Types of Restaurant Ordering Technology
Explore the main types of ordering technology restaurants use to improve accuracy, speed, payments, customer convenience, and operational efficiency daily.
Aug 17, 2026
Explore the main types of ordering technology restaurants use to improve accuracy, speed, payments, customer convenience, and operational efficiency daily.
Aug 17, 2026
Learn the eight essential steps of the restaurant payroll process, from tracking hours and calculating wages to payments and recordkeeping.
Aug 17, 2026
Panera Bread welcomes Andrew Rebhun as its new CMO to spearhead strategic brand growth and transformation, bolstering its vision for 2028.
Aug 17, 2026
Discover how restaurant SMS marketing works, from building subscriber lists and creating campaigns to improving engagement and measuring marketing performance.
Aug 14, 2026
The transition of Pizza Hut's CEO, Aaron Powell, marks a pivotal moment for the chain and offers valuable leadership lessons for restaurant owners. Here’s what this executive change could mean for your business.
Aug 17, 2026
Learn how to manage cash flow in your restaurant by tracking finances, controlling costs, forecasting needs, and building cash reserves.
Aug 14, 2026
Increase online orders by simplifying checkout, optimizing menus, improving Google visibility, promoting ordering channels, and encouraging customers to order again.
Aug 12, 2026
Streamline restaurant back office operations by standardizing workflows, automating repetitive tasks, integrating systems, centralizing data, and improving accountability and efficiency.
Aug 12, 2026
McDonald’s USA has appointed Patrick Gerber as chief restaurant officer, leveraging his decades of global experience to boost operations, food quality, and customer satisfaction in the U.S. market.
Aug 11, 2026
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers promotes Rick Petralia to Executive Chef & VP of Training & Innovation, signaling a strategic focus on culinary excellence and franchisee support.
Aug 12, 2026
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Explore the journey of Bar Louie, a restaurant franchise, facing bankruptcy, operational hurdles, and the impact of menu prices on consumer behavior.


Bar Louie's journey from 71 outlets in 2021 to 66 outlets by the end of 2023 reflects a challenging period for the franchise. With only 48 outlets listed on its website, the brand faced a decline in its presence. To boost growth, Bar Louie offered a $25,000 discount on franchising fees in 2023, emphasizing a push towards attracting new franchisees. Despite these efforts, the franchise's Chapter 11 filing marked its second bankruptcy in six years, highlighting the gravity of its financial challenges.
In January 2020, Bar Louie closed 38 unprofitable stores due to diminishing customer traffic, especially in locations within malls and shopping centers. The non-hotel franchised restaurants had been experiencing declining sales even before 2020. The impact of inflation further compounded the situation, leading to increased consumer price sensitivity. Bar Louie's struggles were exacerbated by menu price adjustments in response to inflation, affecting consumer behavior and overall profitability.
In a bid to revive its fortunes, Bar Louie implemented various strategies, including price changes, data-driven promotions, and cost-saving measures. Despite these efforts, the restaurant-level EBITDA continued to deteriorate, indicating ongoing challenges. The chain's attempts to restructure and market itself before filing for bankruptcy were unsuccessful, pointing to the complexities of the competitive restaurant industry and the evolving consumer landscape.
Facing mounting financial and operational pressures, Bar Louie encountered obstacles in its recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chain's inability to address underperforming locations and adapt to changing consumer demands underscored the need for strategic decision-making and agility in the restaurant business. As Bar Louie navigates through its restructuring process, its agreement with creditors to sustain operations in 31 corporate units signals a potential path forward amidst the challenges.