{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders","title":"Michael Halen, Senior Restaurant Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence – I'll Take It To Go: How the restaurant industry is reshaping itself in an uncertain world","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1729,"description":"Summary: \n \nIt's early in the 2025 reporting season, but new trends in the restaurant and foodservice space are already emerging. 2024 was a difficult year and the industry is still adjusting—navigating the same pressures of inflation, labor costs, and economic shifts, plus some new challenges. Consumer habits continue to evolve, and technology is playing a bigger role than ever. \n \nToday we're joined by Michael Halen, the Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. At Bloomberg, Michael publishes company-specific and industry-focused research on everything from how new government policies will impact business to the shifting demographics that affect consumer behavior. Michael makes frequent appearances as a TV and radio guest and is the host of Bloomberg Intelligence’s restaurant-focused podcast titled Choppin’ It Up. \n \nIn this episode, Michael breaks down the biggest takeaways and predictions for 2025. As we enter the new year, what’s setting the winners apart? Which trends have staying power, and what can last year’s challenges tell us about the road ahead? And most importantly, what should restaurant leaders be looking out for to stay ahead of the curve? \n \nHighlights:\nMichael's path to his role at Bloomberg (3:08)\nThe winners and losers from the last few years (6:01)\nRegional differences in consumer behavior (7:53)\nImpacts of inflation on the restaurant industry (9:22)\nThe role of strategic pricing (11:41)\nThe role of AI and automation (16:12)\nMake America Healthy Again (18:30)\nRecent trends and what they say about the future (23:48)\n \nLinks:\nMichael Halen on LinkedIn\nBloomberg Intelligence LinkedIn\nBloomberg Intelligence Website\nPodcast: Choppin' it Up by Bloomberg Intelligence\nICR on LinkedIn \nICR on X\nICR Website\n \nFeedback:\nIf you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/VPbFZOgoHk78hrWlplrfMSrQROUNxI8jcZ2Gv-hyKm4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYmFh/NWFlNGJjY2Y0NGFk/YmM2NWJiMTI4NmVh/OWQ4Yi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}