<p>In this episode, Ray breaks down why restaurants feel &quot;slower&quot; and the data backing it up. He also shares how caring for your staff and avoiding turnover is a crucial financial decision. He then gives updates on some QSR/Fast-Casual restaurants, shares with creators how to help those with limited food options, and discusses a looming protein powder shortage. </p><p><br></p><p>Links: </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/restaurantowners/comments/1t40o7r/slow_restaurant_traffic_lately_is_this_normal/" target="_new" rel="noopener">Slow Restaurant Discussion (Reddit)</a></p><p><a href="https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/media/press-releases/the-hiring-and-staffing-dividend-how-people-power-restaurant-profitability/" target="_new" rel="noopener">National Restaurant Association Employee Retention Data</a></p><p><a href="https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/restaurant-economic-insights/restaurant-performance-index/" target="_new" rel="noopener">Restaurant Performance Index</a></p><p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-07/shake-shack-sinks-after-revenue-miss-on-beef-costs-bad-weather?srnd=phx-industries-consumer" target="_new" rel="noopener">Shake Shack Sinks</a></p><p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-07/texas-roadhouse-sales-hold-as-diners-pick-cheaper-beef-cuts?srnd=phx-industries-consumer" target="_new" rel="noopener">Texas Roadhouse Improves</a></p><p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-07/sweetgreen-posts-larger-than-expected-quarterly-sales-decline?srnd=phx-industries-consumer" target="_new" rel="noopener">Sweetgreen Declines</a></p><p><a href="https://civileats.com/2026/04/24/recession-meals-destigmatize-home-cooking-on-a-budget/" target="_new" rel="noopener">“Recession Meals” Content</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fooddive.com/news/protein-powder-shortage-whey-prices/819625/" target="_new" rel="noopener">Protein Powder Shortage</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.joinrepertoire.com/newsletter">Repertoire Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> – Get industry insights, links, and podcast extras delivered weekly.🎙 <a href="https://geni.us/repertoirepodcast">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> – Pass it on to your team, group chat, or fellow chefs.📸 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joinrepertoire__">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> – Behind the scenes, quotes, and quick takes.</p><p><strong>Affiliate Disclosure:</strong>We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through Amazon or other affiliate links provided in this episode.</p><p><strong>Thanks for listening to Repertoire.</strong> 👨‍🍳🎧</p>