Core Insights - Roark Capital is considering the sale of bakery chain Nothing Bundt Cakes, with a potential valuation exceeding $2 billion [1] - The sale process is expected to begin in early 2026, with North Point and Bank of America engaged as advisers [1] - Nothing Bundt Cakes has expanded from 390 locations at the time of Roark's acquisition in 2021 to 700 outlets across over 40 US states and Canada [2] Financial Performance - The business is projected to generate $120 million in EBITDA by 2026 [3] - Roark Capital manages assets totaling $41 billion and has been active in the franchised restaurant sector, including notable acquisitions like Dave's Hot Chicken for $1 billion in 2025 and Subway in 2024 [3] Company Background - Nothing Bundt Cakes was established in 1997 and specializes in hand-crafted bundt cakes available in various flavors and sizes [2] - Roark Capital acquired Nothing Bundt Cakes in 2021 from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners [2] Market Activity - Roark Capital is also exploring a potential IPO for Inspire Brands, which owns several fast-food chains including Dunkin', Arby's, and Jimmy John's [4]

Craving fried chicken in New York City, but don't know where to go. Head to Times Square. Here you'll find flagship locations for raising Cane's Popeyes and Jollibee.Fried chicken chains have become full blown fandoms with followers who swear by each fast food, chicken's taste and quality. But one chain is missing. Kentucky Fried Chicken.Where is it. The colonel practically invented the idea of a fried chicken chain way back in 1930. What does its absence in a high foot traffic area like Times Square say ab ...

Core Insights - Zambrero has appointed Daryl McCormack as its new CEO, effective immediately, to drive growth and expansion of the fast-casual chain [1][2] - The company currently operates 339 restaurants across multiple countries and aims to open 400 outlets by early 2026, with a long-term goal of reaching 500 [1] - McCormack brings extensive experience in franchise and corporate leadership, having previously served as CEO of Blockbuster and Video Ezy [2][3] Company Growth Strategy - Zambrero plans to ramp up its growth model under McCormack's leadership, focusing on expanding its presence in various markets [1][2] - The company launched a franchise recruitment drive in the UK in July 2025, with a target of opening 100 restaurants by 2030 [4] Leadership Background - Daryl McCormack has a strong background in the franchise sector, having overseen more than 800 franchise locations in his previous roles [3] - His long-term involvement with Zambrero, including serving as a development agent and multi-unit franchise partner, provides him with unique insights into the brand [3][4] Vision and Mission - Zambrero's founder, Sam Prince, emphasized the importance of McCormack's experience in aligning with the company's vision and mission, which focuses on delivering results and building a strong culture [4]

Core Insights - Taco Bell is focusing on beverages with its new Live Más Café concept, aiming to generate a $5 billion drink business by 2030 [3][21] - The chain has already sold over 600 million beverages this year, marking a 16% increase from the previous year [4][20] - The Live Más Café format is integrated within existing Taco Bell locations, allowing customers to order drinks at kiosks and watch the preparation [2][5] Company Strategy - Taco Bell plans to expand the Live Más Café to 30 locations by the end of the year, targeting Southern California, Dallas, and Houston [1][3] - The beverage menu includes churro chillers, specialty coffees, refrescas, and seasonal favorites, designed to appeal to younger consumers [6][7] - The chain is leveraging the beverage trend to attract Generation Z and millennials, who are more inclined to experiment with food and drink options [14][15] Sales Performance - The Irvine location is selling over 900 drinks per day, with more than a third of orders including a Live Más Café item [9][10] - The Chula Vista location has exceeded sales forecasts, selling over 750 beverages daily, with a quarter of transactions including a Live Más Café beverage [10][11] - Taco Bell's same-store sales grew by 4% in the second quarter, outperforming many fast-food competitors [21][20] Market Trends - The beverage market among the top 500 chains has grown by over 9% in the past year, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards innovative drink options [13][14] - Competitors like Shake Shack and Chick-fil-A are also focusing on beverage innovations, highlighting a broader industry trend [12][11] - Younger consumers are driving the trend towards customization and premium beverage offerings, which Taco Bell aims to capitalize on [15][16]

Core Insights - Fast food chain Steak 'n Shake has launched a limited-edition "Bitcoin Steakburger" to celebrate its acceptance of Bitcoin payments for five months [1] - The company has reported significant savings in processing fees and increased sales attributed to Bitcoin acceptance [2][3] Group 1: Bitcoin Acceptance and Financial Impact - Steak 'n Shake began accepting Bitcoin payments on the Lightning Network in May, resulting in approximately 50% savings in processing fees [2] - The company reported a 10.7% increase in same-store sales in Q2 and a 15% increase in Q3, attributing these gains to Bitcoin payments [3] Group 2: Community Engagement and Challenges - The acceptance of Bitcoin has garnered support from influential figures like Jack Dorsey, who made a Bitcoin purchase at Steak 'n Shake [4] - The company faced backlash from the Bitcoin community when it considered expanding cryptocurrency payment options to Ethereum, leading to a poll that was later suspended [5][6]

Core Insights - Strong earnings reports from General Motors and Coca-Cola indicate resilience in consumer spending despite tariff concerns [2][8][35] - General Motors raised its full-year outlook after exceeding profit forecasts, while Coca-Cola also beat analyst estimates [6][9][35] - The impact of tariffs on profits remains significant, with GM estimating a $4 billion hit this year, yet the company is adapting through cost discipline and strategic pricing [35][40][52] Group 1: General Motors - General Motors reported earnings that surpassed analyst expectations, with shares opening nearly 10% higher [6][9] - The company raised its full-year guidance, reflecting strong sales and cost management despite a slight revenue miss [6][35] - GM's CFO noted that tariffs are still a concern, projecting a $4 billion impact on profits, but expressed optimism about future performance [35][40][52] Group 2: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola experienced weak volume in the U.S. but still managed to beat profit estimates, with shares opening 3% higher [3][7] - The company maintained its full-year sales outlook despite the challenges posed by price increases [3][7] Group 3: Market Reactions - Major indexes opened flat despite strong earnings reports, indicating mixed investor sentiment [4][5] - The positive earnings from GM and Coca-Cola are contributing to a bullish narrative in the market, suggesting resilience in the economy [12][13] Group 4: Consumer Behavior - High-income consumers are driving spending, with many trading down to value options as inflation concerns grow [21][22] - Companies are adapting to consumer preferences, with Coca-Cola shifting towards healthier options and GM focusing on high-demand vehicle segments [19][22] Group 5: Future Outlook - GM is restructuring its EV business in response to slower-than-expected demand, indicating a more cautious approach moving forward [56][57] - The company is optimistic about stabilizing tariff impacts and improving margins through strategic adjustments [42][52]

Company Overview - Seun Sodipo has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Plaid, a fintech startup that connects financial institutions, succeeding Eric Hart [1][3] - Sodipo has a strong background in guiding high-growth businesses, having previously served as CFO at Glossier and held key roles at Stripe, Centerview Partners, Helios Investment Partners, and Insignia Capital Group [3] Recent Developments - In April, Plaid completed a $575 million funding round led by Franklin Templeton, valuing the company at approximately $6.1 billion, despite a drop from its peak valuation of $13.4 billion in 2021 [4][5] - The funding round included a tender offer, allowing investors to purchase existing shares and providing liquidity to Plaid employees, addressing tax obligations tied to expiring stock units [4] Strategic Focus - Plaid aims to expand beyond core data infrastructure into a broader suite of intelligence services, including products in identity, payments, credit, and fraud [5] - Sodipo's priorities as CFO include driving sustainable, long-term growth, investing in areas of strong customer demand, and enhancing data and analytics capabilities [7] - The company is positioned to support the next era of digital finance, with over half of Americans with bank accounts having used Plaid to connect to apps or services [7]

A major Amazon Web Services outage disrupted much of the internet early Monday, including apps such as Snap, Coinbase, Roblox and McDonald's. ...

Which billionaires got their start at fast food chains? https://t.co/lHSLmSkLMf ...

Which billionaires got their start at fast food chains? https://t.co/lHSLmSkLMfhttps://t.co/lHSLmSkLMf ...