked No. 100 through No. 51, things were a little brighter, with only 15 chains losing sales and 14 closing net units.
The 50 biggest restaurant chains in America

2 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

It was a tough year for the industry, but there were big wins for Dutch Bros, Raising Cane’s, and moreEvery year, Nation’s Restaurant News provides analysis of Technomic’s annual Top 500 restaurant chains report, which ranks companies by U.S. systemwide sales. 2024 was a tough year for restaurants, with the lowest sales growth since 2020 and the three biggest chains falling short of their typical growth trends.
The biggest restaurant chains in America

2 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

The Technomic Top 500 saw its worst showing since 2020This year’s Technomic Top 500, which covers 2024 performance, shows just how badly the volatile economy and stubborn inflation rates are affecting the U.S. consumer. Sales across the Top 500 chains grew by just 3.1%, the worst showing in the past 10 years aside from 2020 and a full percentage point short of the 4.1% inflation rate. In the last five years, according to Technomic, the average annual increase in sales is 5.6%.
Restaurant Insights recent news

2 weeks ago | nrn.com | Joanna Fantozzi |Alicia Kelso |Leigh Anne Zinsmeister |Scott Greenberg

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Starbucks China, restaurant tech merger, Texas Roadhouse CFO

2 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Starbucks has reduced prices on 20 beverage items in China, its second-largest market. The coffee giant lowered costs for Frappuccinos, iced shaken teas, and tea latte beverages by between 2-6 yuan, equivalent to between 28 and 84 cents in US currency. Starbucks says the price cuts aim to boost afternoon sales, not to counter competition from Luckin Coffee, which overtook them in China last year.
Chipotle, Chick-fil-A menus, new eatertainment, White Castle marketing

2 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Chipotle is launching its first dip in five years. The Adobo Ranch is available starting June 17 for 75 cents. Chipotle typically launches two limited time offers a year, one in the spring and one in the fall, but it is adding a third this year to drive incremental sales and consumer engagement. Chick-fil-A also has menu news, testing two new sandwiches for a limited time while supplies last.
Din Tai Fung, Burger King China, BJ’s new CEO

2 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Get all the headlines in today’s Restaurant Daily podcastThe chain with the industry’s highest AUVs might surprise you. It’s not a fine-dining place, a steakhouse or The Cheesecake Factory. It is Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese soup dumpling specialist with 16 U.S. locations. And the competition is not even close. Din Tai Fung generated AUVs of $27.4 million last year, nearly double that of the next closest chain, Mastro’s Steakhouse. Can Burger King figure out China?
Hooters’ closures, Starbucks, Cracker Barrel/tariffs

3 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Hooters abruptly closed another 30 or so restaurants on Wednesday. These closures come about two months after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and about a year after it closed dozens of additional locations. In a statement, Hooters said it is here to stay and is “well positioned” to continue supporting the brand under a pure franchise business model. Starbucks is shuffling its organization again.
4 seafood dishes to dive into for inspiration this summer

3 weeks ago | foodservicedirector.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Plus a bonus 2 plant-based options, all from FSD's first annual Healthcare Recipe Contest. And don't miss the colorful collab of rainbow trout x rainbow Swiss chard. When going through entries for Foodservice Director’s recent Healthcare Recipe Contest, one thing stood out to us: Seafood is big right now. Of course, seafood was one of the categories for which we solicited entries. But seafood dishes were also submitted in categories including global flavors, regional favorites, and plant-based.
18 restaurant executives on the move in May, including new CEOs at Twin Peaks and Wagamama

3 weeks ago | nrn.com | Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

The restaurant industry saw a slowdown in executive changes last month, perhaps as brands prepare for summer. This month’s appointments do, however, reveal several trends: the movement of seasoned industry veterans with cross-brand experience, internal promotions recognizing long-term loyalty, and a strong focus on operational excellence. Many of the newly appointed executives bring diverse experience across multiple restaurant concepts.