Restaurant sales are slowly improving, led by casual dining, but cost pressures and CEO turnover pose challenges. Starbucks’ China strategy highlights the need for local control, while Mac Brand’s insights reinforce that attracting top talent and strong culture remain the true keys to long-term success in this people-driven industry.

In hospitality, where every moment hinges on human connection, emotional intelligence (EQ) has become the defining trait of exceptional leadership.

In 2025, private equity-backed restaurant brands are transforming compensation from a simple recruiting tool into a powerful engine for growth and exit success. With tighter timelines, aggressive expansion goals, and talent scarcity, aligning pay with performance has never been more critical. This piece explores how leading portcos are rethinking C-suite and VP compensation to drive value creation, retention, and long-term investor returns.

In a fast-moving industry like restaurants, too many leaders put off one critical task: succession planning. Nearly 60% of companies expect to replace a C-suite leader soon, yet 39% have no internal successors identified. Building a strong leadership bench today isn’t optional—it’s essential for staying competitive tomorrow.