Restaurant Business Wins 9 Azbee Awards, Secures 6 Gold

Restaurant Business has won nine Upper Midwest Regional Azbee Awards, including six Gold honors, from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), recognising excellence in business-to-business journalism across the restaurant and foodservice sector.

The awards were announced on April 17 and highlight editorial work spanning industry analysis, executive profiling, technology reporting and menu trends. The regional Azbee Awards serve as a precursor to the national-level competition, scheduled to take place on May 14.

Six Gold Awards Across Editorial Categories

The publication secured six Gold awards across multiple categories, with recognition distributed among senior editorial staff for coverage of key industry topics.

Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski accounted for three Gold awards. His work included a business profile on the Toast brand, an enterprise report examining mergers and acquisitions in restaurant technology, and contributions through the publication’s recurring Tech Check column.

Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze received two Gold awards. These were awarded for a leadership profile of Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, and for analytical coverage of Red Lobster, focusing on the company’s financial challenges that later culminated in a bankruptcy filing.

Senior Menu Editor Pat Cobe earned a Gold award for a feature examining the “dirty soda” trend, reflecting evolving consumer preferences and beverage innovation within the restaurant sector.

Additional Silver Awards Recognise Broader Coverage

In addition to the Gold wins, Restaurant Business received three Silver awards across different editorial segments.

Executive Editor Lisa Jennings secured two Silver awards. These were awarded for her reporting on the impact of immigration on restaurant operations and a feature documenting the resurgence of the San Pedro Fish Market.

Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze also received a Silver award for a feature published in a sister title, Nation’s Restaurant News, covering leadership and operational trends within the restaurant industry.

The publication further earned a Silver award for its “Top 100 Independents” editorial package, which profiles leading independent restaurant operators.

Recognition Highlights Editorial Focus Areas

The awards reflect the publication’s editorial emphasis on a range of industry-critical themes, including restaurant technology, financial performance, leadership, and menu innovation.

Coverage of mergers and acquisitions in restaurant technology and financial analysis of major operators were among the topics recognised, indicating sustained industry interest in consolidation trends and corporate performance.

At the same time, features such as the dirty soda trend and independent restaurant rankings demonstrate continued attention to consumer-facing developments and emerging dining patterns.

Part of Broader Industry Awards Cycle

The Upper Midwest Regional Azbee Awards form part of a multi-stage evaluation process conducted by the American Society of Business Publication Editors, which recognises excellence in business journalism across sectors.

Winners at the regional level advance to the national Azbee Awards of Excellence, where final results will be announced on May 14. These awards are considered a benchmark for editorial quality within business-to-business publishing.

Restaurant Business is also a finalist for eight Jesse H. Neal Awards, another major recognition programme in the business media sector, with results scheduled to be announced later this month.

Positioning Within Foodservice Media Landscape

The recognition reinforces Restaurant Business’ position within the foodservice media segment, where publications compete on the basis of industry insights, analytical reporting and coverage depth.

The breadth of award-winning work, from executive profiles to operational analysis and trend reporting—highlights the role of specialised media in documenting changes across the restaurant industry.

The awards also underscore the growing importance of business journalism in sectors such as foodservice, where developments in technology, labour, and consumer behaviour continue to reshape operational models and competitive dynamics.