Shares of Chipotle saw their worst day in years after the chain announced lower than expected instore traffic for a second quarter in a row. In the Cameron Mitchell restaurant group, a difference between lower and higher priced restaurant sales could also point to a more cautious consumer. And joining us right now to talk more about it is Cameron Mitchell himself of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.He's the founder and CEO and we check in with him frequently on this stuff. Cameron, let's talk a little bit about ...

You may have heard President Trump talk about no tax on tips >> and we will deliver no tax on tips. Very important. No tax on tips.>> Now that his massive tax and spending bill is law, he's now followed through on that promise. What does that catchphrase actually look like in practice. Any workers who have historically received tips like restaurant servers will be able to deduct up to $25,000 from their taxable income starting next year through 2028.The deduction begins phasing out for workers who earn more ...

Employers have used free meals and snacks to lure workers back to the office. Republicans decided that’s no longer worth a tax deduction, unless you work in the Alaska fishing industry or a restaurant. https://t.co/aOgRsy00kU (Illustration: Samantha Lee for Forbes; Getty Images) https://t.co/4tqyuOuGtn ...

French bistro Belon is infusing a Turkish flair into the Michelin-starred restaurant under Mina Güçlüer, one of the youngest chefs to lead a top restaurant https://t.co/pzwgzF8WB4 ...

Core Viewpoint - The consumer sector presents attractive growth stock opportunities, particularly as many stocks remain undervalued due to ongoing tariff concerns. Initial investments in these stocks can be beneficial for investors. Group 1: Amazon - Amazon's stock is currently attractively valued despite a rally from its lows, with a record Prime Day generating $24.1 billion in sales, more than double last year's Black Friday sales [3][4] - The company has made significant investments in logistics, automation, and AI, leading to improved operational efficiency and cost savings [4][5] - Amazon Web Services (AWS) continues to lead in cloud computing, with customers utilizing its services for AI model development, supported by custom chips for enhanced performance [5] Group 2: Alibaba - Alibaba's stock trades at a forward P/E of 11, with over 30% of its market cap in cash and investments, indicating it is undervalued [6][8] - The company's cloud business has seen AI-related revenue double for seven consecutive quarters, and partnerships with major companies like Apple could drive growth [6][7] - Alibaba is enhancing its e-commerce platforms and expanding international operations, with expectations of profitability in its international segment soon [7][8] Group 3: E.l.f. Beauty - E.l.f. Beauty's stock has faced a slowdown but is poised for transformation through its acquisition of Rhode, a fast-growing premium brand [9][10] - Rhode generated $212 million in sales with minimal marketing, indicating strong potential for growth as it enters retail partnerships [10][11] - The strategy to integrate premium brands is expected to yield better margins compared to mass-market products, presenting a long-term opportunity [12] Group 4: JAKKS Pacific - JAKKS Pacific has improved operations and profitability under new leadership, with shares up over 200% in five years despite a recent 30% decline due to tariff concerns [13][15] - The company reported a 26% sales increase in Q1, driven by popular licensed products, and is expected to maintain momentum with upcoming launches [14][15] - JAKKS is diversifying revenue through partnerships to create seasonal products, enhancing its market position [15] Group 5: Cava Group - Cava Group's stock is down nearly 50% from its highs, providing a favorable entry point for investors [16][18] - The company has achieved double-digit same-store sales growth for four consecutive quarters, driven by increased customer traffic [16][17] - Cava aims to expand its locations from under 400 to 1,000 by 2032, indicating significant growth potential in the fast-casual dining sector [18]

Market Overview - Volatility in the U.S. stock market is expected to continue due to uncertainty regarding interest rate cuts, new tariffs, and geopolitical tensions, complicating portfolio management for individual investors [1] Investment Strategy - Selecting inappropriate stocks can negatively affect returns, undermining investment goals; adhering to broker advice is suggested as brokers possess extensive knowledge of stocks and the broader economy [2] Recommended Stocks - Broker-friendly stocks identified for potential healthy returns include BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG), GXO Logistics (GXO), BrightView Holdings (BV), Bloomin' Brands (BLMN), and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) [3][9] Screening Methodology - A screening strategy was developed to identify stocks based on improving broker recommendations and upward revisions in earnings estimates over the past four weeks, incorporating the price/sales ratio as a valuation metric [4] Screening Criteria - The screening criteria include: - Top 75 companies with net upgrades in broker ratings over the last four weeks [5] - Top 10 stocks with positive earnings estimate revisions for the upcoming quarter [5] - Bottom 10% of stocks based on price/sales ratio [5] - Stocks priced above $5 to attract investor interest [5] - Average daily volume exceeding 100,000 shares over the last 20 trading days [6] - Top 3000 stocks by market capitalization [6] Company Highlights - **BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 55.4% for 2025, with a projected revenue increase of 9.1% over 2024; currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [7][9] - **GXO Logistics (GXO)**: Benefits from increased e-commerce and cost-cutting efforts; projected revenue growth of 9.9% for 2025; currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [10][11] - **BrightView Holdings (BV)**: Largest commercial landscaper in the U.S., with expected earnings growth of 10.5% for 2025; currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 [12][13] - **Bloomin' Brands (BLMN)**: Performance driven by off-premise channels and technology upgrades; Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings revised upward by 1.7% [14][15] - **Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)**: Focus on flexitarian diets and sustainable materials; currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 [16][17]

Company Performance - Cheesecake Factory's stock is up over 31% year-to-date, outperforming the SP500's 6.5% gain [1] - The company boasts an annualized unit volume of $12.5 million, considered an obscenely large number for the restaurant industry [8] - In the most recent quarter, Cheesecake Factory delivered impressive unit level margins of 16.6%, exceeding Wall Street's expectation of 15.8% [15] Business Strategy & Operations - Cheesecake Factory operates 350 locations across the US and Canada, including 215 flagship Cheesecake Factory restaurants and other concepts like North Italia and Flower Child [3] - The company's menu is known for its extensive selection, featuring roughly 225 different items, including approximately 45 cheesecakes and other desserts [4][5] - Cheesecake Factory aims to retain talent by investing in its workforce, having been named one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Places to Work for the 12th consecutive year [9][10] - The company makes semi-annual menu changes to stay on top of food trends, adding vegetable-heavy dishes and offering better value to customers [13][14][15] Expansion & Growth - Cheesecake Factory is planning to open 25 new locations across all its brands, with 3-4 being Cheesecake Factories and the rest being other concepts [16] - The company expects to open 6-7 North Italia locations, 6-7 Flower Child locations, and 8-9 FRC restaurants [17] - North Italia's unit volume is $7.75 million, while Flower Child's is $4.6 million [17] Market Outlook & Investment Recommendation - Management remains conservative in its outlook, suggesting the stock might sell off even with a good quarter [19] - Despite strong performance, management's commentary suggests the environment doesn't feel as robust as it did three months ago, with the second quarter revenue outlook coming in below consensus expectations [19][20] - It might be wise to wait and see the latest results before investing, given the stock's recent rally of 30% on very little news [18][21]

This market's got a lot of winners that feel like they came out of nowhere, don't they. I mean, stocks are always checking, trying to figure out what they are. I mean, last night I talked about IMAX.Well, which is making a fortune because it's the best way for struggling movies theaters to sell tickets. Today, I got another one for you. Just kind of popped out of nowhere on my screen.Cheesecake Factory. Yeah, it's up over 31% year to date. Chancing the 6.5% gain the SP500 over the same period.Cheesecake Fac ...

Core Insights - The article highlights five consumer-focused companies with strong long-term growth potential, emphasizing their innovative strategies and market positions Group 1: Amazon - Amazon's continuous innovation and heavy investment in logistics and automation have established it as a leading global company [2] - The company utilizes AI to optimize delivery routes and improve warehouse efficiency, enhancing operational effectiveness [3] - Amazon Web Services (AWS) remains a leader in cloud computing, with proprietary AI chips providing a cost advantage [4] Group 2: e.l.f. Beauty - e.l.f. Beauty has successfully captured market share in mass-market cosmetics and is expanding into the premium segment through the acquisition of Rhode, which generated $212 million in sales [5][6] - The acquisition allows for cross-selling opportunities and complements e.l.f.'s existing product lines, with plans to enhance Rhode's offerings [6][7] - e.l.f. is expanding internationally and exploring adjacent markets, indicating significant growth potential [7] Group 3: Dutch Bros - Dutch Bros is focused on expansion, aiming to grow from over 1,000 locations to 7,000, while also reporting a 4.7% increase in same-store sales [8] - The introduction of mobile ordering and potential food offerings could drive further sales growth [9][10] Group 4: Cava Group - Cava Group is experiencing strong growth with a Mediterranean menu, achieving four consecutive quarters of double-digit same-store sales growth, including a 10.8% increase last quarter [12] - The company is expanding geographically with a target of 1,000 locations by 2032, utilizing a successful "coastal smile" strategy [14] Group 5: Philip Morris International - Philip Morris is successfully transitioning to smokeless products like Zyn and Iqos, with Zyn's volumes increasing over 50% last quarter [15][16] - The company is expanding Iqos in international markets and has regained U.S. rights, providing additional growth opportunities [17] - Philip Morris maintains a profitable legacy cigarette business, benefiting from stable volumes and strong pricing [18]

Well, a shape up shakeup in the restaurant space this morning. Our Kate Rogers has the story. Hi, Kate. Hey, Court. Wendy's announcing this morning the departure of Kirk Tanner, its CEO, effective on July 18th. Tanner will be heading to the Hershey Company uh to be its CEO as Michelle Bach departs. Wendy's is starting a comprehensive search, it says, for a new CEO, and in the meantime, the board has appointed Ken Cook, chief financial officer of the company, as its interim CEO. Cook, who remains CFO, played ...