Robert Channick

Robert Channick is a business reporter for the Tribune. A former broadcast consultant and radio station manager, he began freelancing for the Chicago Tribune in 2002, joining the Tribune staff as a business reporter in 2011. He has a bachelor's degree in English from Kenyon College and a master's in journalism from Northwestern University.

Starbucks workers strike at the Starbucks at Ridge Avenue and Clark Street in Chicago on Dec. 24, 2024. The store is one of hundreds across the country slated to close. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Starbucks closing hundreds of stores including Glencoe and several others in the Chicago area

September 29, 2025 at 10:35 a.m.

Notice of the store closings, casualties of the company’s Back to Starbucks restructuring plan, began appearing this week, with signs posted in the windows of the shuttering locations.

A producer works in the control room while anchor Nichole Berlie broadcasts, Sept. 15, 2025, at the Chicago studios of NewsNation. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

‘Scrappy’ NewsNation celebrates 5 years as Chicago-based cable news network

September 23, 2025 at 6:53 p.m.

The network has carved out its own niche behind the big three – Fox News, MSNBC and CNN – with some big-name stars backed by an army of local TV...

Portillo's CEO Michael Osanloo on Aug. 6, 2018, at company headquarters in Oak Brook. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Portillo’s CEO abruptly departs amid sluggish sales

September 23, 2025 at 7:33 p.m.

Facing disappointing sales and downsized expansion plans, Portillo’s announced the abrupt departure Monday of CEO Michael Osanloo.

Rivian all-electric R1S SUVs and R1T trucks maneuver in a dirt course at an off-road event on Sept. 19, 2025, created near Pioneer Court in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Rivian off-road course draws thousands of joyriders along Michigan Avenue

September 22, 2025 at 5:34 p.m.

More than 2,000 people went off-roading along the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago over the weekend, as EV automaker Rivian turned Pioneer Court into a pop-up wilderness course.

Kyla Jeffries prepares a spicy chopped salad at Portillo’s in Chicago's River North neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2024. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

As restaurant traffic wanes, Portillo’s slows store openings and ends Chicago breakfast experiment

September 11, 2025 at 11:22 a.m.

The iconic restaurant chain Portillo's has been struggling to recapture its Chicago street-food mojo and conquer new markets for several years.

Patrons enjoy lunch in the outdoor area of the Potbelly in the 100 block of Chicago's North Canal Street on July 31, 2019. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago-based sandwich chain Potbelly sold to RaceTrac convenience stores for $566 million

September 10, 2025 at 5:20 p.m.

Privately owned and operated RaceTrac is expected to close the Potbelly acquisition in the fourth quarter, pending shareholder and regulatory approval. The merger would pair two venerable but very different...

Chicago Bears players take part in a charity bowling event Sept. 21, 2015, at the Northbrook Pinstripes. (Karie Angell Luc/for Pioneer Press)

Bowling and restaurant chain Pinstripes files bankruptcy amid downturn in ‘eatertainment’ business, closes Chicago site

September 9, 2025 at 7:27 p.m.

Three suburban Chicago locations — Oak Brook, South Barrington and the flagship Northbrook venue — will remain open while the company seeks a new buyer, a Pinstripes spokesperson said in...

The new Hollywood Casino before its grand opening on Aug. 7, 2025, in Joliet. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Hollywood Casino Joliet opens to big revenue boost in August

September 9, 2025 at 1:24 p.m.

The $185 million facility, which opened on Aug. 10, generated more revenue in three weeks than its predecessor riverboat did in any full month over the past five years, according...

Boats in the “Playpen,” a designated anchoring and popular party spot on Lake Michigan near Ohio Street Beach, on July 27, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago launches social media campaign as Trump’s ‘Chipocalypse Now’ post stokes tensions

September 9, 2025 at 5:55 p.m.

The campaign, dubbed “All for the Love of Chicago” by the city's tourism arm, invites residents and visitors alike to post photos, videos and stories on Instagram and TikTok depicting...

Sydney Daucher and Noah Flowers, both servers at the Hard Rock Casino Rockford, have photos taken with musician Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick during a one-year anniversary party for employees on Sept. 3, 2025. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

A year after opening, Hard Rock Casino Rockford looks to add hotel as it anticipates competition from Wisconsin

September 4, 2025 at 10:10 a.m.

It's looking to defend its turf against the Ho-Chunk Nation, which is building a casino complex 18 miles away in Beloit, Wisconsin.

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