Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast · June 2, 2025 · 28 min

CosMc’s is kaput, Red Robin shows signs of life, and the summer of value is here

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss McDonald’s announcement that it would shutter its CosMc’s locations after barely a year and a half in business. Is CosMc’s a massive failure for the company, or did McDonald’s get everything it needed out of its sister concept? Sam and Alicia debate. Then they discuss Red Robin’s surprising first-quarter results, which saw the casual-dining burger chain’s sales grow by 3.1%. What does this say about the broader casual category — and what the consumer might want from it? Finally, they talk about value deals across the restaurant industry and how chains are increasingly leaning into value propositions to drive traffic. But here’s the kicker, as Sam and Alicia discuss: It doesn’t seem like value is so much about a price point as it is a comprehensive experience.    For more on these stories:   McDonald’s will shutter its CosMc’s concept Red Robin’s Q1 results illustrate a comeback plan coming to fruition Eatertainment brands launch summer promotions