Economic Landscape - Economic uncertainty and changing consumer preferences are causing significant disruptions in the food industry, affecting companies like Denny's and Kraft [1] - A combination of economic factors, including pressure on low-income consumers and health movements, is impacting these companies [2] Company Developments - Denny's announced a $620 million deal to go private with TriArtisan Capital Partners and others, following a 2.9% decline in same-store sales for the third consecutive quarter [3] - Yum! Brands is exploring strategic options for its Pizza Hut brand, which has experienced eight consecutive quarters of sales declines, down 1% [4][5] - Kraft's stock saw a slight increase of 0.2% before the market opened on Friday [5] M&A Activity - The private equity sector is actively seeking undervalued companies in the restaurant space for potential turnaround opportunities [4] - Papa John's faced a setback as Apollo Global Management withdrew its offer to buy the chain at a premium, coinciding with a 2.7% sales decline in North America [6] Strategic Moves - Starbucks sold a majority stake in its China business to Boyu Capital, valuing the segment at $4 billion, aiming to refocus on improving its U.S. operations [7]