Chipotle swings positive, Starbucks wows, and Wingstop lays an egg

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including the latest earnings results from Chipotle, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Domino’s, Chili’s, and Wingstop. First up is Chipotle, which earned positive same-store sales (albeit ever so slightly) after a negative 2025. Even more noteworthy: a quarter of all transactions included a protein add-on.

Sam and Alicia discuss the results and why Chipotle should be bullish on the rest of the year. Next up is Starbucks, which impressed with 7.1% same-store sales growth in the latest quarter.

CEO Brian Niccol declared that the company was putting the “turn” in “turnaround,” as the results are the culmination of nearly two years’ worth of changes that the coffee giant has made to get back to growth. Sam and Alicia dive into the results and how they set Starbucks up in the ever-crowded beverage category. They then speed through several other companies’ results — including Chili’s, Taco Bell, KFC, and Domino’s — before jumping into a conversation on Wingstop, which disappointed with an 8.

7% same-store sales decline. The company blamed the results on inclement weather events and a cautious consumer, but if that’s the case, why are other chains turning out positive results? Sam and Alicia attempt to answer the question.

Finally, in the Quick Fire portion of the episode, they tackle Papa Johns’ new AI assistant, Subway’s first-ever value menu, and Sweetgreen’s familiar “Faces of the Farm” campaign.