Manila's expansive food scene is hard to describe, but has flourished over the last decade thanks to food champions like the late Margarita Flores and places that rank on Asia's 50 best [music] restaurant lists. But here's the challenge. Metro Manila is big, and many great places are tucked away [music] in quiet alleys or unassuming buildings.Finding the top spots aren't easy, so we've selected five to give you a head start. First, it's the new kid on the block, Makai. Japanese comfort with serious polish.T ...

Group 1: Economic Data and Market Trends - The Labor Department's nonfarm payroll report is expected on Tuesday, with a strong jobs report potentially questioning the need for more rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, while weaker figures could support continued easing [3] - Wall Street has been largely unaware of macroeconomic data due to a lengthy government shutdown, making upcoming reports critical for market direction [3][2] Group 2: Company Earnings Reports - Jabil, a major manufacturer for data centers, is set to report earnings on Wednesday, which could influence the performance of AI stocks [4] - General Mills will also report on Wednesday, with recent struggles in food stocks attributed to the popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs and a shift towards healthier eating [4] - On Thursday, Darden, Cintas, Nike, and FedEx will report earnings, with Darden's Olive Garden chain being less affected by rising beef prices, and FedEx expected to perform well due to ongoing e-commerce growth [5] - Friday will see earnings from Carnival, Conagra, and Paychex, providing insights into discretionary spending, home cooking trends, and the health of small and medium-sized businesses [6]

Core Insights - The fast-food burger industry is experiencing significant closures as chains reassess their restaurant locations due to over-expansion and declining sales [2][3][4]. Company Actions - Hardee's closed 8 locations across North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Pennsylvania between August and December 2025 [3]. - Wendy's plans to close 300 locations in the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026, attributing this to decreased store traffic and sales [3]. - Burger King closed four U.S. locations in 2025, following the closure of six locations in 2024 [5][6]. - Whataburger is closing eight restaurant locations in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee as part of its operational review [7][9]. Franchise Issues - Consolidated Burger Holdings LLC, a Burger King franchisee, filed for Chapter 11 protection in April 2025, having been involved in a legal dispute with Burger King since 2019 [4].

Group 1: Market Overview - Momentum in stocks can be unpredictable, with strong upward trends potentially leading to significant declines when momentum fades [1] - The analysis focuses on five stocks with market capitalizations of at least $2 billion and low Benzinga Edge Momentum Scores [1] Group 2: Kraft Heinz Co. - Kraft Heinz has a Benzinga Edge Momentum Score of 19.75, indicating weak momentum, growth, and quality scores [3] - The company faces challenges due to changing consumer preferences towards unprocessed ingredients, impacting its business model [4] - Despite beating EPS estimates, Kraft Heinz missed revenue expectations for the eighth time in ten quarters, with ongoing debt pressure from its 2015 acquisition [5] - Technical indicators show that the stock is struggling against the 50-day simple moving average (SMA), suggesting a continued downtrend [7][8] Group 3: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Molson Coors has a Benzinga Edge Momentum Score of 18.43, with the stock down over 17% year-to-date [9] - The company is experiencing declining beer sales as younger consumers shift to non-alcoholic beverages, leading to missed revenue estimates in Q3 2025 [11] - The stock is facing resistance at the 50-day SMA, with technical indicators suggesting stalled upward momentum [11] Group 4: Cava Group Inc. - Cava Group has a Benzinga Edge Momentum Score of 7.40, despite a strong IPO and initial revenue growth [13] - The company is facing same-store sales slowdowns and margin pressures from tariffs and food costs, leading to missed EPS and sales projections [15] - Technical indicators show weakening momentum, with the 50-day SMA acting as a significant resistance level [15] Group 5: DuPont de Nemours Inc. - DuPont has a Benzinga Edge Momentum Score of 7.40, with a nearly 30% year-to-date gain [16] - The stock is under pressure from ongoing litigation related to PFAS chemicals, limiting its upside potential [16] - Technical analysis indicates a potential stall in upward momentum, with signs of a double top formation and fading MACD [18] Group 6: TriNet Group Inc. - TriNet Group remains a $2.8 billion company with annual sales exceeding $5 billion, but faces challenges from economic pressures on small and midsize businesses [19] - The company is competing with AI technologies that threaten its traditional service offerings, leading to weak momentum in its stock [21] - The stock is struggling against the 50-day SMA, with technical indicators suggesting a low likelihood of breaking above this resistance [21]

Core Insights - McDonald's is set to permanently close its Ocean City restaurant on December 14, 2025, amid a trend of closures among major fast-food chains due to rising costs and changing consumer habits [2][11] - The closure has sparked controversy among staff, particularly regarding the short notice given to employees [5][6] Company-Specific Summary - The Ocean City location has served the community for 47 years, and all employees are being offered positions at nearby McDonald's locations until January 15, 2026 [3][4] - Criticism has arisen from staff about the inadequate notice of only four days before the closure, especially given the timing just before Christmas [6][5] - The building housing the Ocean City McDonald's, constructed in 1968, is reportedly in need of extensive renovations that are not financially viable [7][15] Industry Context - McDonald's is not alone in facing challenges; other fast-food chains are also closing locations due to slower customer traffic, sales declines, and rising food prices [11][16] - Fast-food prices have increased significantly, with McDonald's prices alone rising by 100% since 2014, contributing to a 1% drop in food service traffic for the quarter ending June 2025 [12][11] - To address these challenges, McDonald's has expanded value offerings and launched initiatives aimed at modernization and efficiency, including the Restaurant Experience Team [13][14] - Despite these efforts, the company remains cautious about consumer health and market pressures extending into 2026 [16]

Industry Problem & Impact - Plastic has become an invisible ingredient in the food chain, with restaurants unknowingly serving and consumers unknowingly eating it [1] - Food interacts with plastic dozens of times before reaching the plate, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem [2] - Heat, fat, acid, and time create a "perfect storm" for chemical and plastic migration from containers into food [5] - Harmful chemicals like BPA, BPS, BPF, PTFE (PAS forever chemicals), and phthalates are leaching into food from various plastic kitchenware [3][6][8] Solutions & Call to Action - The industry needs radical transparency regarding plastics: understanding how they work and where they come from [2] - Shift demand to create opportunities for healthy and sustainable alternative solutions [1] - Chefs can be part of breaking the cycle by shifting demand and normalizing safer solutions [1][14] - Independent restaurants (60% of restaurants in America) don't need to wait for corporations to make a change; they can coalesce and find safer solutions [14] - Advocate for policy changes to promote safer solutions [14] Emphasis on Health & Sustainability - True sustainability must include human health; if it harms us, it is not sustainable [10][11] - The industry needs to re-evaluate practices and find new solutions, even if it means building them together [12] - It's hypocritical to buy organic produce and then cook it on plastic-coated pans that shed toxins [13] Role of Women - Women in the industry are poised to pioneer the solution, leading with care and intention [15][16]

Core Insights - Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY) is implementing a focused remodel strategy as part of its Back to Basics plan, which has resulted in a 700-basis-point positive impact on performance in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 [1][10] Group 1: Remodel Strategy - The company has recognized past overinvestment in remodels that did not enhance guest experience, leading to ineffective capital spending [2] - Recent consumer insights have guided the company to focus on remodel elements that directly influence guest experience, aiming for improved outcomes and reduced ineffective spending [2] - Currently, three remodels are under construction, with plans to open six additional remodeled locations in the next five months, indicating an accelerated execution of the remodel strategy [3] Group 2: Strategic Importance - The remodel program is a key strategic lever for the company, with a refined investment approach and a faster rollout timetable, contributing to the Back to Basics strategy [4] - Management views the remodels as essential for strengthening operations and enhancing guest experience, positioning the brand for better performance in the future [4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR) and Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) are also focusing on remodel and reimage programs to enhance unit performance and long-term growth [5] - QSR is modernizing the Burger King system, reporting solid post-remodel uplifts and average unit volumes nearing $2 million, with a significant portion of remodels outperforming the broader system [6] - Brinker is implementing a targeted refresh strategy for Chili's and Maggiano's, with new prototypes and foundational approaches to stabilize traffic [7] Group 4: Financial Performance - Dave & Buster's shares have declined 14.4% over the past three months, compared to a 1.4% decline in the industry [8] - The stock trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.32, significantly below the industry average of 3.23, indicating potential undervaluation [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) suggests an 83% year-over-year decline, with no changes in EPS estimates over the past 30 days [13]

Core Insights - Chipotle is experiencing positive consumer response to its "build your own" offering, which is aimed at increasing awareness and participation in customizable meal options [1] - The company sees an opportunity in group dining occasions and aims to compete with family meal packs, promoting value for consumers who may be food prepping for the week [2] - There is concern regarding consumer price sensitivity, as some customers perceive Chipotle's pricing as too high, prompting the company to consider more approachable pricing strategies [3] Menu Innovation - Chipotle plans to enhance menu innovation in the upcoming year, focusing on protein offerings to align with current consumer trends [4] - The company is introducing accessible menu options, including high-protein bowls and double protein bowls, to cater to diverse dietary preferences [5] - Any new menu items will undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure operational feasibility and maintain throughput, which is essential to Chipotle's value proposition [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Yum China Holdings Inc. has announced an expanded share repurchase program and a long-term capital return strategy, which has positively impacted its stock price [1]. Share Repurchase Program - The company has entered into share repurchase agreements in the U.S. and Hong Kong, covering approximately $460 million in buybacks during the first half of 2026 [1][2]. - The repurchases will commence on January 12, 2026, with about $350 million falling under the Rule 10b5-1 in the U.S. [1]. Capital Return Strategy - Yum China plans to return $1.5 billion to shareholders in 2026 through dividends and buybacks, representing roughly 9% of its market value as of December 11, 2025 [3]. - The company aims to return approximately $4.5 billion to shareholders from 2024 through 2026, with a commitment to return about 100% of annual free cash flow after subsidiary dividend payments starting in 2027 [4]. Future Returns - The company expects average annual returns of approximately $900 million to over $1 billion in 2027 and 2028, with expectations to exceed $1 billion by 2028 [5]. Authorization Expansion - Yum China's board has increased the share repurchase authorization by $1 billion, bringing the total authorization to about $5.4 billion [6]. - From 2017 through December 11, 2025, the company repurchased nearly 97.7 million shares for a total of about $4.2 billion, leaving approximately $1.2 billion available for future repurchases [6]. Stock Performance - Yum China Holdings shares rose by 1.91% to $48.53 at the time of publication [7].

Core Insights - Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened its 4,000th restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas, marking a significant milestone in its growth strategy [1][5] - The company plans to continue its expansion, with projections to open between 315 to 345 new restaurants in 2025 and 350 to 370 in 2026, including international locations [5][6] Company Growth - Since CEO Scott Boatwright joined in 2017, Chipotle has increased its restaurant count from over 2,300 to 4,000, representing a 70% growth in eight years [5][8] - The company is now over halfway to its long-term goal of operating 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada [8] New Restaurant Features - The new Manhattan location includes a Chipotlane, allowing for drive-thru pick-up of digital orders, and features a High-Efficiency Equipment Package designed to streamline operations [4][5] - The equipment package includes advanced cooking tools that enhance efficiency and maintain culinary standards [4] International Expansion - Chipotle currently operates over 100 restaurants outside the U.S., with plans to open in Mexico, South Korea, and Singapore in the coming years [6][9] - The first Chipotlane outside North America opened in Kuwait, showcasing the company's international growth strategy [6] Commitment to Quality - Chipotle emphasizes its commitment to serving responsibly sourced, real food without artificial ingredients, aligning with its mission to cultivate a better world [7][9]