Core Insights - Mothercare's worldwide retail sales decreased by 18% to £230.6 million ($310.2 million) due to ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East and a reduction in sales arrangements in the UK [1] - The Group's Franchise Partners reported total retail sales of £80.7 million in the first 23 weeks of FY26, down from £107.7 million in FY25 [1] - Adjusted EBITDA for the 52-week period ending March 29 fell to £3.5 million from £6.9 million the previous year, while adjusted operating profit dropped 69% to £2 million [2] Financial Performance - The decline in retail sales is expected to lead to significantly reduced profitability for the Group [1] - The current business model is capable of supporting higher volumes, which could lead to increased income primarily benefiting the bottom line [2] Strategic Focus - Mothercare is in discussions with various parties to restore critical mass, particularly in the UK market [3] - The company aims to monetize operational gearing by enhancing its product offerings and leveraging the strength of the Mothercare brand [5] Historical Context - In 2019, Mothercare entered administration in the UK and closed all 79 stores, shifting focus to international operations and adopting a franchise model in the Middle East [4] - In 2023, the company formed a joint venture with India's Reliance Brands to franchise its brand in parts of Asia [4]

Core Viewpoint - Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management has a strong focus on individual stock analysis and has generated significant returns, with a notable investment in Restaurant Brands International (QSR) which provides reliable passive income through dividends [1][2]. Company Overview - Pershing Square Capital Management owned 10 stocks at the end of Q2, focusing on thorough bottom-up analysis [2]. - QSR has been part of Pershing's portfolio since its IPO in 2012 and owns popular fast-food chains like Burger King, Tim Horton's, and Popeye's [4]. Financial Performance - Over the past five years, QSR's stock has only increased by about 13%, facing challenges such as competition, supply chain issues, and inflation [5]. - QSR has a high debt level of approximately $13.4 billion and a debt-to-equity ratio exceeding 4 as of the end of Q2 [5]. Business Model and Strategy - Ackman and his team favor QSR for its "high-quality, capital-light" franchise model, which generates royalties from leading fast-food brands [6]. - Burger King International reported over 4% same-store sales growth year-over-year, outperforming McDonald's [6]. - QSR is revamping its U.S. business and plans to invest $500 million into the Carrols Restaurant Group to modernize over 600 restaurants before refranchising [7]. Dividend and Cash Flow - QSR offers a high dividend yield of approximately 3.90%, with $544 million paid in dividends in the first half of the year, translating to an annual run rate of about $1.09 billion [9][10]. - Over the past 12 months, QSR generated free cash flow of $1.35 billion, providing a buffer for dividend payments [10]. - Despite net income of $484 million in the first half of the year being below dividends paid, management remains optimistic about future food price cycles [10][11]. Investment Position - As of the end of Q2, Pershing's stake in QSR was valued at $1.52 billion, yielding approximately $59.5 million in dividends annually based on the 3.90% yield [12].

Core Insights - Broken Yolk Café is expanding its franchise by opening four new locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, following a multi-unit agreement with partners JP Wu and John Zhang [1][2] - The franchise now has a total of 41 locations across several states, including Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and Texas [2] - The new locations are strategically targeting suburban cities in North DFW, capitalizing on significant population growth and business expansion in the area [3] Company Expansion - The new cafés in Dallas-Fort Worth are part of a broader strategy to enhance the franchise's presence in rapidly growing suburban markets [3] - The first of four new locations in southeast Los Angeles County, California, is set to open in the first quarter of 2026 [4] Franchise Model - The franchise model of Broken Yolk Café is designed to support franchisees, emphasizing quality and a strong franchise culture [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Driven Brands reported approximately $6.5 billion in system-wide sales and $2 billion in revenue, primarily from non-discretionary services [4][5] - The company aims for mid-30% EBITDA margins, with some quarter-over-quarter variations noted [41][42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Take 5 Oil Change has grown from 40 units in 2016 to 1,300 locations today, with system-wide sales expected to reach $1.4 billion [9] - Same-store sales growth for Take 5 has been in the mid to high single-digit range, driven by store maturation, new store openings, and increased ticket sizes [12][13][14] - Non-oil change revenue currently accounts for about 20% of sales, with an attach rate in the upper 40% [15][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The collision repair industry is facing a 10% year-over-year decline in estimate counts, attributed to claim avoidance and high total loss rates [48] - The average age of vehicles in the U.S. is at an all-time high of 12.8 years, benefiting maintenance businesses like Meineke [54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Driven Brands focuses on growth through Take 5, with plans to open over 150 new locations annually, primarily through franchising [25][36] - The company is committed to maintaining its promise of a 10-minute oil change experience while exploring new service offerings that fit operational and financial criteria [26][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management reiterated a positive outlook for the second half of the year despite some headwinds, particularly in discretionary spending [69] - The company believes it can thrive in the automotive service market through the 2020s and 2030s, even with the rise of electric vehicles [31] Other Important Information - Driven Brands operates a diversified platform, with only one business segment exposed to electric vehicles, while the rest remain EV-agnostic [29] - The franchise segment generates robust cash flow and EBITDA margins north of 60%, which supports growth in other areas [43][44] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the core consumer in the second half of the year? - Management reiterated their outlook, noting some headwinds but feeling comfortable with their projections [69] Question: How does pricing impact your business? - The company has not had to pass along price increases due to its non-discretionary nature, with growth driven by premiumization rather than price hikes [72] Question: What is the expectation for market consolidation in the industry? - The trend of consolidation among a few players acquiring smaller ones is expected to continue, without significant acceleration [74]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Driven Brands reported approximately $6.5 billion in system-wide sales and $2 billion in revenue, primarily from non-discretionary services [4][5] - The company aims for mid-30% EBITDA margins, with some quarter-over-quarter variations noted [42][43] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Take 5 Oil Change has grown from 40 units in 2016 to 1,300 locations today, with system-wide sales projected to reach $1.4 billion [9] - Same-store sales growth for Take 5 has been consistent in the mid to high single-digit range, driven by store maturation, advertising, and premiumization of services [12][14] - Non-oil change revenue currently accounts for about 20% of total revenue, with an attach rate in the upper 40% [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The collision repair industry is facing a 10% year-over-year decline in estimate counts, attributed to claim avoidance and high total loss rates [49] - The average age of vehicles in the U.S. is at an all-time high, benefiting vehicle maintenance services like Meineke [55] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Driven Brands focuses on growth through new unit openings, targeting 150+ locations annually, with a preference for a 2:1 ratio of franchise to company-operated stores [25][36] - The company is committed to maintaining its promise of a 10-minute oil change experience while exploring new service offerings that align with operational and financial fit [26][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management reiterated a positive outlook for the second half of the year despite some headwinds, particularly in discretionary spending [70] - The company believes it can thrive in the automotive service market through the 2020s and 2030s, even with the rise of electric vehicles [31] Other Important Information - Driven Brands operates a diversified platform, with only a portion of its business exposed to electric vehicles, while the rest remains EV-agnostic [29] - The company has a strong cash flow generation from its franchise segment, which supports growth initiatives in higher-margin businesses like Take 5 [44][58] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the core consumer in the second half of the year? - Management reiterated their outlook for the second half, noting some headwinds but feeling comfortable with their projections [70] Question: How do you see pricing elasticity affecting your business? - The company noted that it operates in a non-discretionary market, allowing for price adjustments without significant elasticity response [73][74] Question: What are the expectations for market consolidation in the industry? - Management expects the trend of consolidation among a few players to continue, without significant acceleration [75]

Technology & Scalability - Biochar technology has struggled to scale [1] - Terraton believes a franchise model could unlock biochar's potential [1] Company Focus - Terraton sees promise in biochar [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, food revenue increased by 8.6% year over year, with food revenue contribution reaching a historical high of 35.2%, up 2.8 percentage points from 32.5% in 2024 [6] - System sales grew by 1.4% year over year, while adjusted corporate EBITDA returned to positive, and adjusted net losses were reduced by 16.2% [7][21] - Monthly average transacting customers reached 3,590,000, a 14.3% increase from 3,140,000 in Q2 2024 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues from franchised and retail businesses increased by 50.7% year over year, with the number of franchised stores rising from 333 to 449 [18] - Company-owned and operated store revenues dropped by 12.5% year over year due to planned closures of underperforming stores and a 3.6% decrease in same-store sales growth [17] - Delivery orders for company-owned stores increased by 10.2% year over year, indicating a growing demand for delivery services [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average number of registered loyalty club members reached 26.2 million, reflecting a 22.4% year over year growth [9] - Digital orders as a percentage of total orders rose from 86.5% in Q2 2024 to an all-time high of 90.4% in Q2 2025 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company reinforced its coffee plus freshly prepared food strategy with the launch of the live lunch box platform and new combo products [6] - A target to open around 200 franchise stores in 2025 was set, focusing on capital efficiency and convenience for customers [9] - The company aims to enhance operational efficiencies through supply chain optimizations and rigorous cost controls [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about achieving positive same-store sales in Q3 and the second half of the year, indicating a recovery trend [38] - The company is close to achieving operating cash flow self-sufficiency and is working on securing additional capital for growth [33][43] Other Important Information - Marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues increased to approximately 4%, up 0.5 percentage points year over year, primarily to support the lunch box campaign [20] - The company is focused on monetizing its loyalty members and designing campaigns to increase their spending [41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Current thinking on the rate of sub franchise applications - Management clarified that 41 of the 49 closures in Q2 were non-MTO Express stores, and they expect over 100 net openings this year, targeting 200 to 300 new openings annually in the coming years [28] Question: Sustainability of increased marketing expenses - Management noted that same-store sales have been recovering well and expect positive growth in the second half of the year, attributing some marketing expenses to the lunch box campaign [30][31] Question: Balancing investment for growth with capital conservatism - Management indicated they are close to breakeven on adjusted corporate EBITDA and are working on securing additional financing to open more profitable stores while balancing financial positions [32][34] Question: Update on refinancing convertible debt - Management stated they are making good progress on refinancing and will disclose details when available [40] Question: Monetizing loyalty members - Management acknowledged the challenge of monetizing loyalty members and emphasized the need to design effective products and campaigns to increase member spending [41] Question: Expectation of liquidity position improvement - Management expressed confidence in their liquidity position, stating they are approaching operating cash flow self-sufficiency and are working to bring in new capital [43]

Core Insights - European Wax Center (EWCZ) and Sally Beauty Holdings (SBH) target different segments within the beauty and personal care industry, with EWCZ focusing on a service-driven model through franchised waxing centers, while SBH emphasizes retailing professional-grade beauty products [1][2] European Wax Center (EWCZ) - EWCZ is developing a data-rich, digital-first marketing platform to enhance guest acquisition, introducing new tools in Q1 2025 to measure advertising effectiveness and reduce cost per acquisition [3] - The company is enhancing franchisee profitability and operational support by expanding the franchisee support team and increasing engagement with the learning management system by 50% [4] - EWCZ is adopting a disciplined expansion strategy, targeting underpenetrated areas for new center openings in 2026, supported by improved market planning tools and a rigorous site approval process [5] - Despite strategic advancements, EWCZ faces rising SG&A costs and elevated interest expenses, leading to a projected net reduction in center count for 2025 [6] - EWCZ's stock gained 54.8% over three months, outperforming SBH's 27.2% gain, reflecting strength in its digital and franchise model [9][16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EWCZ's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year growth of 35.6%, with estimates remaining unchanged at 61 cents [12] Sally Beauty Holdings (SBH) - SBH is focused on enhancing customer centricity, accelerating high-margin owned brand growth, and improving operational efficiency, with global e-commerce sales reaching $94 million in Q2 fiscal 2025, a 6% increase [7] - The company is executing a brand refresh starting May 2025 to enhance its position as a beauty destination, with positive feedback from initial store updates in Orlando [8] - Operational excellence is a priority for SBH, with the Fuel for Growth program delivering $20 million in pre-tax savings in the first half of fiscal 2025, and adjusted SG&A declining by $11 million in Q2 [10] - Despite these efforts, SBH is navigating a challenging macro environment with cautious consumer spending and softness in hair care categories [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SBH's fiscal 2025 EPS suggests a year-over-year growth of 3.6%, with estimates remaining unchanged at $1.75 [14] Comparative Analysis - EWCZ's forward P/E ratio is 7.51X, higher than SBH's 5.52X, indicating a market premium for EWCZ's growth potential [17] - EWCZ is better positioned for long-term growth due to its franchise-based model and digital marketing execution, while SBH's strengths in owned brands and cost control may be limited by softer category trends [19]

Core Insights - Monoprix and the Zouari family are planning to franchise 27 Monop' stores in Paris and the Île-de-France region as part of Monoprix's strategy to enhance sales momentum and accelerate development with a long-term partner [1][3] - The project includes a renovation plan to modernize the stores to meet the latest Monop' concept standards, with no job losses anticipated [2] - Philippe Palazzi, CEO of Casino Group and Chairman of Monoprix, emphasized that this partnership aligns with the strategy of revitalizing the store network and developing the franchise model [3] Company Overview - Monoprix, a brand under Casino Group, has been transforming urban convenience retailing for over 90 years, operating 625 stores and an e-commerce site [3] - The company reported net sales of €4 billion in 2023, showcasing its robust market presence [3]

The stock market sell-off has intensified, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both down over 10% from their recent highs and the Nasdaq Composite down over 20% as of this writing-- putting the growth-heavy index in a bear market.But that doesn't mean that all stocks are going down. In fact, fast-food giant McDonald's (MCD -0.25%) hit an all-time high in March and is up slightly year-to-date at the time of this writing.Here's why the Dow Jones component is well positioned to endure tariffs and ...