How should we think about the emergence of Lucken and its emergence here in the US. >> Well, what's interesting about Luck, you only have a couple of stores open so far in New York, right. What's interesting about it is that is primarily a mobile pickup based concept, right.It's distinct from Starbucks, which is telling you sort of coming into stores that employee connection is is still important. Lucken doesn't necessarily have that, right. So, I think our view would be that that isn't a broader threat to ...

Core Insights - Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) reported mixed results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025, with earnings per share (EPS) missing estimates while net revenues exceeded expectations [1][4] - The company made a one-time investment impacting EPS by 11 cents, and the overall performance reflected progress in its turnaround strategy [1][3] Financial Performance - EPS for the quarter was 50 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents by 23.1%, and down 46.2% from 93 cents in the prior-year quarter [4] - Net revenues reached $9.46 billion, beating the consensus mark of $9.3 billion by 1.7%, and increased 3.8% from $9.11 billion in the prior-year quarter [4] - Global comparable store sales declined 2% year over year, with a 2% decrease in comparable transactions partially offset by a 1% increase in average tickets [5] Segment Analysis - North America segment net revenues were $6.93 billion, up 2% year over year, with comparable store sales also declining 2% [7] - International segment net revenues increased 9% year over year to $2.01 billion, with comparable store sales at breakeven compared to a 7% decline in the prior-year quarter [8] - Channel Development segment net revenues rose 10% year over year to $483.8 million, driven by contributions to the Global Coffee Alliance [10] Margin and Cost Analysis - Non-GAAP operating margin contracted 660 basis points to 10.1% year over year, primarily due to investments in the "Back to Starbucks" initiative and inflation [6] - Operating margin in North America fell 770 basis points to 13.3%, while the International segment's margin contracted 200 basis points to 13.6% [8][9] - The Channel Development segment's operating margin decreased 860 basis points to 45.1% due to higher global product costs [11] Cash and Dividend Information - As of the end of the fiscal third quarter, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $4.17 billion, up from $3.29 billion at the end of fiscal 2024 [12] - Management declared a quarterly cash dividend of 61 cents per share, payable on August 29, 2025 [13]

Compensation Structure - McDonald's new employee starting pay is $13 per hour [1] - After 3 years, McDonald's employee pay increases to $17 per hour [1] - McDonald's general manager earns $27 per hour [1] Additional Benefits - McDonald's offers performance bonuses in addition to base pay [1] - McDonald's provides overtime pay at 150% (one and a half times) of the base rate [1]

Group 1 - The S&P 500 is reaching new records, but there is a disconnect between stock performance and the current macroeconomic conditions [1] - Many companies, especially those linked to consumer spending, are reporting earnings as the Q2 earnings season begins [1] Group 2 - Gary Alexander has extensive experience in technology sectors, both on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley, influencing his insights into current industry trends [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System-wide sales increased by 13.9% to $1.3 billion, while same-store sales declined by 1.9% for the quarter [7][25] - Total revenue increased by 12% to $174.3 million compared to the prior year [25] - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 14.3% to $59.2 million, and adjusted EPS was $1 per diluted share, a 1.6% increase year-over-year [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company-owned restaurant sales increased by $2.6 million due to same-store sales growth of 3.6% [25] - Cost of sales as a percentage of company-owned sales was 75.2%, a decline of 70 basis points [26] - The implementation of the Wingstop Smart Kitchen has led to a consistent average ticket time of ten minutes [26][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened 129 net new restaurants globally in the second quarter, marking a nearly 20% growth rate [9][20] - The international business is showing strong demand, with new restaurants in Sydney and Paris exceeding expectations [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to scale brand awareness, drive menu innovation, expand delivery channels, and invest in digital transformation [9][19] - The long-term target is to achieve average unit volumes (AUVs) of $3 million, supported by the success of the Wingstop Smart Kitchen [17][19] - The company has updated its guidance for unit growth to 17% to 18% for 2025, reflecting strong demand from brand partners [20][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged uncertainty in consumer behavior and spending habits but remains focused on executing strategies [10][22] - The company expects to return to positive same-store sales growth as the year progresses, particularly in the latter half of the third quarter [38][86] - Management expressed confidence in the long-term strategies and the potential of the Wingstop Smart Kitchen to enhance operational efficiency [41][43] Other Important Information - The company has increased its quarterly dividend from $0.27 to $0.30 per share, reflecting the strength of its business model [28] - The digital database has grown by 30%, now approaching 60 million, which will support the upcoming loyalty program [18][56] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on third quarter guidance - Management noted some softness in consumer demand but expects to return to growth as comparisons ease in the latter half of the third quarter [36][38] Question: Impact of Smart Kitchen on sales - Early results from the Smart Kitchen indicate improvements in speed and guest satisfaction, with sales outperformance noted in the Dallas Fort Worth market [41][43] Question: Unit growth and franchisee demand - The company is encouraged by the pace of development and the record level of sold commitments, indicating strong franchisee demand [46][50] Question: Details on the loyalty program - The loyalty program is designed to create an emotional connection with guests, leveraging insights from the growing digital database [56][57] Question: Impact of value deals on customer behavior - The 20 for 20 bundle performed well, leading to higher average checks and demonstrating the company's ability to offer value without sacrificing margins [62][63] Question: Changes in delivery mix with Smart Kitchen - Restaurants with Smart Kitchen are seeing mid-single-digit growth in delivery sales, indicating improved performance [69] Question: Future unit growth normalization - Management is focused on disciplined and sustainable growth, with a strong pipeline of sold commitments supporting future expansion [98][100]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System-wide sales increased by 13.9% to $1.3 billion, while same-store sales declined by 1.9% for the quarter [6][25] - Total revenue increased by 12% to $174.3 million compared to the prior year [26] - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 14.3% to $59.2 million, and adjusted EPS was $1 per diluted share, a 1.6% increase year-over-year [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company-owned restaurant sales increased by $2.6 million due to same-store sales growth of 3.6% [26] - Cost of sales as a percentage of company-owned sales was 75.2%, a decline of 70 basis points [27] - The implementation of the Wingstop Smart Kitchen has led to a consistent average ticket time of ten minutes in company-owned restaurants [27][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened 129 net new restaurants globally in the second quarter, marking a nearly 20% growth rate [7][20] - The international business is showing strong demand, with new restaurants in Sydney and Paris exceeding expectations [21][22] - The average unit volume (AUV) has surged over $2 million, with a target of reaching $3 million [24][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to scale brand awareness, drive menu innovation, expand delivery channels, and invest in digital transformation [7][19] - The focus remains on executing long-term strategies to become a top 10 global restaurant brand [22][31] - The company is set to pilot a new loyalty program in Q4 2025, with a full launch planned for 2026 [18][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged uncertainty in consumer behavior and spending habits but remains focused on controllable factors [8][20] - The company expects to return to positive same-store sales growth as the year progresses, particularly in Q4 [30][88] - Confidence in achieving the adjusted EBITDA growth rate exceeding 15% versus 2024 [31] Other Important Information - The company has increased its quarterly dividend from $0.27 to $0.30 per share, reflecting the strength of its business model [29] - The demand for new restaurant openings remains strong, with over 95% of new units opened by existing brand partners [20][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on third quarter guidance and confidence in trends - Management noted some softness in consumer demand but expects to return to growth as comparisons ease in the latter part of Q3 [38][39] Question: Impact of Smart Kitchen on sales - Early results from the Smart Kitchen indicate improvements in speed and guest satisfaction, with significant benefits expected after four months of implementation [41][42] Question: Unit growth and franchisee demand - The company is encouraged by the pace of development and the strength of unit economics, with a record pipeline of sold commitments [50][52] Question: Reception of value deals and impact on average ticket - The 20 for 20 bundle performed well, leading to higher average checks and demonstrating the company's ability to showcase value without sacrificing margins [62] Question: Addressing consumer pressure and promotional strategies - Management emphasized the importance of value initiatives and flavor innovations to engage consumers and address price sensitivity [90][92]

Chase launches a new fund and partnership aimed at helping restaurants affected by natural disasters https://t.co/daMLhugkO7 ...

All right, to tell two stories for Starbucks in the wake of its latest earnings report. One of those stories is a coffee giant still battling through the early stages of a turnaround and sales and profits being under pressure in the process. The other story are signs that actions put into place to turn the business around are slowly starting to work.Joining me now is the leader pulling the levers on all those actions, Starbucks chairman and CEO Brian Nickel. Brian, always nice to see uh see you and get some ...

Core Insights - Wingstop reported revenue of $174.33 million for the quarter ended June 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 12% and an EPS of $1.00 compared to $0.93 a year ago, with a slight revenue surprise of -0.05% against the Zacks Consensus Estimate [1] - The EPS surprise was +13.64% compared to the consensus estimate of $0.88 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Total system-wide restaurants reached 2,818, exceeding the eight-analyst average estimate of 2,766 [4] - Domestic same-store sales growth was -1.9%, better than the -2.4% average estimate [4] - Company-owned domestic same-store sales growth was 3.6%, significantly higher than the -1.8% average estimate [4] - Total domestic restaurants numbered 2,411, surpassing the 2,369 average estimate [4] - Domestic franchised activity restaurants totaled 2,357, exceeding the four-analyst average estimate of 2,317 [4] - International franchised activity restaurants reached 407, slightly above the 399 average estimate [4] - New domestic franchised restaurant openings were 110, significantly higher than the 67 estimated by analysts [4] - New international franchised restaurant openings were 21, compared to the 13 estimated [4] - Royalty revenue, franchise fees, and other totaled $79.89 million, slightly below the average estimate of $80.65 million, but representing a year-over-year change of +12.3% [4] - Company-owned restaurant sales revenue was $32.48 million, exceeding the $29.77 million estimate, reflecting an +8.7% year-over-year change [4] - Advertising fees revenue was $61.96 million, below the $64.01 million average estimate, but showing a +13.4% year-over-year change [4] Stock Performance - Wingstop shares have returned -13.5% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.4% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Wingstop shares jumped 29% after saying it plans to step up the rate at which it opens new restaurants after posting its most profitable quarter on record https://t.co/dRvFjQFjK9 ...