This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Name:  Anand Varadarajan New title: Chief technology officer, Starbucks Previous title: Vice president, worldwide grocery technology and supply chain, Amazon Starbucks is hiring Anand Varadarajan to replace outgoing Chief Technology Officer Deb Hall Lefevre, CEO Brian Niccol announced Friday. Varadarajan will start with the coffee chain on Jan. 19. Lefevre’s d ...

Core Viewpoint - The article evaluates the SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ETF (FEZ) as a viable investment option at its current market price, emphasizing the importance of quality investment and diversification strategies. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company focuses on investing in quality assets and diversifying its portfolio while adding to positions at opportune times for long-term growth [1]. - The investment approach includes a mix of broad market ETFs, sector-specific funds, and alternative investments such as Bitcoin and precious metals [1]. Group 2: Portfolio Composition - The portfolio includes various ETFs and stocks, such as DIA, VOO, QQQM, and sector-specific funds like XLE and IXC, indicating a well-rounded investment strategy [1]. - The company also invests in municipal bonds from North Carolina, showcasing a preference for stable income sources [1]. Group 3: Income Generation - The CEF/ETF Income Laboratory aims to target safe and reliable yields of approximately 8%, utilizing high-yield opportunities in the CEF and ETF space [1]. - The majority of holdings in this strategy are monthly-payers, which facilitates faster compounding and steady income streams for investors [1].

Core Viewpoint - Luckin Coffee is experiencing significant growth and is expanding internationally, positioning itself to compete with major players like Starbucks, with a notable increase in share price and business momentum since overcoming a previous scandal [1][2]. Group 1: Business Performance - Luckin Coffee's net revenue surged by 50.2% year over year to $2.14 billion, driven by the opening of 3,008 new stores, primarily in China [6]. - Same-store sales increased by 14.4%, outperforming Starbucks, which reported only 1% growth in its latest financial report [6]. Group 2: International Expansion - The company aims to replicate its success in China by targeting culturally similar Asian markets first, such as Singapore and Malaysia, before entering the U.S. market [8]. - Luckin has opened five locations in New York City, strategically placed in high-traffic areas to enhance brand visibility [9]. - The presence of a large number of Chinese students abroad may facilitate brand recognition and acceptance in new markets [10]. Group 3: Financial Strategy and Valuation - Luckin Coffee's stock is trading at a low valuation, with a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 15, compared to Starbucks at 36 and the S&P 500 average of 22 [12]. - The company is considering acquisitions, such as bidding for Blue Bottle Coffee, to strengthen its position in the premium coffee segment [11]. - Plans to relist in the U.S. could improve the company's valuation and liquidity, potentially doubling the share price in the coming years [13].

创作这个段子的朋友一定没想过当今外卖的 AI 含量有多高——作为当下人工智能（障） 最普及的应用场景，从你打开 App 的那一刻起，一场由 AI 导演 的《舌尖上的幻觉》就已开机。 有个互联网段子：三大平台年初说要 all in ai，结果现在 all in 外卖。为啥呢？因为 waimai 包含两个 ai。 01.制造一桌假外卖 一日两餐顿顿外卖的诸位一定见过这样的门头照：大气明亮的招牌，柔和的光线，门口大排长龙，十分热闹。 这是 AI 时代的特产，用上这些华丽的 AI 门头照，假装自己是一家拥有超高人气的堂食大店。 而其实它们真实的样子是这样的： 还有这样的： 搞外卖，那可是货真价实的 all in AI。 AI 大规模生成门头照这事前段时间被央视曝光了，各个平台就开始治理，下架掉了一大堆这种同一个模版里跑出来的 AI 图。 但其实换一个提示词就可以卷土重来，流水线上的 AI 图封掉之后，剩下的更隐蔽，让人傻傻分不清，下面这俩就是我打开软件随手截的。 不光是门头图，AI 还可以轻轻松松生成店内环境图，整齐的原木桌椅泛着温润的光，复古吊灯很有现代感。看图片很像样子，其实还是个小作坊，连堂 食位置都没有。 很 ...

Core Viewpoint - Domino's Pizza, Inc. is viewed positively due to its share buyback activity and potential for value in the current market environment [1][2] Group 1: Share Buyback and Stock Performance - The company has reduced its share count by 38.2% since the end of 2015, indicating a significant buyback strategy [1] - Despite being a strong performer from 2010 to 2021, the stock has experienced volatility over the past five years [1] Group 2: Market Reaction and Financial Performance - Following the recent earnings report, the market initially reacted positively, but the stock experienced fluctuations before closing lower by less than 1% [2] - The company reported a strong quarter, which contributed to a subsequent rally in the stock price [2]

新华社西宁12月21日电（记者解统强、李琳海）麦当劳青海首店12月21日在青海省西宁市海湖新区开 业。至此，我国所有省级行政区都开设了麦当劳门店。 "我们非常高兴在青海开设了首家麦当劳餐厅。未来，我们将继续携手特许经营伙伴，稳步拓展在青海 的业务布局。"麦当劳中国首席执行官张家茵表示，他们对于未来在青海的发展充满了信心，"除了此次 推出的'得来速'汽车餐厅外，我们还会在青海市场开设更多经典模式的麦当劳餐厅。" 据了解，12月20日，麦当劳宣布以"三店齐开"形式入驻宁夏回族自治区，同步开业的三家餐厅覆盖银川 的核心商圈，可满足家庭、年轻人与商务客群的多元化用餐需求。 数据显示，截至2025年11月，麦当劳餐厅已深入全国280余个地级市，数量超7500家，员工人数超过20 万，2024年服务顾客超过13亿人次。 【纠错】 【责任编辑:王頔】 据了解，麦当劳青海首店以中国西北区域面积最大的独栋"得来速"餐厅的形式入驻。顾客驾车到餐厅， 无需下车即可完成点餐、付款、取餐。门店总建筑面积超700平方米，规划餐位超过200个，门店以标准 化服务与特色空间设计，满足市民多样化就餐需求。 青海省商务厅厅长刘汝鹏表示，近年来青 ...

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is one of the Stocks That Could Mint Millionaires in 2026. Wingstop (WING): RBC Highlights Growth, Long US Runway On December 9, RBC Capital analyst Logan Reich raised the price target on Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) stock to $350 from $300 and kept an Outperform rating on the shares. In an investor note, the analyst noted that the company’s best-in-class franchisee ROIC should support double-digit unit growth while adding that Wingstop had a long runway in the US and was still ...

Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) is one of the Stocks That Could Mint Millionaires in 2026. Dutch Bros (BROS): KeyBanc Highlights Compelling Growth Story A person with a cell phone who is looking for new stocks On December 17, KeyBanc analyst Christopher Carril initiated coverage of Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) stock with an Overweight rating and $77 price target. In an investor note, the analyst noted that the company represented one of the most compelling growth stories, driven by mid-teens unit growth, and ...

Inflation and Economic Indicators - The CPI figures for November showed a rise of 2.7%, lower than the expected 3.1% increase, indicating a positive surprise in inflation data [1] - Shelter prices increased by 0.2% from September to November, slower than the 0.3% average increase in 2025 [2] Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) - Darden reported $3.1 billion in revenue and $2.08 in adjusted earnings per share, beating revenue estimates but missing earnings estimates [8] - BTIG maintained a Buy rating with a price target of $225, while Stephens cut its price target from $215 to $205, citing weaker trends at Olive Garden [8] - The CFO noted that high beef prices were impacting margins, but stable sales at LongHorn Steakhouse were highlighted [8] Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) - Micron reported $13.64 billion in revenue and $4.78 in adjusted earnings per share, exceeding analyst estimates [9] - The results prompted Rosenblatt to raise the price target from $300 to $500, maintaining a Buy rating, driven by memory price strength and lower costs [9] - Cramer emphasized the strong demand for memory chips, particularly in AI, with Micron only able to meet 50% to 66% of customer demand [9][10]

Core Viewpoint - Krispy Kreme has established itself as a meme stock, experiencing a 54% decline this year but a nearly 70% rebound from its summer lows, with ongoing challenges in profitability and revenue growth [2][4]. Financial Performance - The company has faced negative net income for an extended period, with thin margins during the few profitable quarters over the past five years [3]. - In Q3, revenue decreased by 1.2% year-over-year, and the operating loss was $7.2 million, an improvement from the $16 million loss in the same period last year [6]. Strategic Initiatives - CEO Josh Charlesworth identified two key initiatives for returning to profitability: profitable U.S. expansion and capital-light international franchise growth [6]. - The company is focusing on profitable growth, indicating that a significant revenue drop could be acceptable if net margins turn positive [9]. Market Position and Challenges - Krispy Kreme's global points of access declined by 6.1% year-over-year, and the company ended an unprofitable partnership with McDonald's, which may hinder sales growth [8]. - The balance sheet is under pressure, with total current assets of $161.8 million against total current liabilities of $448.9 million, resulting in a low current ratio of 0.36 [13]. Interest Expenses and Financial Health - The Q3 operating loss of $7.2 million did not include $16.4 million in interest expenses, highlighting the financial strain [12]. - The company has a price-to-sales ratio of 0.5, indicating a lower valuation, but achieving profitability may require a prolonged period of revenue declines and balance sheet deleveraging [14]. Growth Potential - The U.S. fresh delivery model is reportedly profitable and expanding, although specific numbers were not disclosed [10]. - The company is lightly entering international markets and collaborating with local franchise operators to scale up in a capital-efficient manner [9].