Extra Serving: A restaurant industry podcast · April 20, 2026 · 40 min

New AI developments, McDonald's big beverage upgrade, and Red Lobster's return to endless shrimp

On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso sit down at the Restaurant Leadership Conference to discuss the latest restaurant news, including Starbucks and Little Caesars partnering with ChatGPT, McDonald's upgrading its beverage menu, and Red Lobster bringing back Endless Shrimp. First up is the news of Starbucks and Little Caesars partnering with ChatGPT, which they each plan to use to enhance customers' ordering capabilities. Sam and Alicia discuss whether consumers are wanting this level of AI involvement, and what this suggests about the future of restaurant AI. Next up is McDonald's new beverage menu, which includes Refreshers and crafted sodas, including dirty sodas. How might this impact the broader beverage trend in restaurants? Sam and Alicia break it down. Next is Red Lobster, which announced that it is bringing back its Endless Shrimp promotion. Does that make sense for a company that filed for bankruptcy largely because of that promotion? Sam and Alicia discuss. Then they cover breaking news that Jersey Mike's announced plans to go public. How significant could its IPO be? Finally, we share a conversation between senior food and beverage editor Bret Thorn and Noodles & Co. head chef Tina Massey. For more on these stories: https://www.nrn.com/restaurant-finance/jersey-mike-s-files-confidential-ipo-documents https://www.nrn.com/beverage-trends/mcdonald-s-is-coming-out-with-refreshers-and-crafted-sodas-next-month https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/little-caesars-has-launched-an-app-in-chatgpt-to-help-with-orders https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/red-lobsters-comeback-has-yet-materialize