On December 12, CNBC reported that consumers in the US are still dining out amid food inflation and affordability concerns. However, many are now ordering more appetizers instead of higher-priced entrees.Jim Pazzanese, executive vice president of global strategic procurement of Buyers Edge Platform, which tracks supply chain data within the food service industry, said: “Appetizer orders are up 20% year over year, even as entrees and desserts are largely flat or declining.”Pazzanese pointed out that this shi ...

With a market cap of $8.3 billion, Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) is a food company specializing in the production, distribution, and marketing of frozen potato products across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and international markets. The company offers a wide range of frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as owned, licensed, and private-label brands such as Grown in Idaho and Alexia. Companies valued less than $10 billion are generally consider ...

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 Points - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. has established an "at-the-market equity offering" program to sell shares of its common stock with a total gross sales price of up to $40 million [1][3] - The net proceeds from this offering will be used for working capital, debt repayment, and other general purposes [1] - The shares will be offered through Evercore Group L.L.C. as the sales agent, utilizing various methods permitted by law for at-the-market offerings [2] Company Overview - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. is a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969, operating under the trade name Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews [6] - The company serves a variety of gourmet burgers, salads, appetizers, entrees, desserts, and signature beverages in a family-friendly atmosphere [6] - Red Robin operates nearly 500 locations in the United States and Canada, including franchise agreements, and offers online ordering for to-go, delivery, and catering [6]

Core Viewpoint - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. reported a decrease in total revenues for the fiscal third quarter of 2025, alongside improvements in adjusted EBITDA and restaurant-level operating profit margin, indicating ongoing operational efficiencies despite revenue challenges [2][4][10]. Financial Performance - Total revenues for the third quarter of 2025 were $265.1 million, a decrease of $9.5 million compared to the same period in 2024 [2]. - Comparable restaurant revenue decreased by 1.2%, with a net loss of $18.4 million, an improvement from a loss of $18.9 million in the previous year [10]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $7.6 million, an 81% increase from $4.2 million in the prior year [10]. Year-to-Date Performance - For the year-to-date period, total revenues were $941.2 million, down by $22.2 million from the previous year [10]. - Comparable restaurant revenue remained unchanged year-to-date, with a net loss of $13.2 million, significantly improved from a loss of $37.8 million last year [10]. Operational Efficiency - The restaurant-level operating profit margin improved by 90 basis points year-over-year to 9.9%, primarily driven by labor efficiency improvements [4]. - The company experienced a sequential traffic improvement of approximately 250 basis points from the second quarter, particularly during mid-week dining and lunch periods [4]. Balance Sheet and Liquidity - As of October 5, 2025, Red Robin had outstanding borrowings of $177.7 million, reduced by $11.8 million from the end of fiscal 2024, with liquidity of approximately $50.7 million [6]. - The company entered into a fourth amendment to its credit agreement, extending the maturity date to September 2027, providing additional flexibility for its operational plans [7]. Guidance and Outlook - The company maintained its total revenue guidance for fiscal 2025 at approximately $1.2 billion, with an updated expectation for restaurant-level operating profit of at least 12.5% [9]. - Adjusted EBITDA guidance was raised to at least $65 million, reflecting confidence in operational improvements [9].

Core Viewpoint - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. has announced its "First Choice" plan aimed at enhancing long-term shareholder value and provided an updated financial outlook for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: First Choice Plan - The "First Choice" plan is designed to make Red Robin the preferred choice for guests, team members, and investors through coordinated initiatives [2][3]. - Key components of the plan include protecting the foundations of the previous North Star Plan, driving traffic through creative engagement, managing expenses to reduce debt, investing in restaurant facilities, and fostering a high-performance work environment [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Outlook - The company expects second quarter comparable restaurant sales to decrease by approximately 4%, slightly worse than the previous expectation of a 3% decrease [5]. - Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to exceed prior expectations of $13 million to $16 million, indicating improved profitability [5][6]. - The first half of 2025 is projected to show Adjusted EBITDA surpassing the full-year results of 2024, reflecting operational excellence and cost efficiency [6]. Group 3: Investor Communication - An investor conference call is scheduled for July 15, 2025, to discuss the "First Choice" plan and updated financial expectations [7]. - The call will be accessible via phone and will also be webcast live, with a replay available shortly after the call [8].

Company Overview - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. is a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969, operating under the trade name Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews [2] - The company serves a variety of gourmet burgers, salads, appetizers, entrees, desserts, signature beverages, and Donatos® pizza at select locations [2] - Red Robin operates nearly 500 locations in the United States and Canada, including those under franchise agreements [2] Recent Developments - The company will host meetings with institutional investors at the 15th Annual Jefferies Consumer Conference on June 17-18, 2025, in Nantucket, MA [1]

Company Overview - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. is a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969, operating under the trade name Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews [4] - The company serves a variety of gourmet burgers, salads, appetizers, entrees, desserts, signature beverages, and Donatos® pizza at select locations [4] - Red Robin operates nearly 500 locations in the United States and Canada, including those under franchise agreements [4] Financial Results Announcement - The company will release its financial results for the fiscal first quarter of 2025 on May 29, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on the same day [1] Conference Call Details - The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 201-689-8560 or through the Call Me™ feature [2] - A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after its conclusion, accessible by dialing 412-317-6671 with the conference ID 13753452, available until June 5, 2025 [2] - The call will also be webcast live and archived on the company's Investor Relations website [3]