Group 1 - The core strategy of Starbucks is the "Back to Starbucks" plan aimed at revitalizing the brand and enhancing customer experience through improvements in coffee quality and barista support [3][4]. - In the quarter ending June 25, Starbucks reported a 2% decline in global comparable store sales, with North America also down 2% and international sales remaining flat [4]. - Despite the decline in sales, the company noted improvements in various operational metrics, including increased retail partner engagement scores and record high shift completion rates [5]. Group 2 - Starbucks plans to launch significant innovations in its rewards program in early 2026, which will address customer feedback and enhance loyalty and engagement [6]. - The company will introduce a new Starbucks app and enhancements to its mobile order and pay features in 2026, aiming to improve customer service and overall experience [7]. - Starbucks has nearly 34 million 90-day active members in its rewards program, which is considered a significant asset for the company [6].

Company Overview - FAT Brands Inc. is a global restaurant franchising company with a portfolio of 18 restaurant concepts and over 2,300 locations worldwide [2][3] - The company operates well-known brands such as Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza, and Twin Peaks [2][3] Legal Developments - The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California has filed a motion to dismiss all charges against Andrew Wiederhorn and other defendants, asserting that there were no victims, losses, or crimes involved [1][2] - Andy Wiederhorn expressed gratitude towards the U.S. Attorney's Office for reviewing the case and emphasized the company's focus on growth following the dismissal of the indictment [2] Growth Prospects - With the legal matter resolved, FAT Brands is positioned for continued growth, with over 1,000 units in its development pipeline and approximately 120 signed development agreements year-to-date [2] - The company anticipates more than 100 new store openings within the current year, indicating a robust expansion strategy [2]

Core Insights - Starbucks reported revenue of $9.46 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 3.8% [1] - The company's EPS was $0.50, down from $0.93 in the same quarter last year, indicating a significant decline [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.3 billion by 1.68%, while the EPS fell short of the consensus estimate of $0.65 by 23.08% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Total stores reached 41,097, slightly below the average estimate of 41,148 from eight analysts [4] - Comparable store sales in North America decreased by 2%, compared to an estimated decline of 1.9% [4] - Comparable store sales internationally showed no growth, falling short of the estimated growth of 2.3% [4] - Net revenues from North America were $6.93 billion, surpassing the average estimate of $6.88 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 1.6% [4] - Net revenues from company-operated stores internationally were $1.53 billion, slightly above the estimate of $1.52 billion, marking a 10.6% year-over-year increase [4] - Net revenues from licensed stores internationally were $465.1 million, close to the estimate of $467.92 million, with a year-over-year increase of 3.9% [4] - Net revenues from licensed stores in North America were $640.5 million, below the estimate of $659.42 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 6% [4] - Net revenues from company-operated stores totaled $7.81 billion, exceeding the estimate of $7.71 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 3.9% [4] - Net revenues from licensed stores amounted to $1.11 billion, slightly below the estimate of $1.12 billion, indicating a year-over-year decline of 2.1% [4] - Net revenues from other sources were $537.9 million, surpassing the estimate of $471.17 million, with a year-over-year increase of 14.7% [4] - Net revenues from channel development reached $483.8 million, exceeding the estimate of $441.13 million, with a year-over-year increase of 10.4% [4] Stock Performance - Starbucks shares returned +2.2% over the past month, underperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), suggesting potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]

Market Overview - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached intra-day record highs but closed in the red, with the Dow down 204 points (-0.46%), S&P 500 down 18 points (-0.30%), Nasdaq down 80 points (-0.38%), and Russell 2000 down 13 points (-0.61%) [1] - Trade deals are progressing but lack the strength to drive the market higher, with Q2 earnings showing some weaknesses outside of Big Tech [2] Federal Reserve Policy - A new announcement on Fed policy is expected, with the current interest rate of 4.25-4.50% likely to remain unchanged for the fifth consecutive FOMC meeting [3] - Some analysts anticipate dissent among Fed members regarding the need for rate cuts despite current unemployment at +4.1% and inflation at +2.7% [3] Earnings Reports - **Starbucks (SBUX)**: Reported Q3 earnings of $0.50 per share, missing the consensus of $0.65, attributed to a one-time charge of $0.11. Revenues were $9.50 billion, exceeding expectations of $9.30 billion. Same-store sales fell -2% compared to a -1.3% consensus [4][5] - **Visa (V)**: Reported earnings of $2.98 per share, beating expectations of $2.86, with revenues of $10.2 billion surpassing the $9.87 billion forecast. Despite strong performance, shares fell -3% in after-hours trading [6] - **Booking Holdings (BKNG)**: Reported Q2 earnings of $55.40 per share, exceeding the $50.59 estimate, with revenues of $6.8 billion above the $6.56 billion consensus. Gross bookings reached $46.7 billion [7] - **Mondelez (MDLZ)**: Reported earnings of $0.73 per share, beating estimates by $0.05, with revenues of $8.98 billion exceeding the $8.88 billion expectation. The company faced challenges from rising cocoa prices and tariffs [8] Upcoming Market Events - The earnings season is expected to peak with reports from major companies like Microsoft and Meta Platforms, along with others such as Ford and Qualcomm [9] - Private-sector payroll data from ADP is anticipated, with a consensus of +64K jobs for July, following a previous decline of -33K [10] - Q2 GDP is projected to rebound to +2.3% from Q1's -0.5%, influenced by tariff policies and economic outlook improvements [10]

Price changes are the last resort for Starbucks' CEO, Brian Niccol, he said on Tuesday's Q3 earnings call, but he won't rule them out as part of his revitalization efforts of the coffee giant. A quick-service restaurant veteran, Niccol has led successful revitalization campaigns at Taco Bell and Chipotle. His "Back to Starbucks" campaign is proceeding ahead of schedule, the CEO told investors on Tuesday. "While our financial results don't yet reflect all the progress we've made, the signs are clear — we're ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenues of $956 million for Q2 2025, exceeding guidance expectations [18] - Adjusted net income margin was 5.8%, also above the high end of guidance [18] - Comparable sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants increased by 1.2% year-over-year [6][18] - The Cheesecake Factory's four-wall restaurant margin increased to 18.5%, up 80 basis points year-over-year, marking the highest level in eight years [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for The Cheesecake Factory restaurants were $683.3 million, up 1% from the prior year [18] - North Italia's total sales were $90.8 million, up 20% year-over-year, with comparable sales declining by 1% [18][14] - Flower Child's sales totaled $48.2 million, up 35% from the prior year, with comparable sales increasing by 4% [15][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Off-premise sales for The Cheesecake Factory accounted for 21% of total sales, consistent with the average of the prior four quarters [11] - North Italia's annualized average unit volumes (AUVs) reached $8 million, while Flower Child's AUVs exceeded $4.8 million [13][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open as many as 25 new restaurants in 2025, including two Cheesecake Factory locations internationally under licensing agreements [8][26] - The introduction of new menu items, including 14 new dishes and a new cheesecake, is aimed at maintaining culinary innovation without relying on discounting [6][7] - The company is focused on enhancing the Cheesecake Rewards program to drive customer engagement and loyalty [12][91] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory of the portfolio, citing strong demand for distinct dining experiences [8] - The operating environment has been stable, with management noting that the company is weathering current conditions effectively [51] - Future guidance for Q3 anticipates total revenues between $905 million and $915 million, with adjusted net income margin expected to be about 3.25% [22][24] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with total available liquidity of approximately $515.3 million, including a cash balance of $148.8 million [21] - Capital expenditures totaled approximately $42 million during the quarter for new unit development and maintenance [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Increase in net income margin for 2025 - Management confirmed that the increase is primarily driven by operational excellence and better-than-expected Q2 results [29][30] Question: Third quarter revenue outlook - The revenue outlook assumes stable same-store sales similar to Q2 [31] Question: Labor retention levels - Management reported that staff retention is at historical highs, exceeding pre-pandemic levels [35][36] Question: Cheesecake Factory Q2 sales breakdown - Q2 net effective pricing was about 4%, with traffic down 1.1% [38][39] Question: Customer response to new menu items - Management noted positive customer response to new menu items, with marketing efforts focused on visibility [42][43] Question: Flower Child profitability and unit economics - Flower Child's mature unit margins reached 20.4%, with strong AUVs [52] Question: North Italia performance and comp breakdown - North Italia's comp breakdown showed a 4% price increase, negative 1% mix, and negative 4% traffic [59][61] Question: Menu pricing strategy - The company plans to take less pricing in the second half of the year, introducing lower-priced items [70][72] Question: Development pipeline for 2026 - Management anticipates opening more units than the 25 planned for 2025, with a strong pipeline [85] Question: Dynamics around convertible notes - Management discussed the potential dilution from convertible notes and the conditions under which they would consider conversion [116][117]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenues of $956 million for Q2 2025, exceeding expectations and marking a year-over-year increase [16][17] - Adjusted net income margin improved to 5.8%, reflecting operational excellence and strong sales trends [16][22] - Cheesecake Factory's comparable sales increased by 1.2%, while North Italia's sales rose by 20% and Flower Child's sales surged by 35% year-over-year [17][18][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cheesecake Factory restaurants achieved total sales of $683.3 million, up 1% from the previous year, with average weekly sales reaching record highs [17][5] - North Italia's annualized average unit volumes (AUVs) increased by 2% to $8 million, despite a 1% decline in comparable sales [12][13] - Flower Child's comparable sales increased by 4%, with average weekly sales of $91,400, leading to an annualized AUV of over $4.8 million [14][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Off-premise sales for Cheesecake Factory accounted for 21% of total sales, consistent with previous quarters [10] - The company opened eight new restaurants in Q2, including two Cheesecake Factory locations and three Flower Child locations, with plans to open up to 25 new restaurants in 2025 [7][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes culinary innovation, introducing 14 new dishes and a new cheesecake to maintain menu relevance without relying on discounting [6][10] - The focus on operational excellence and staff retention is seen as a key driver for improved guest satisfaction and profitability [9][35] - The company aims to continue expanding its restaurant footprint while maintaining high operational standards and guest experiences [24][86] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory of the business, citing strong demand for unique dining experiences [7][24] - The operating environment is described as stable, with expectations for continued growth despite potential macroeconomic challenges [51][52] - The company anticipates total revenues for fiscal 2025 to be approximately $3.76 billion, with an adjusted net income margin of about 4.9% [22][23] Other Important Information - The Cheesecake Rewards program is performing well, with higher member engagement and satisfaction compared to non-members [11][94] - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, with total available liquidity of approximately $515.3 million [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Increase in net income margin for 2025 - Management confirmed that the increase is primarily driven by operational improvements and better-than-expected Q2 results [27][28] Question: Third quarter revenue outlook - The revenue outlook assumes stable comparable sales similar to Q2, with no significant changes anticipated [29] Question: Labor retention levels - Management reported that staff retention is at historically high levels, exceeding pre-pandemic rates, contributing to improved productivity and guest satisfaction [33][35] Question: Cheesecake Factory Q2 sales breakdown - The net effective pricing was about 4%, with traffic down 1.1% and mix contributing to the balance [37][38] Question: Customer response to new menu items - Management indicated positive customer response to new menu items, with marketing strategies in place to highlight these innovations [41][42] Question: Flower Child profitability and unit economics - Flower Child is experiencing strong performance with mature unit margins over 20%, and the company is optimistic about future growth [50][52] Question: North Italia performance and sales transfer - North Italia's performance is strong, with AUVs of $8 million, but some sales transfer is impacting comparable sales [59][60] Question: Menu pricing strategy - The company plans to take less pricing in the second half of the year, focusing on value-driven menu items [68][70] Question: Development pipeline for 2026 - Management anticipates opening more units than the 25 planned for 2025, with a strong pipeline in place [86][87]

Restaurant company Cheesecake Factory Inc CAKE reported better-than-expected financial results for the second fiscal quarter after market close Tuesday.How is CAKE stock moving? See real-time price here.What Happened: Cheesecake Factory reported second-quarter revenue of $955.8 million, up 5.7% from last year's second quarter total of $904 million. The revenue beat a Street consensus estimate of $946.79 million according to data from Benzinga Pro.The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.16 in ...

Core Viewpoint - Starbucks' fiscal third-quarter results were mixed, with revenue growth but significant declines in earnings per share and comparable sales in North America [1][4]. Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q3 FY 2024 was $9.11 billion, increasing to $9.46 billion in Q3 FY 2025, representing a 4% growth and beating expectations [2]. - Adjusted earnings per share fell from $0.93 to $0.50, a decline of 46%, which missed expectations [2]. - North America comparable sales remained unchanged at -2%, while international comparable sales improved by 7 percentage points, moving from -7% to 0% [2]. Business Insights - The company reported a 4% global revenue increase, with a 2% rise in North America and a 9% increase in the international segment [4]. - Despite the revenue growth, global comparable sales decreased by 2%, driven by a 2% drop in North America, while international sales remained flat [4]. - CEO Brian Niccol expressed confidence in the company's turnaround, stating that significant progress has been made and a "wave of innovation" is expected next year [5]. Market Reaction - Following the quarterly release, Starbucks' stock rose by 5% in after-hours trading, indicating investor acceptance of the CEO's optimistic outlook despite the earnings miss [6]. Regional Performance - China showed positive signs with comparable sales increasing by 2% year over year, reversing a previous decline, and the company opened over 500 new locations in China in the past 12 months [7].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company net revenue for Q3 was $9.5 billion, reflecting a 3% increase year-over-year, driven by 6% net new company-operated store growth, partially offset by a 2% decline in comparable store sales [40][41] - Global operating margin was 10.1%, a decrease of 650 basis points from the prior year, primarily due to deleverage and investments in the Back to Starbucks strategy [49] - Earnings per share (EPS) for Q3 was $0.50, down 45% from the prior year, mainly reflecting the impact of expense deleverage and investments [50] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America, comparable sales declined by 2%, with the U.S. experiencing a transaction comp decline of less than 4% [40][41] - Canada reported low single-digit sales comp growth, driven by product innovation, particularly in food [44] - The international segment achieved over $2 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time, with strong performance in the UK and Mexico [28][45] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Starbucks China's comparable store sales grew by 2%, driven by a 6% improvement in comparable transactions, supported by successful product innovation and marketing campaigns [46][28] - The UK and Mexico showed positive comparable sales performance, while Japan faced challenges with negative comparable sales due to soft consumer sentiment [31][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on the "Back to Starbucks" strategy, which aims to enhance customer service and operational efficiency, with significant investments in the Green Apron service model [5][14] - Plans include a comprehensive evaluation of the coffee house portfolio to ensure alignment with brand and customer expectations, targeting at least 1,000 uplifts across North America by the end of 2026 [20][21] - The company aims to innovate its menu and enhance the Starbucks Rewards program to better recognize customer loyalty and engagement [86][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the turnaround strategy, noting early signs of progress in partner engagement and customer satisfaction [8][12] - The company anticipates that investments in labor and operational improvements will yield healthier margins over time, with a focus on disciplined capital deployment [54][53] - Management acknowledged the dynamic environment regarding coffee prices and tariffs but remains optimistic about future growth opportunities [52][53] Other Important Information - The company plans to hold an Investor Day in early 2026 to provide insights into long-term strategies and performance expectations [66][68] - The Green Apron service model is set to roll out across all U.S. company-operated stores, aiming to standardize customer service and operational efficiency [14][72] Q&A Session Summary Question: Investment in stores and cost offsets - Management highlighted the importance of the Green Apron service as a foundational operating model and is working on cost structure efficiency across the P&L [58][59] Question: Long-term margin expectations - Management indicated that 2019 margins serve as a guidepost for future profitability, emphasizing the need to drive top-line growth first [65][66] Question: Green Apron service rollout - The Green Apron service model will begin rolling out mid-August, with expectations for gradual implementation across stores [71][72] Question: Marketing impact on transactions - Management noted improvements in marketing effectiveness and operational progress, contributing to increased transactions [78][79] Question: Food innovation opportunities - Management acknowledged successful food initiatives in Canada and plans to leverage successful food offerings globally [80][81]