Labor costs, food costs, scheduling, and the P&L mechanics of independent and small-group restaurants.
As chains like Starbucks and Wingstop face margin pressure, interchange fees averaging 2–3% of every card transaction are cutting deeper into already thin restaurant profits.
Dan Lynn's exit from Inspire Brands highlights a structural question franchisors rarely discuss openly: how much field-level continuity depends on one executive's relationships.
Independent restaurants pushing direct ordering channels need more than a link in their bio — the guest-facing experience has to compete with third-party apps on ease and follow-through.
