Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast · March 24, 2025 · 38 min

Yum’s big AI innovation, red flags with consumer sentiment, and Darden’s reason for optimism

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso start by talking about Alicia’s recent trip to Atlanta, where she visited Zaxby’s headquarters and learned about how the fast-casual chain is preparing for a big growth push; stay tuned for Alicia’s story in the coming weeks. Then they discuss Yum’s partnership with Nvidia, which will fuel the restaurant company’s push into artificial intelligence. They also talk about plummeting consumer sentiment and what it could mean for restaurant chains in 2025. And in this week’s extra serving, managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister joins to talk about Darden’s most recent earnings report, where the full-service giant is expressing optimism even as most casual-dining chains struggle.   For more on these stories:   Yum Brands partners with Nvidia to accelerate AI technologies across its global system Darden tests Uber Direct delivery at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen More consumers are trimming their restaurant budgets than they were last year