Core Insights - Mercer, a business of Marsh McLennan, announced the recipients of the 2025 China Star Employers Awards at its Best Employers Summit [1] Group 1: Award Recipients - The recipients of the 2025 China Star Employers Awards include DBS Bank (China) Limited, Domino's Pizza (China), Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Shanghai Disney Resort, Starbucks China, and Universal Beijing [1]

Core Insights - The current dining trend in the U.S. is characterized by an increase in appetizer orders, reflecting a shift in consumer behavior towards more affordable dining options amid food inflation [1][2][3] Restaurant Industry Trends - Appetizer orders have risen by 20% year over year, while orders for entrees and desserts remain flat or declining [2] - The "appetizer economy" is emerging, with some appetizers experiencing growth rates exceeding 30% [3] - Dessert orders have decreased by 2% year over year, indicating a shift in consumer preferences [3] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly opting for appetizers due to their association with promotions and drink specials, making dining out more affordable [4] - The trend towards frozen or shelf-stable appetizers is also growing, helping restaurant operators manage costs and reduce waste [4] Grocery and Private Label Trends - The food spending landscape reflects a K-shaped economy, with affluent consumers increasing spending on novel products while the majority shift towards private label brands [5][6] - Consumers can save 10-20% by switching to private label products, which have gained acceptance and are now perceived similarly to national brands [6] - Retailers like Albertsons, Costco, and Kroger are expanding their private label offerings, with expectations that private label could represent 30% of sales for some companies [7] Food Inflation and Pricing - Food inflation remains persistent, with food-at-home prices increasing between 1.9% to 2.7% year-over-year [9] - The consumer price index for September indicated a 3.1% increase in food prices, with specific categories like meat and poultry seeing a surge of 5.2% [10] - The "food away from home" sector is experiencing even higher inflation at 3.7%, prompting a shift towards private label spending in various dining establishments [11] Supply Chain Challenges - Tariffs and supply chain issues have contributed to price increases, particularly for perishable items, with no immediate relief expected [12] - The complexity of the food supply chain means that consumers may not understand the time required to stabilize supply after disruptions [13]

Core Viewpoint - The popularity of "Mala Tang" (spicy hot pot) in Japan is rapidly increasing, particularly among women aged 10 to 40, with a significant rise in the number of specialized stores and sales figures expected to continue growing [2][10][12]. Group 1: Market Growth - The number of new Mala Tang stores in Japan is projected to increase by at least eight times by 2025 compared to three years ago [2][8]. - From January to September 2025, 93 new Mala Tang stores opened across Japan, a significant increase from just 11 in 2022 [8]. - The average monthly sales for Mala Tang stores rose from approximately 3.5 million yen in 2021 to about 16 million yen in 2025 [8]. Group 2: Consumer Demographics - Approximately 90% of the customers at Mala Tang stores are women aged between 10 and 40 [5][10]. - The store design caters to female customers, promoting a café-like atmosphere where women feel comfortable dining alone [5]. Group 3: Unique Selling Proposition - Mala Tang offers a customizable dining experience, allowing customers to choose from around 50 different ingredients, which enhances its appeal [5][8]. - The dish is characterized by a rich broth made from about 20 spices, along with a base of chicken and pork bones, aligning with Japanese taste preferences [5][10]. Group 4: Brand Expansion - "Qibao Mala Tang," a leading brand in Japan, has opened 48 stores since its inception in 2007, emphasizing the use of fresh ingredients and unique flavors [10]. - Chinese brands like "Zhang Liang Mala Tang" and "Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang" are also expanding their presence in Japan, particularly in areas with significant Chinese populations [10][12]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The trend of Mala Tang is expected to continue, with potential for it to become a staple in Japanese cuisine, although strategies to attract male customers may be necessary for sustained growth [12][13].

There’s one copy, it’s locked in a safe at an undisclosed location and few people have seen it. It’s not an ancient manuscript. It’s the recipe for the sauce behind a chicken chain’s rise. https://t.co/yDwBipZVfI ...

Core Viewpoint - Krispy Kreme represents a high-risk, potentially high-reward turnaround story, with its brand recognition not translating into stock performance [1] Company Overview - Krispy Kreme has seen its shares lose more than half their value since its 2021 IPO, recently trading at $4.40 per share, near an all-time low [2] - The company operates in over 40 countries and sells millions of doughnuts daily, maintaining a strong emotional connection with customers [3] - Despite its visibility, Krispy Kreme's market capitalization is under $800 million, reflecting a business model that is still searching for consistency [4] Financial Performance - Krispy Kreme generated approximately $1.6 billion in annual revenue but reported operating losses, swinging from a profit of $13 million to a loss of $9 million in 2024 [6] - The company’s adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 10.8% from 9.1% year-over-year, but this margin is considered modest compared to competitors like Starbucks, which operates above 15% [7] Market Valuation - The company trades at a price-to-sales ratio of 0.5, which appears appealing, but the lack of profits and near-zero returns on invested capital raise skepticism about the valuation [8] Growth Potential - Optimists highlight early signs of a turnaround, including refranchising operations and closing unprofitable outlets, aiming for a more capital-light model [9] - There is potential for international growth, particularly in underpenetrated markets like Asia and Latin America, which could lead to mid-single-digit revenue growth and rising margins over time [10] Challenges and Risks - Skeptics point out that Krispy Kreme has faced multiple restructurings in the past without achieving sustainable profitability [11] - The company's "hub-and-spoke" distribution model is capital-heavy and operationally complex, posing challenges in maintaining profitability while closing unprofitable stores [12] - Execution risks are evident, as demonstrated by the termination of a partnership with McDonald's USA due to unprofitable unit economics [13] Investment Implications - The stock appears cheap, but only if the turnaround succeeds; the market is currently pricing in pessimism [14] - If margins improve and international growth accelerates, the stock could offer significant upside, but persistent inconsistency in profits could lead to a reevaluation of its valuation [14][15]

Dylan, you've got a really interesting story, I think like so many startups. It comes from a place of necessity for the founder. Talk to us a little bit about what you've dealt with.Yeah. Firstly, Tim, thanks very much for having me. Great to be here.And yeah, like you mentioned, I diagnosed celiac when I was ten years old and so have a lot of personal experience navigating dining out of home and ordering online while needing to know what's in my food and just over a long period of time got more and more fr ...

Group 1 - Ningbo Market Supervision Administration reported six batches of food products that failed safety inspections, indicating ongoing food safety concerns in the region [1] - Specific non-compliance issues included the presence of harmful substances such as enrofloxacin in fish and shrimp, and chloramphenicol in sausages, highlighting risks in food supply chains [1] - The administration has mandated local regulatory bodies to take legal action against the non-compliant food products and their producers, ensuring that these incidents are recorded in the food safety credit archives of the businesses involved [1] Group 2 - Hangzhou Bank, established in 1996, is a member of the Hangzhou Financial Investment Group and primarily engages in monetary financial services [2] - The registered capital of Hangzhou Bank is approximately 593 million RMB, reflecting its financial standing and capacity for investment [2]

Company Strategy - Panera Bread is preparing a multimillion-dollar turnaround strategy [1] - The CEO aims to reduce the amount of iceberg lettuce in its offerings [1]

Exclusive: Panera Bread is readying a multimillion-dollar turnaround strategy, and its chief executive wants less iceberg lettuce in the mix https://t.co/Cp98wyDy8i ...

Wawira Njiru. She grew up in Kenya, where her parents, who worked in health care and were leaders at their church, taught her that if you have something, you share it, that early lesson in service shaped her purpose in life. While studying nutrition in Australia, she realized she had to help the many children back home who were going to school hungry.So she hosted a small fundraiser, cooking for 80 people, and used the money she raised to feed 25 kids. That simple idea became food for education, a movement ...