Wendy’s new CEO, Starbucks AI walk-back, and CAVA’s big quarter
Plus, movie promotions and an international brand that’s exiting the U.S.
June 1, 2026
On this week’s Extra Serving, NRN editor in chief Sam Oches and executive editor Alicia Kelso discuss the latest restaurant industry news, including Wendy’s hiring a new CEO, Starbucks ditching an AI tool, and CAVA cruising in the first quarter. First up is Wendy’s, which announced that it was hiring former Potbelly CEO Bob Wright as its next CEO. Wright had three previous stints as an executive at Wendy’s, and Sam and Alicia discuss how this move could be the missing ingredient to Wendy’s badly needed turnaround. Next they tackle Starbucks, which is ditching an AI inventory tool it had introduced just nine months ago after experiencing accuracy issues. In a world where AI seems to be taking over all aspects of our lives, it’s noteworthy that Starbucks joins McDonald’s, Yum Brands, and others in pausing investments in AI. Sam and Alicia break down the news and what it could mean about AI in restaurants going forward. They then discuss CAVA and its most recent quarter, in which the fast-casual Mediterranean chain reported 9.7% same-store sales growth. How does the brand continue to defy odds and build momentum? Finally, in the Quick Fire portion of the episode, Sam and Alicia discuss recent headlines about movie promotions and an international brand that’s exiting the U.S.
For more on these stories:
Bob Wright returns to Wendy’s as its CEO
Starbucks is ending its use of AI to count inventory
CAVA raises guidance after a strong 1Q
About the Authors
Alicia Kelso
Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News
Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com, and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America, and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.
Follow her on TikTok @aliciakelso
Sam Oches
Editor in Chief
Sam Oches is an award-winning Editorial Director with Informa Connect Foodservice and editor in chief of Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. A graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Sam previously served as Editorial Director of Food News Media, publisher of QSR and FSR magazines. He’s a past president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) and a past board member with the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). His foodservice insights have been shared in national media outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, and CNBC. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and three kids.
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