BREAKING: Anatoly Yakovenko, CEO @solanalabs, joins the @CFTC Innovation Advisory Committeehttps://t.co/p6lYTNgnH0Mike Selig (@ChairmanSelig):Here is the full roster of the @CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee.👇 https://t.co/J8YwpXQ8I9 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, total revenues reached $1.64 billion, representing a growth of 28% compared to the previous year, and more than doubling since the end of 2022 [6][23] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 grew by 31% to $303 million, outpacing revenue growth [7][23] - System same-shop sales growth was 5.6% for the year, with Q4 showing a growth of 7.7% [6][24] - Company-operated contribution margin was approximately 29% for 2025, reflecting over 400 basis points of margin expansion since 2022 [7][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New shop growth contributed significantly, with 154 new shop openings in 2025, leading to a total of 1,136 system-wide shops [6][24] - Company-operated same-shop sales growth in Q4 was 9.7%, driven by strong transaction growth of 7.6% [27] - System-wide average unit volumes (AUVs) reached a record $2.1 million, indicating strong shop-level economics [8][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expanded into seven contiguous states, including North Carolina, increasing its market presence to 25 states [11] - The new food program has been rolled out to over 300 shops across 11 states, with plans for completion by the end of 2026 [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reach 2,029 shops by 2029, with a clear strategy focused on growth through people and brand investment [9][19] - A shift towards a foundational top-of-the-funnel paid advertising engine has been implemented to enhance brand awareness [14] - The company is also focusing on expanding its CPG platform, which includes creamers and ready-to-drink offerings, to drive long-term growth [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate competitive pressures and maintain traffic strength, citing strong same-shop sales performance [38] - The company anticipates continued transaction growth in 2026, with expectations of opening at least 181 new system shops [12][27] - Management acknowledged commodity cost pressures but remains optimistic about achieving long-term contribution margin goals [24][29] Other Important Information - The company has built a strong pipeline of regional operator candidates, increasing from approximately 400 to 475 since the end of 2022 [10] - The loyalty program, Dutch Rewards, surpassed 15 million members, with 72% of system transactions attributed to it [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the company protect traffic during competitive pressures? - Management highlighted the strength of their value proposition and service quality, expressing confidence in maintaining traffic strength despite competition [38] Question: What is the mandate for the new Chief Shops Officer? - The focus will be on supporting baristas and enhancing operational initiatives, including the food program and mobile ordering [40] Question: What metrics can be shared regarding the food program's impact? - Management is tracking various operational metrics and is pleased with the initial results, indicating a long-term strategy for food offerings [46] Question: How does the company view the Clutch acquisition? - The acquisition is seen as a capital-efficient way to expand into new markets, with plans for conversion and opening in Q2 and Q3 [60][84] Question: What is the outlook for competition in specific markets? - Management noted that they are not currently seeing pressures on site availability or costs due to competition, maintaining a strong position in real estate [71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, total revenues grew by 28%, reaching $1.64 billion, more than doubling since the end of 2022 [4][20] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 31% to $303 million, outpacing revenue growth [5][20] - System same-shop sales growth was 5.6% for the year, with Q4 same-shop sales growth at 7.7% [6][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New shop growth contributed 16% with 154 new shop openings in 2025 [4][20] - Company-operated same-shop sales growth was 9.7% in Q4, driven by strong transaction growth of 7.6% [25][20] - Company-operated contribution margin was approximately 27.6% in Q4, reflecting a 24% increase year-over-year [26][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - System-wide average unit volumes (AUVs) reached a record $2.1 million, indicating strong shop-level economics [6][20] - The company expanded into seven contiguous states, increasing its system shop footprint to 25 states and 1,136 shops [10][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reach 2,029 shops by 2029, with a clear strategy focused on long-term growth through people and brand investment [7][17] - A significant focus on enhancing brand awareness through a top-of-the-funnel paid advertising engine and the rollout of the Dutch Bros CPG platform [12][13] - The company is also expanding its food program, which has shown promising results in driving incremental beverage occasions [15][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate commodity cost headwinds and maintain a long-term contribution margin goal of approximately 30% [20][31] - The company anticipates continued transaction growth in 2026, with system same-shop sales growth projected at 3%-5% [23][31] - Management highlighted the importance of their people and operational excellence in driving future growth [8][17] Other Important Information - The company reported approximately $705 million in total liquidity as of December 31, including $269 million in cash [29][31] - The average capital expenditure per shop decreased from $1.8 million in Q4 2024 to $1.3 million in Q4 2025 [30][68] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the company protect traffic during competitive pressures? - Management highlighted the strength of their value proposition and confidence in their service and product quality, noting strong same-shop sales growth [34][35] Question: What is the mandate for the new Chief Shops Officer? - The focus will be on supporting baristas and enhancing initiatives like the food program and mobile ordering [37][38] Question: What are the expectations for new store productivity? - Management expects strong performance from new shops, with a target of $1.8 million in AUVs [46][49] Question: How is the food program impacting margins? - The food program is expected to be dollar accretive but may pressure overall margins due to elevated costs [55][57] Question: What are the learnings from the new walk-up store in Los Angeles? - Initial results are promising, and the company sees potential for urban expansion through this model [75][76] Question: Is the company actively seeking acquisition opportunities like Clutch? - Management confirmed they are open to conversion opportunities and view them as a productive use of capital [63][64]

Okay. Hello everyone. I'm so glad to see you guys here and my name is Agniv and I don't have a lab and I'm not a scientist but I discover new things every day which feel completely new to me.And most people think innovation starts in a lab with big machines and complicated formulas. I think innovation starts somewhere else. It starts when a person asks a really small question.Why. Before airplanes were ex existed, someone imagined flying, right. Before light bulbs, someone imagined light in the dark.Yeah. L ...

Try to imagine a world without containers. Surprisingly, they are only about 70 years old. In 1950, Malcolm Mlean watched workers loading cargo piece by piece.His idea was almost absurdly simple. Put track trailers directly onto ships. That single shift cut cost by 97% and reshaped the global economy.Today, 90% of the world's goods travel by containers, powering 14 trillion global trade network that makes modern life possible. Mlean laid the economic foundation for globalization itself. The today is expandi ...

Innovation is the grease in the economic engine, the sparkle that keeps culture fresh and the key ingredient in nearly every billion-dollar fortune.To kick off our yearlong series of special reports celebrating America’s 250th birthday, we present the men and women who best embody that creative spirit. All of them are in the mold of the quintessential American innovator, Thomas Edison. That means they aren’t just inventors; they’re business leaders who bring their breakthroughs to market, transforming entir ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, IFF generated revenue of nearly $2.6 billion, with a 1% growth compared to a 6% year-ago comparable, and a 4% increase on a two-year average basis [12] - EBITDA totaled $437 million for Q4, a 7% increase, with EBITDA margin increasing by 90 basis points to 16.9% [12] - For the full year 2025, IFF achieved 7% EBITDA growth with 100 basis points of margin expansion [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Taste segment sales increased 2% to $588 million, with EBITDA rising 17% to $94 million [13] - Health & Biosciences segment achieved sales of $589 million, a 5% increase, with EBITDA growing 20% to $155 million [15] - Scent segment delivered sales of $610 million, representing 4% growth, with EBITDA increasing 1% to $106 million [16] - Food Ingredients sales were down 4% to $802 million, but EBITDA grew by 10% due to margin improvements [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The performance in North America for the Taste segment showed high-single-digit growth driven by new wins [13] - Health & Biosciences saw strong growth in Food Biosciences and Animal Nutrition, both growing double digits [15] - The Scent segment's Fine Fragrance grew by 10%, while Fragrance Ingredients faced pressure due to market softness [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IFF is focusing on high-value, innovation-driven businesses, having completed divestitures of several lower-margin businesses [8] - The company is pursuing a sale for its Food Ingredients business to optimize its portfolio [9] - IFF aims to drive profitable growth while maintaining a disciplined capital allocation strategy, with net debt to credit-adjusted EBITDA down to 2.6x [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for 2026, expecting sales growth in the range of $10.5 billion to $10.8 billion, representing 1%-4% growth [20] - The company anticipates that macroeconomic uncertainty will persist but believes in its ability to achieve consistent, profitable growth [10] - Management highlighted the importance of innovation and productivity in driving future performance [26] Other Important Information - Cash flow from operations totaled $850 million for the full year, with CapEx at $594 million [16] - The company returned $409 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [18] - IFF's cash and cash equivalents finished at $590 million, with gross debt decreasing by nearly $3 billion compared to 2024 [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Assumptions around price and volume in 2026 - Management indicated that expected growth for 2026 is volume-driven, with incremental margins on volumes around 30%-35% depending on the business segment [32] Question: Top and bottom end of the 1%-4% currency neutral sales outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism, driven by a strong pipeline and customer emphasis on volume growth, with expectations for all divisions to grow within the range [35] Question: Early interest in the sale of Food Ingredients - Management confirmed strong interest from both strategic and private equity firms, with proceeds expected to be used for share buybacks and debt reduction [40] Question: Price dynamics in the Scent segment - Management noted that pricing was flat year-over-year, with margin pressure primarily from input costs, and a shift towards higher growth proprietary ingredients will take time [42] Question: Health & Biosciences margin uplift - Management attributed strong performance to volume growth and productivity, with expectations for the Health business to stabilize and grow in the second half of 2026 [46] Question: Free Cash Flow expectations - Management expects meaningful improvement in Free Cash Flow for 2026, driven by profitability growth and disciplined cash management [51] Question: R&D efforts and innovation pipeline - Management reported significant investments in innovation capabilities, with expected benefits starting in the second half of 2026 [56] Question: Reformulation opportunities in the marketplace - Management noted ongoing reformulation trends, with opportunities for IFF to support customers in creating healthier products [85]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, IFF generated revenue of nearly $2.6 billion, with a 1% growth compared to a 6% year-ago comparable, and a 4% increase on a two-year average basis [11] - EBITDA totaled $437 million for Q4, a 7% increase, with an EBITDA margin increase of 90 basis points to 16.9% [11] - For the full year 2025, IFF achieved 7% EBITDA growth with 100 basis points of margin expansion [10] Business Segment Performance Changes - Taste segment sales increased 2% to $588 million, with EBITDA up 17% to $94 million [12] - Health and Biosciences segment sales grew 5% to $589 million, with EBITDA increasing 20% to $155 million [13] - Scent segment delivered sales of $610 million, representing 4% growth, with EBITDA increasing 1% to $106 million [14] - Food ingredients sales were down 4% to $802 million, but EBITDA grew by 10% due to margin improvements [12][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The performance in North America for the Taste segment showed high single-digit growth, driven by new wins [12] - Health and Biosciences saw strong growth in food biosciences and animal nutrition, both achieving double-digit growth [13] - The Scent segment's fine fragrance grew by 10%, while fragrance ingredients faced pressure due to market softness [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IFF is focusing on high-value, innovation-driven businesses, having divested from lower-margin segments [6][8] - The company is optimistic about the sale process for its food ingredients business, aiming to enhance shareholder value [17] - Investments in R&D, commercial capabilities, and manufacturing capacity are prioritized to drive profitable growth [5][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving consistent, profitable growth despite macroeconomic uncertainties [9] - For 2026, IFF expects sales in the range of $10.5 billion to $10.8 billion, representing 1%-4% growth [18] - EBITDA for 2026 is projected to be between $2.05 billion and $2.15 billion, indicating 3%-8% growth [19] Other Important Information - Cash flow from operations totaled $850 million for the full year, with CapEx at approximately 5.5% of sales [14] - The company returned $409 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [15] - The net debt to credit-adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 2.6 times, down from 3.8 times in 2024 [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Assumptions around price and volume in 2026 - Management indicated that growth for 2026 is expected to be volume-driven, with incremental margins on volumes around 30%-35% depending on the segment [28][29] Question: Top and bottom end of the 1%-4% currency neutral sales outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism, driven by a strong pipeline and customer focus on volume growth, with expectations for all divisions to grow within the range [31][32] Question: Early interest in the sale of food ingredients - Management confirmed strong interest from both strategic and private equity firms, with optimism about the sale process [36][37] Question: Price dynamics in the scent segment - Management noted that pricing was flat year-over-year, with margin pressure primarily from input costs, and a gradual shift towards higher-value ingredients is expected [40][41] Question: Health and biosciences margin uplift - Strong volume growth and productivity improvements contributed to the margin uplift, with expectations for stabilization and growth in the health business [43][44] Question: Free cash flow expectations for 2026 - Management anticipates meaningful improvement in free cash flow driven by profitability growth and working capital management [46][49] Question: R&D efforts and innovation metrics - Management highlighted a $100 million investment in innovation capabilities, with expected benefits starting in the second half of 2026 [53][56] Question: Reformulation opportunities in the marketplace - Management noted ongoing reformulation trends, with opportunities for IFF to support customers in creating healthier products [82][84]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, global sales from continuing operations totaled $3 billion, representing an 8% increase on a reported basis and a 3% increase on an operational basis [8][18] - Adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $0.44 per diluted share, which fell short of expectations despite exceeding top-line forecasts [8][18] - Adjusted gross margins from continuing operations were 35.5%, a decrease of 900 basis points compared to the prior year [26] - Adjusted operating margin was 11.8%, a decrease of 340 basis points compared to the prior year [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Medical Products and Therapies (MPT) segment sales were $1.4 billion, increasing 4% in the quarter, driven by growth in Infusion Therapies and Technologies [18][19] - Advanced Surgery sales totaled $328 million, growing 11% due to strong demand for hemostats and sealants [20] - Healthcare Systems and Technologies (HST) sales were $827 million, increasing 4%, with Care and Connectivity Solutions growing 4% globally [21] - Pharmaceuticals segment sales totaled $668 million, increasing 2%, but the Injectables and Anesthesia division saw a decline of 9% [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total U.S. capital orders for Care and Connectivity Solutions increased nearly 30% compared to the prior year, indicating strong demand [22] - The company has not observed a slowdown in U.S. hospital capital spending, although macroeconomic uncertainty is being monitored closely [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three main priorities: stabilizing business areas, strengthening the balance sheet, and driving a culture of continuous improvement [11][12] - A new operating model has been announced to simplify the organization, accelerate innovation, and improve performance by delayering leadership and embedding critical functional roles [12][62] - Continuous investment in R&D is expected to remain at or above historical levels to drive innovation [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges faced in Q4 2025 and emphasized the need for improvement in performance and execution [9][10] - The outlook for 2026 anticipates total sales growth to be flat to 1% on a reported basis, with organic sales growth expected to be approximately flat [30][32] - The first quarter of 2026 is expected to be the most challenging, with improvements anticipated in the second half of the year [35][36] Other Important Information - Free cash flow generation exceeded $450 million in Q4 2025, with full-year free cash flow reaching $438 million [29] - The company plans to deploy cash towards reducing leverage in line with its capital allocation framework [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strategic review and sustainability of the business - Management emphasized the importance of accountability at lower levels and the need for continuous improvement to enhance customer support and performance [41][42] Question: Progress on reducing G&A and support costs - Management confirmed that they are on track with cost takeout and streamlining operations, with a commitment to eliminate stranded costs by the end of 2027 [46][48] Question: Earnings growth as TSAs roll off - Management indicated that while they anticipate growth in 2027, specific guidance is not being provided at this time [51][52] Question: Q4 gross margin decline factors - Management identified unfavorable sales mix, higher manufacturing costs, and non-recurring items as key contributors to the gross margin decline [70][71] Question: Improving margins in the Pharmaceuticals business - Management expressed confidence in the fundamentals of the Pharmaceuticals business and outlined ongoing efforts to improve operational execution and address supplier challenges [76][78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total sales of $809 million for Q4 2025, reflecting a core growth of 5% and an adjusted EPS of $0.86, which is an 8% increase year-over-year [13][4] - For the full year, organic sales grew nearly 4% and EPS finished up 11% [4][5] - Adjusted free cash flow for 2025 was over $460 million, equating to about 15% of annual sales [4][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental and Fueling Solutions (EFS) segment delivered 6% core growth for the full year, with dispenser sales increasing high single digits in Q4 [14] - Mobility Technologies saw core sales increase by 8.5% in Q4, with Invenco achieving a revenue base of nearly $650 million, up 22% organically [15][8] - Repair Solutions experienced a sequential sales increase in Q4, although overall sales declined 2% due to lower volumes [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The convenience retail end market is growing at a mid-single-digit CAGR, driven by strategic investments in food service and technology [9] - The fueling market has shown broad-based growth, with sustained high levels of capital investment in fueling equipment, particularly in North America [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a connected mobility strategy that enables profitable growth and innovation [5] - Simplification efforts are expected to yield $15 million in incremental cost savings, enhancing operational efficiency [6][18] - The unified payment solution is a strategic priority, addressing payment complexity and driving additional revenue opportunities [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in entering 2026 with strong momentum and a healthy balance sheet, expecting core growth of about 3% for the full year [18][24] - The company anticipates attractive operating margin expansion of 80 basis points at the midpoint for 2026 [18] - Management highlighted the importance of innovation and product vitality in driving customer engagement and commercial momentum [24] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with nearly $500 million in cash and a net leverage ratio of 2.3 times [17] - Share repurchases totaled $300 million for the year, equating to over 5% of shares outstanding [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Mobility Tech growth - Management noted that innovation-driven growth in Mobility Tech exceeded expectations, with better uptake on new products like FlexPay 6 and iNFX [30] Question: Longevity of retail fueling cycle - Management expressed confidence in the retail fueling cycle, citing strong demand from convenience store customers and ongoing capital investments [35][38] Question: Q1 core growth expectations across segments - Management expects EFS to grow in the low single-digit range, Mobility Technologies to be flattish, and Repair Solutions to remain relatively flat [42] Question: Impact of one-time inventory adjustment on margins - The inventory adjustment at Invenco was $4 million, impacting margins by approximately 130 basis points for Q4 [58] Question: Outlook for Repair Solutions growth - Management indicated a healthy backdrop for repair, with potential upside from improving trends and macroeconomic factors [60]