Tilman Fertitta, Del Taco, Clover Food Lab
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May 29, 2026
Tilman Fertitta is about to expand his hospitality empire in a big way. Fertitta Entertainment has a deal to acquire Caesars Entertainment for $17.6 billion, including $11.9 billion in debt. It would create a sprawling network of casinos, hotels and restaurants across the U.S., including Caesars’ more than 50 resorts and casinos and Fertitta’s large group of restaurants, such as Del Frisco’s and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Del Taco is bringing back the $1 menu, sort of. The Mexican fast-food chain said that it has a new value menu, including 10 items starting at $1. That includes the $1 Value Bean and Cheese Burrito with red or green sauce. Customers can get a selection of snack tacos, nachos, rollers, churros and a bean and cheese cup for $1 or more. It comes as chains increasingly push low prices in a bid to get customers dining out more often.
Clover Food Lab is shutting down. The Massachusetts-based chain closed its remaining 11 locations this week. The company told customers in a message that it did so largely because of soaring costs. Ingredient costs have increased 30% to 50% over the past two years and it couldn’t raise prices enough to cover it. The plant-based concept declared bankruptcy in 2023 but emerged a year later vowing to expand to 60 locations in New England in five years. It’s the latest setback for plant-based chains, as concepts like Hart House, Planta and Veggie Grill either shut down, file for bankruptcy or close large numbers of locations.
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About the Author
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister
Managing Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservices Vertical, specifically Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality, and Foodservice Director. Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Top 500 report and Restaurant Hospitality’s Best Cocktails and Best Sandwiches contests. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team, and was the managing editor for Supermarket News until December 2024.
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, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)
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, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)
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)
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