NEW YORK, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHAT: Verizon is back with David Beckham to announce the third Verizon Ultimate Access ticket drop for FIFA World Cup 2026™ giving customers an unprecedented opportunity to attend World Cup matches. From January 7-11, customers will have the chance to score hundreds of free tickets to every match, including all group stage matches in every U.S. city. WHY: As the Official Telecommunication Services Sponsor of FIFA World Cup 2026™, Verizon is rewarding customers by ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 2026 was $797.2 million, down 5.7% from the prior year quarter [23] - Adjusted EBITDA was $7.2 million, or 0.9% of total revenue, compared to $45.8 million, or 5.4% of total revenue in the prior year [27] - GAAP earnings per diluted share were -$1.10, and adjusted earnings per diluted share were -$0.74 [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Restaurant revenue decreased 4.8% to $650.6 million, with comparable store restaurant sales down 4.7% [23] - Total retail revenue decreased 9.4% to $146.6 million, with comparable store retail sales down 8.5% [23] - Off-premise sales accounted for 18.1% of restaurant sales [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Traffic declined approximately 11% in the quarter, with a consistent trend between -10% and -11% over the last couple of months [28][62] - The company noted a decline in consumer sentiment and overall industry traffic compared to the summer [52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on improving food quality and guest experience, with a multi-pronged plan to connect with guests through menu, messaging, and loyalty programs [11][12] - A restructuring of the corporate support center is underway to streamline operations and reduce costs, aiming for annualized G&A savings of approximately $20 million-$25 million [30] - The company is committed to maintaining food quality while pursuing cost savings and operational efficiency [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a difficult macro and industry backdrop, with plans to regain trust and confidence from guests [5][6] - The outlook for fiscal 2026 anticipates total revenue of $3.2 billion to $3.3 billion, reflecting a slower recovery than previously expected [29] - Management emphasized the importance of delivering consistent quality and hospitality to drive traffic recovery [34][68] Other Important Information - The company has launched several promotional initiatives, including a military discount and a toy promotion for kids' meals, to drive traffic [15][17] - The Cracker Barrel Rewards Loyalty Program has grown to over 10 million members, accounting for 40% of tracked sales [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Advertising Spend Reduction - Management explained that the reduction in advertising spend is to align with current traffic levels and reduce non-guest-facing costs, with a planned decrease of $12 million-$16 million in advertising expenses for Q2 to Q4 [37][38] Question: Holiday Season Plans - Management confirmed that they are actively working to drive traffic during the holiday season with promotions and menu items that resonate with guests [41][45] Question: Updated Traffic Guidance - Management indicated that the updated traffic guidance for the year includes expectations of a decline of 8% to 10%, with potential recovery in the back half of the year [50][51] Question: Macro Pressures Impact - Management noted that consumer sentiment has softened and overall industry traffic has decreased, but performance across income cohorts has remained relatively stable [52][53] Question: Challenges with Operations Initiative - Management acknowledged challenges with the rollout of the operations initiative, which impacted food consistency and guest experience, leading to a rollback of certain changes [54][55] Question: Menu Innovation and Future Offerings - Management expressed confidence in upcoming menu innovations and the return of popular items, emphasizing a focus on guest feedback and maintaining quality [66][75]

Core Concept - 1 Hotels is launching Mission Membership, a purpose-driven loyalty program that emphasizes personalization and environmental impact rather than traditional points-based rewards [1][2][5] Program Structure - Mission Membership focuses on a human-centered approach, offering curated perks and exclusive opportunities based on member engagement rather than transactional metrics [2][5] - Members can choose where their contributions go, with 1% of qualifying spend donated to environmental nonprofits like NRDC, Oceanic Global, or Green Our Planet [3] Environmental Commitment - For each new member, 1 Hotels will plant a tree through its partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, aiming to support the growth of 100,000 trees in California [3] - The program is designed to create a lasting impact, allowing members to engage in meaningful environmental contributions [3][5] Exclusive Perks - Members will receive unique benefits from sustainability-focused brands, including discounts on wellness services and vehicle purchases from Audi [4][5] - Exclusive experiences are offered at various locations, such as culinary bike rides and private mixology classes, enhancing the guest experience [6] Technology Integration - A significant investment in technology ensures a hyper-personalized experience for members, allowing them to customize their stays and track their impact [8] - The 1 Hotels App facilitates mobile check-in, room controls, and access to wellness content, streamlining guest engagement [8] Brand Expansion - 1 Hotels is expanding its portfolio with new properties in various global locations, including Cabo San Lucas, Paris, and Tokyo, while continuing to develop its Mission Membership program [9][10]

Core Insights - Subway has relaunched its Sub Club loyalty program, which had been inactive since 2005, aiming to attract long-time customers through nostalgia [1][2][4] - The new program offers a free footlong sandwich after purchasing three footlongs or six 6-inch subs, representing a 25% reward rate for regular customers [3][4] - The relaunch is part of a broader strategy to enhance customer retention and appeal to value-driven diners amid increasing price sensitivity in the fast-food sector [4][7] Company Strategy - The new Sub Club program is designed for the digital age, eliminating paper cards to prevent counterfeiting and allowing automatic tracking of purchases through the Subway app, website, or in-store [5] - Current members of Subway's MVP Rewards program will be automatically transitioned to the new Sub Club, simplifying the process for existing customers [5] - Additional loyalty perks include earning points that can be converted into "Subway Cash" for discounts, a free birthday cookie, and exclusive promotional access [6] Market Context - Subway's relaunch comes after the closure of 631 U.S. locations in 2024, marking the eighth consecutive year of net closures, indicating challenges in the budget lunch segment [2] - The fast-food industry is witnessing a trend where customers are increasingly price-sensitive, prompting several major chains to enhance their loyalty programs and deals [7]

Summary of Alaska Air Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) - **Event**: 2025 Conference on December 04, 2025 Key Industry Insights - **Government Shutdown Impact**: The company experienced a temporary decline in bookings and revenue due to flight cancellations related to the government shutdown, but bookings have since recovered and are performing better than 95% of the days observed this year [6][8][9] - **IT Outages**: Recent IT outages were not related to the merger with Hawaiian Airlines but were isolated incidents. The company is implementing changes to improve system resilience and expects to stabilize operations quickly [14][15][16] - **Refinery Fire**: The company has returned to pre-fire fuel prices, with refining margins stabilizing. Future plans include securing consistent fuel supply to mitigate volatility in pricing [17][18][19] Financial Performance - **First Quarter Bookings**: As of now, bookings for January are approximately 30% complete, aligning with expectations. The company does not anticipate lingering impacts from the government shutdown into the first quarter [13] - **Loyalty Program Success**: The launch of the new loyalty platform, Atmos, and a premium co-brand credit card has exceeded initial expectations, with significant early demand [22][24][25] - **Hawaiian Assets Performance**: The Hawaiian segment is performing better than anticipated, nearing break-even rather than the expected $200 million loss. The brand loyalty has proven strong, particularly in key markets [29][30][31] Cost Management and Synergies - **Cost Synergies from Merger**: The company targets $200 million in cost synergies from the merger, focusing on overhead and supply chain efficiencies. Headcount optimization is ongoing post-merger [38][39][40] - **Unit Cost Inflation**: The company expects low single-digit unit cost inflation due to capacity adjustments and cost synergies, with a focus on maintaining operational efficiency [33][35] Future Outlook - **2027 EPS Target**: The company remains committed to the $10 EPS target for 2027, citing clear synergies and initiatives that are on track despite macroeconomic challenges. The management believes there are additional profit opportunities to explore [63][65][66] - **International Expansion**: Excitement surrounds the upcoming international routes from Seattle, with strong community interest and demand anticipated [58][59] Additional Considerations - **Operational Excellence**: The focus will shift back to operational excellence, with the aim of enhancing customer experience and loyalty [57] - **Market Optimization**: The company is actively optimizing its network and operations, particularly in the cargo segment, to ensure long-term profitability [55][56] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Alaska Air Group conference call, highlighting the company's recovery from recent challenges, ongoing initiatives, and future growth strategies.

Core Insights - Portillo's is launching a "Season of Surprises" holiday promotion for its loyalty program, Portillo's Perks, featuring free menu items, discounts, and exclusive offers throughout December [1][2] Promotions and Offers - The promotion begins with a free small Candy Cane shake with a minimum $5 purchase available until December 7, with additional deals to follow [2] - New members of Portillo's Perks can receive a free large French fry with their first order of $5 or more [3][4] Company Overview - Portillo's has expanded from a small hot dog trailer in Chicago to over 100 restaurants across 11 states, offering a unique menu that includes Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, and more [5] - The company operates a model focused on providing an experience that includes dine-in, drive-thru, takeout, and delivery options [5] Loyalty Program - Portillo's Perks allows guests to earn and redeem rewards, with exclusive perks and surprise offers available through the program [6]

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) is experiencing rapid growth in its digital commerce ecosystem, with significant increases in platform usage and integration across the guest journey [1][4] - The company achieved its strongest digital performance in Q3 2025, with e-commerce visits and conversion rates rising at double-digit levels, and nearly 90% of pre-cruise purchases made through digital channels [1][8] Digital Infrastructure and Engagement - The Royal Caribbean app has evolved from a tool to reduce first-day bottlenecks to a central platform for pre-sailing purchases, enhancing revenue visibility and onboard operations [2][4] - Management noted that the app is now the fastest-growing driver of engagement and conversion, highlighting its commercial importance [2] Technology Investments - Royal Caribbean's technology investments include enhancements to digital channels and AI capabilities, which improve forecasting, customer engagement, and operational efficiency [3] - The upcoming rollout of Points Choice in early 2026 aims to deepen cross-brand loyalty and expand ecosystem participation [3] Revenue Drivers - The company is benefiting from growth in key revenue areas such as private destinations, new ships, and diversified itineraries, leading to a more data-rich revenue base [4] - Record levels of pre-cruise monetization and higher conversion rates suggest a strengthening commercial backdrop that could enhance onboard revenue performance [4] Competitive Landscape - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) is also advancing its digital engagement strategy, reporting record pre-cruise sales but lacking comparable digital penetration metrics [6] - Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) emphasizes early revenue capture and has reported record customer deposits, but similarly does not disclose a digital pre-cruise booking ratio [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - RCL shares have gained 6% over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 1.1% [9] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14.31, below the industry average of 15.68 [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RCL's earnings implies year-over-year growth of 32.5% for 2025 and 14.5% for 2026 [14]

Core Insights - Vivid Seats Inc. has announced a strategic collaboration with United Airlines to allow MileagePlus members to earn miles on live event ticket purchases through Vivid Seats [2][4] Group 1: Collaboration Details - United MileagePlus members can earn two miles per dollar spent on Vivid Seats purchases exclusively at united.vividseats.com [3] - Eligible United MileagePlus Chase Cardmembers can earn additional miles, with United Explorer Cardmembers earning three miles per dollar and United Quest Cardmembers earning four miles per dollar spent [3] - United Club and United Club Business Cardmembers will earn five miles per dollar spent [3] Group 2: Strategic Importance - The partnership aims to leverage United Airlines' extensive loyalty program, which has over 130 million members, to reach new audiences [4] - Vivid Seats will connect customers to personalized content through United's Kinective Media, enhancing the travel experience with integrated media [4] Group 3: Company Overview - Vivid Seats, founded in 2001, is a leading online ticket marketplace focused on connecting fans to live events [6][7] - The company offers a wide selection of events and tickets in North America and has been recognized for its customer service [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - EZCORP achieved record revenue of $1.3 billion for fiscal 2025, up 12% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $191.2 million, up 26% [4] - EBITDA margin expanded to 14.7% from 13%, and net income surged 30% to $110.7 million [4][6] - Cash position increased to $469.5 million from $170.5 million in fiscal 2024, reflecting a $300 million senior notes offering [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pawn loan (PLO) of $303.9 million increased 11%, with a same-store basis growth of 9%, driven by higher average loan sizes [12] - Merchandise sales of $176 million increased 9%, with same-store sales up 7%, and merchandise margin remained steady at 35% [12] - In the U.S. pawn segment, total revenues increased 13% to $238.9 million, with PLO growth of 9% on both total and same-store basis [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Latin America, fourth quarter revenues were $96.9 million, up 17%, with PLO up 17% to $70.1 million [16] - Jewelry composition in PLO increased by 450 basis points to 41%, indicating a shift towards higher-value items [16] - The U.S. remains the largest market with 247 stores in Texas, followed by Florida with 95 stores [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its store base and enhancing digital transformation to improve customer engagement [4][10] - Strategic initiatives include a targeted incentive compensation campaign and a robust loyalty program, with EZ Plus Rewards membership up 26% to 6.9 million members [9][10] - The M&A pipeline remains active, with multiple opportunities being evaluated for strategic integration and return on invested capital [20][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business model, stating that the company can adapt quickly to changes in gold prices [26][27] - The company anticipates continued robust revenue growth, particularly outside of scrap sales, despite potential economic pressures [44] - Management highlighted the importance of operational excellence and customer-centric initiatives in driving future growth [8][21] Other Important Information - The company has transformed its earnings profile significantly since fiscal 2021, with net income increasing from $21 million to $110 million [17] - Digital initiatives have led to a 42% year-over-year growth in online payments in the U.S., demonstrating strong customer adoption of digital platforms [10][63] - The company is committed to improving inventory efficiency and scaling operational best practices across all geographies [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about gold prices and their impact on business - Management acknowledged that while rising gold prices are beneficial, the core business remains strong regardless of gold price fluctuations [26][27] Question: Future performance and growth potential in Latin America - Management indicated that there is still significant growth potential in Latin America, particularly in jewelry lending and digital adoption [30][33] Question: Insights on the M&A pipeline and future acquisitions - Management confirmed a robust M&A pipeline with a disciplined approach to acquisitions, focusing primarily on existing markets [35][36] Question: Impact of U.S. consumer behavior on store performance - Management noted strong demand for loan products, indicating that consumer pressure remains high, but specific impacts from external factors like government shutdowns are unclear [74] Question: Changes observed from digital initiatives - Management reported significant growth in online loan payments and customer engagement due to digital initiatives, enhancing store efficiency [62][64]

Core Insights - WestJet has launched a new hotel booking platform, WestJet Hotels, in partnership with Rocket Travel by Agoda, allowing customers to book hotels globally and earn WestJet Rewards points [1][2][4] Group 1: Partnership and Platform Features - The collaboration aims to enhance the customer experience by integrating hotel bookings with flight services, thereby encouraging loyalty through the WestJet Rewards program [2][4] - Rocket Travel by Agoda will manage the entire customer journey, from search and booking to customer service, providing access to a vast inventory of over 500,000 global hotel properties [2][4] Group 2: Customer Benefits and Rewards - Travelers booking hotels through the WestJet Hotels platform will earn at least two WestJet points per dollar spent, with additional benefits for top-tier members [4] - The initiative is part of WestJet's strategy to enhance its rewards program and provide a more rewarding loyalty experience, focusing on key travel corridors across North America, Europe, and Asia [3][4]