Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast · April 13, 2026 · 44 min

Chick-fil-A’s crazy sales, Chili’s big milestone, and Taco Bell’s new flavor enhancer

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Chick-fil-A’s wild 2025 sales figures, Chili’s position on the casual-dining leaderboard, and Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Diablo Dust. First up is Chick-fil-A, which released its latest Franchise Disclosure Document detailing 5.2% sales growth in 2025. Sam and Alicia discuss that figure and how — despite growth being slower than the previous year — it’s still a massive win for the chicken chain, which enjoys AUVs similar to casual and fine-dining chains. They then pivot to the extra serving portion of the episode, where managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister joins to discuss developments from several regional restaurant chains, including Huey Magoo’s, Bonrue Bakery, and Tijuana Flats. Next Sam and Alicia discuss Chili’s 2025 performance, which, according to Technomic Ignite data, propelled the chain to the No. 2 position among casual-dining chains, surpassing Olive Garden. While it may not seem like a big deal, Sam and Alicia explore the significance of the move and how the full-service side of the industry seems to be dividing into the haves and have nots. Finally, they tackle Taco Bell’s new roll out of its Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Diablo Dust, a menu item that follows a restaurant industry trend leveraging spices and seasonings as a flavor enhancer. Alicia — who tried the new nuggets at Taco Bell’s Live Mas Live event in Hollywood — explains why this is a natural progression from the trend in sauces. For more on these stories: Chick-fil-A’s unit volumes hit a ceiling Chili’s is now the second-largest U.S. casual-dining chain Taco Bell heats up its Crispy Chicken Nuggets with a layer of Diablo Dust