You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletters. No restaurant company grew as fast as 7 Brew in 2024. The 8-year-old, Arkansas-based drive-thru coffee company’s sales jumped by 163% year-over-year, while its footprint increased by 78% to end with 321 total stores, according to Technomic data. It’s worth noting that 2024 was no fluke. Since 2019, the chain has achieved more than 4,000% growth. Today, 7 Brew is celebrating the opening of its 500th stand, located in Tom ...

Group 1: Walt Disney (DIS) - Disney has been a leading name in family entertainment for a century, but its stock has struggled due to a slow transition to streaming [4] - The company is now on better footing, with profitable and growing streaming services, expecting double-digit operating income growth in the entertainment segment and 18% growth in sports for the current fiscal year [5][6] - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 32% year over year to $3.22, and operating income in entertainment rose 79% to $2.96 billion [6] - Disney's direct-to-consumer segment turned a $91 million loss into a $629 million profit, and the company is preparing to launch its ESPN streaming app [7] - The theme park business remains strong, with plans to add a new park in Dubai, indicating potential for stock price growth [8] Group 2: e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) - e.l.f. Beauty is becoming the preferred mass cosmetics brand in the U.S., reporting growth despite a challenging macroeconomic environment [10] - The company appeals to younger consumers through eco-conscious branding, diversity campaigns, and low prices, gaining market share while competitors decline [11][13] - e.l.f. holds the No. 1 spot in color cosmetics unit share, with a 23% increase in fiscal 2025, and a 24% year-over-year increase in dollar share [13] - The company is investing in skincare and expanding its retail presence, including the acquisition of the Rhode brand [14] - Despite a 37% decline in stock over the past year, it is now seen as a buying opportunity at 28 times forward one-year earnings [15] Group 3: Dutch Bros (BROS) - Dutch Bros is an emerging player in the drive-thru coffee market, with 1,012 locations across 18 states and plans to reach 2,029 shops by 2029 [16] - The company reported a 29% year-over-year revenue growth last quarter, with same-shop sales growth of 4.7% in Q1 [17] - Dutch Bros offers a diverse menu beyond coffee, including lemonades and energy drinks, and is testing food options to enhance sales [18] - The company is profitable, with net income rising to $22.5 million last quarter, indicating effective growth strategy execution [19] - The stock has increased over 50% in the past year, trading at a price-to-sales multiple of 5.5, suggesting a promising investment opportunity as it expands [20]

Core Viewpoint - Dutch Bros is a rapidly growing handcrafted beverage chain with a unique culture and strong customer loyalty, making it an attractive investment opportunity despite its significant share price increase over the past year [1][2]. Company Culture and Customer Loyalty - Dutch Bros emphasizes speed, quality, and service, with a focus on customizable drinks, primarily served through drive-thru locations [3]. - The company differentiates itself from traditional coffee chains, with 87% of its drinks being iced or blended, and a diverse product mix including coffee, energy drinks, smoothies, teas, and lemonades [4]. - A significant 72% of sales come from Dutch Rewards members, indicating strong customer loyalty and engagement [5]. - The Dutch Rewards program facilitates direct communication with loyal customers, influencing product offerings and service improvements [6]. - Dutch Bros has received numerous customer service awards and ranks highly as an employer, attracting a large number of job applications [7]. Growth Potential - Dutch Bros currently operates around 1,000 locations, with plans to expand to 2,029 by 2029 and a long-term goal of over 7,000 stores [9]. - The majority of its stores are concentrated in five states, highlighting significant growth opportunities in other regions of the U.S. [10]. - The brand's appeal is resonating in new markets, as evidenced by strong store openings and a pipeline of experienced operator candidates [11]. - Existing locations are expected to become more profitable over time, supported by a 15-year streak of same-store sales growth [12]. Financial Health and Self-Funding - Dutch Bros is generating improving cash from operations (CFO), which is crucial for funding its growth without diluting shareholder value [13][14]. - The company has reached breakeven free cash flow (FCF), allowing it to fund expansion plans internally [16]. - For instance, Dutch Bros plans to invest $250 million in capital expenditures for 160 new stores in 2025, primarily funded by its CFO of $242 million generated over the last year [17]. - Despite a high valuation of 53 times CFO, the company's growth potential may justify this premium [18]. Summary of Strengths - Loyal customer base [19] - Top-tier culture and brand [19] - Potential to double store count by 2029 [19] - Opportunity for sevenfold growth in locations over the long term [19] - Track record of consistent same-store sales growth [19] - Improving cash from operations generation [19] - Potential to reduce shareholder dilution [19]