Trending this week: Applebee’s refines its value strategy

See what’s popular on Nation’s Restaurant News this week This week on NRN.com, the top story was about Applebee’s refined value strategy. During the third quarter, executives acknowledged missing the mark amid tough conditions, including and especially a “noisy” value environment. Now, the company is introducing a Really Big Meal Deal — the choice of the chain’s new Big Cluckin’ hand-breaded chicken sandwich or Big Classic Bacon Cheeseburger with fries and a fountain beverage for dine-in, to-go, or delivery for $9.99. Another casual-dining chain, Outback Steakhouse, is celebrating the winter holidays with new “steakmas” menu items, as well as bringing back its plush Koala in the Walla in media. Outback has also stocked its merchandise store with toys, sweatshirts, ornaments, and other items. On the workforce front, the National Labor Relations Board overturned nearly 40 years of precedent with the recent decision, Siren Retail Corp d/b/a Starbucks, which clarified that most employer statements on the company impact of unionization are considered “unlawful threats.” Get all these stories and more, including the latest on Jersey Mike’s, Wendy’s, and Kura Sushi in the gallery above. 1 overtime rule.jpg Type Image Caption Credits Getty Images Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: The company was founded in 2013 amid a category boom and now includes 14 locations Image Alt Text: 2 Fired Pie.jpgGallery Slide Headline: 9. Fast casual pizza concept Fired Pie has filed for bankruptcyPublished:  3inflation_2.jpeg Type Image Caption Credits Getty Images Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: CEO Peter Cancro, who purchased the sub shop in 1975, will maintain a significant equity stake and will continue to lead the business Image Alt Text: 5 Jersey Mike's.jpgGallery Slide Headline: 6. Blackstone acquires majority stake in Jersey Mike’sPublished:  6 Kura Sushi.jpg Type Image Caption Credits Courtesy of Kura Sushi Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Oregon and Washington restaurants are performing well, company executives say Image Alt Text: 6 Kura Sushi.jpgGallery Slide Headline: 5. Kura Sushi banks on strength in the Pacific NorthwestPublished:  7 Starbucks.jpg Type Image Caption Credits Courtesy of Starbucks Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Bloomin’ Brands division provides food deals and merchandise through Jan. 1 Image Alt Text: 8 Outback-Steakhouse-Steakmas-Menu-Offerings.jpgGallery Slide Headline: 3. Outback promotes holiday with ‘Steakmas,’ return of Koala on the WallaPublished:  9 onions.jpg Type Image Caption Credits Getty Images Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: