In this episode of BDO To-Go, Gregg Thomas, Co-Lead of BDO’s National Restaurant Practice, sits down with Mary Jo Larson, Vice President and Publisher of Franchise Times, to discuss the key trends shaping the restaurant and franchising industries ahead of the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference (RFDC). In her role, Mary Jo oversees both Franchise Times magazine and the Restaurant Finance Monitor and leads sales and planning for RFDC. Their conversation explores the evolving definition of value for consumers, the rise of multi-unit and multi-brand operators, challenges in the lending environment, innovative restaurant formats, and the increasing presence of international brands in the U.S. market. Mary Jo shares her expert perspective on how operators are responding to economic pressures and changing consumer preferences, providing listeners with timely insights into the future of the industry.