Texas Roadhouse, Chick-fil-A, James Beard Awards
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July 16, 2026
Texas Roadhouse is testing delivery in a few restaurants, via a white-label partnership with DoorDash. The chain has long resisted delivery due to concerns about its impact on food quality, and sales have been so strong that it hasn’t really needed it. But if it works, it could be a source of incremental sales down the line.
Chick-fil-A is modernizing more than 200 playgrounds within its domestic system by the end of this year. They will now feature multisensory designs and interactive games, and are part of the chain’s broader objective of creating a place of connection for families and the community. Some operators, for example, provide free Icedream to families who leave their phones in a designated box during mealtimes, or host events like sneaker decorating competitions. The company has also launched a new collection of kids’ meals toys, including 3D playsets and activity books.
Will the James Beard Awards ceremony be leaving Chicago? The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday launched a national search for the next site for the multi-day event, often called the Oscars of the food world. The ceremony, which celebrates independent chefs and restaurateurs, has only been held in New York and Chicago since it began in 1991. It has been held at Chicago’s Lyric Opera for 11 years, and it will remain there for the next two. But for 2029 through 2033, cities are invited to make a bid for the event, including Chicago. The Beard Awards have become quite an economic generator. This year’s ceremony in mid-June was estimated to generate about $17 million for the local economy.
Get all the headlines in today’s Restaurant Daily podcast.
About the Authors
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister
Managing Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservice Media, with brands including Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, and Foodservice Director. Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Technomic Top 500 report. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team.
Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history.
Email Leigh Anne at [email protected]
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience:
Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
Lisa Jennings
Executive Editor, Restaurant Business
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.
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