Latest news with #BlackBox
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cheesecake Factory Inc (CAKE) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Sales and Strategic ...
Total Revenue: $956 million. Adjusted Net Income Margin: 5.8%. Cheesecake Factory Sales: $683.3 million, up 1% year-over-year. Cheesecake Factory Comparable Sales: Increased 1.2%. North Italia Sales: $90.8 million, up 20% year-over-year. Flower Child Sales: $48.2 million, up 35% year-over-year. Flower Child Comparable Sales: Increased 4%. Restaurant Openings: Eight new restaurants opened in Q2. Cheesecake Factory Restaurant Margin: Increased to 18.5%, up 80 basis points year-over-year. North Italia Restaurant Margin: Improved 290 basis points to 18.2%. Flower Child Restaurant Margin: Reached 20.4%. Cash Balance: $148.8 million. Total Debt: $644 million. Capital Expenditures: Approximately $42 million in Q2. Shareholder Returns: $14.3 million returned via dividends. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with KRC. Release Date: July 29, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Cheesecake Factory Inc (NASDAQ:CAKE) reported second quarter results that exceeded expectations, with consolidated revenues and adjusted earnings per share setting new milestones. The company achieved a record high average weekly sales and realized unit volumes of nearly $12.8 million for the quarter. Cheesecake Factory's four-wall restaurant margin increased to 18.5%, the highest level recorded in eight years. The company successfully opened eight new restaurants in the second quarter and plans to open as many as 25 new restaurants in 2025. Flower Child, a concept under Cheesecake Factory Inc, saw second quarter comparable sales increase by 4%, significantly outperforming the Black Box fast casual dining index. Negative Points Comparable sales for North Italia declined by 1%, partly due to the impact of Los Angeles fires and sales transfer from new restaurants. Cheesecake Factory's traffic was down 1.1% in the second quarter, despite a 4% increase in net effective pricing. Other operating expenses increased by 40 basis points, primarily driven by higher facility-related costs. Pre-opening costs rose to $9 million in the quarter compared to $7 million in the prior year period. The company recorded a pre-tax net expense of $1.2 million related to FRC acquisition-related items and impairment of assets and lease termination expenses. Q & A Highlights Q: As it relates to the increase in the net income margin for 2025 from 4.75% to 4.9%, is this primarily operationally driven at the store level? A: Matthew Clark, CFO: Yes, the improvement is operationally driven. Our expectations for the four-wall margin have increased due to better-than-expected Q2 results, reflecting operational excellence and stable sales trends. Q: Can you provide some perspective on labor retention levels relative to pre-pandemic or prior peaks? A: David Gordon, President: Our staff and management retention levels are as good as or better than pre-pandemic levels, driven by our strong company culture and career growth opportunities. This retention helps reduce overtime and training costs, contributing to labor productivity. Q: On Cheesecake Factory, can you share the Q2 breakdown related to price and mix and the implied traffic? A: Matthew Clark, CFO: The net effective pricing in Q2 was about 4% for Cheesecake Factory. Traffic was down 1.1%, and mix accounted for the balance. We aim to improve traffic while maintaining stable sales. Q: Did the February menu update lead to a noticeable customer response in terms of innovation? A: David Gordon, President: Yes, the new menu items were highlighted on a separate card to ensure visibility. The previous menu change in February showed good stickiness, and we expect the new menu to be equally or more successful. Q: Can you provide insights on Flower Child's profitability and unit economics? A: Matthew Clark, CFO: Flower Child's mature unit margins reached 20.4%, with AUVs approaching $5 million. The concept is performing exceptionally well, with returns in the mid-30s, and we expect it to play a larger role in our results going forward. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 best Prime Video movies with a surprising twist
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There's nothing quite like the thrill of a movie that keeps you guessing with a killer twist, and with Prime Video packed full of solid picks, you're spoiled for choice. These movies don't just surprise you, they flip the whole story on its head, even if you think you've got it all figured out. If you want a Prime Video movie that'll leave you reeling, you're in the right spot. Below are my top picks for movies with twists so good, you won't see them coming. And don't worry, no spoilers here. Just pure, unfiltered suspense you can stream right now. 'All the Old Knives' (2022) 'All the Old Knives' is a slow-burn spy thriller that's as much about personal drama as it is about espionage. Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton play two agents whose past comes back to haunt them in unexpected ways. Set years after a failed terrorist attack, Henry (Pine) is called back for a debriefing with his ex-lover and former colleague Celia (Newton). As they revisit the events that led to the disaster, old wounds resurface, loyalties are questioned, and secrets threaten to undo them both. Stream it on Prime Video 'Black Box' (2021) I'm someone who loves sharing a great movie find with friends and family, as there's something really satisfying about recommending hidden flicks that didn't get much recognition upon release. But after watching 'Black Box,' I just sat quietly, my mind spinning as I tried to process everything I'd just seen. This psychological nightmare follows Nolan (Mamoudou Athie), who loses his wife and suffers severe amnesia after a car accident. He undergoes an experimental treatment using a device called the 'Black Box' to recover memories, but begins experiencing disturbing visions, blurring the line between reality and hallucination as he questions his identity. Stream it on Prime Video 'Totally Killer' (2023) A time travel slasher might sound like an odd combination, but 'Totally Killer' proves it can work. This lively horror-comedy perfectly blends '80s vibes with a fresh, fun twist on the slasher genre. It follows seventeen-year-old Jamie (Kiernan Shipka), who accidentally time-travels back to 1987 after her mother is murdered by the notorious "Sweet Sixteen Killer." Stranded in the past, Jamie poses as a Canadian exchange student and teams up with her teen mom (Olivia Holt) to stop the original killings before history is changed forever. Packed with humor, scares, and heart, the movie is the perfect pick for anyone who loves a good scare mixed with plenty of laughs. Stream it on Prime Video 'Nanny' (2022) 'Nanny' is a haunting psychological thriller that mixes real emotion with some seriously creepy moments. It follows Aisha (Anna Diop), a Senegalese immigrant working as a nanny for a wealthy family in New York while trying to save up to bring her son over. As she deals with feeling isolated and facing microaggressions, strange visions start creeping into her life, blurring what's real and what's not. The movie takes its time, really pulling you into Aisha's world and the fears she's battling. With powerful performances and a touching look at motherhood and identity, 'Nanny' is both haunting and heartfelt, making it a movie that sticks with you long after it's over. Stream it on Prime Video 'Synchronic' (2020) I started watching 'Synchronic' without many expectations, but the visuals quickly stole the show for me. This movie doesn't just twist your mind, but it looks absolutely stunning while doing it, all thanks to Aaron Moorhead's talent for crafting striking, unforgettable imagery. Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan) respond to a series of bizarre accidents linked to a new designer drug called Synchronic. As Steve investigates further, he discovers that the drug warps the pineal gland's perception of time, sending users backward through history. With his own health declining, Steve experiments with Synchronic to find his friend's missing daughter. Stream it on Prime Video More from Tom's Guide Prime Video's new psychological thriller series gets first trailer 3 best sci-fi movies on Prime Video right now 5 best movies like 'Heads of State' to stream now Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
America's largest wine producer announces layoffs
The US' largest wine producer is closing its California winery and laying off dozens of production workers. Gallo Winery, which produces popular brands such as Barefoot, Black Box, and Dark Horse, issued the grim notice earlier this month. Gallo is permanently shutting down its winery in San Luis Obispo County and will close the facility in December. Currently, 47 production workers are preparing to hang up their hats at the winery on September 8, according to public WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) records. Employers are required to file WARN notices with the state to give workers 60 days' notice before layoffs, closures, and relocations. The layoffs are set to occur in two phases, with the first in September and additional layoffs in January, according to additional filings reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle. Gallo will continue to operate their other wineries, which includes multiple locations across California, Washington, and New York. The brand is headquartered in Modesto, California, but employs about 7,000 people worldwide, according to the company's most recent fact sheet. It is unclear how this will impact Gallo's production output, but industry sources told the Santa Maria Times that the layoffs have been common knowledge. Daily Mail reached out to Gallo for comment and additional information on the winery's closure. The American Association of Wine Economics ranked Gallo as the largest supplier in the US in 2024 with a 32.6 percent market share. Gallo dominated the market last year. The Wine Group came in second for top suppliers, but only had 10.3 percent market share. Barefoot was the top-selling table-wine brand in 2024, raking in over $555 million for Gallo, according to Statista. Last year, Wine Business Monthly ranked Gallo as the top-selling producer, with case sales estimated at $100 million. The Wine Group came in second with $45 million, and every other producer failed to crack $20 million. Despite the company's dominance in the market, the wine industry has suffered in recent years. The writing on the wall began in 2020, when wine consumption began to decrease for the first time in 25 years, the San Francisco Chronicle reported at the time, citing industry data. Last year, Wine Business Monthly ranked Gallo as the top-selling producer, with case sales estimated at $100 million. The Wine Group came in second with $45 million, and every other producer failed to crack $20 million. Despite the company's dominance in the market, the wine industry has suffered in recent years. The writing on the wall began in 2020, when wine consumption began to decrease for the first time in 25 years, the San Francisco Chronicle reported at the time, citing industry data. US wine consumption fell in 2022 from 1.06 billion total wine gallons to only 986 million, according to data from the Wine Institute. The Silicon Valley Bank's recent data on the wine industry found that after three decades of growth, wine sales have flattened. With younger generations drinking less and purchasing alternative alcoholic options like spiked seltzers, the demand for wine has decreased.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
US' largest wine producer announces round of layoffs and warns more to come
The US' largest wine producer is closing its California winery and laying off dozens of production workers. Gallo Winery, which produces popular brands such as Barefoot, Black Box, and Dark Horse, issued the grim notice earlier this month. Gallo is permanently shutting down its winery in San Luis Obispo County and will close the facility in December. Currently 47 production workers are preparing to hang up their hats at the winery on September 8, according to public WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) records. Employers are required to file WARN notices with the state to give workers 60 days' notice before layoffs, closures, and relocations. The layoffs are set to occur in two phases, with the first in September and additional layoffs in January, according to additional filings reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle. Gallo will continue to operate their other wineries, which includes multiple locations across California, Washington, and New York. The brand is headquartered in Modesto, California, but employs about 7,000 people worldwide, according to the company's most recent fact sheet. It is unclear how this will impact Gallo's production output, but industry sources told the Santa Maria Times that the layoffs have been common knowledge. Daily Mail reached out to Gallo for comment and additional information on the winery's closure. The American Association of Wine Economics ranked Gallo as the largest supplier in the US in 2024 with a 32.6 percent market share. Gallo dominated the market last year. The Wine Group came in second for top suppliers, but only had 10.3 percent market share. Barefoot was the top selling table-wine brand in 2024, raking in over $555 million for Gallo, according to Statista. Last year, Wine Business Monthly ranked Gallo as the top selling producer, with case sales estimated at $100 million. The Wine Group came in second with $45 million, and every other producer failed to crack $20 million. Despite the company's dominance in the market, the wine industry has suffered in recent years. The writing on the wall began in 2020, when wine consumption began to decrease for the first time in 25 years, the San Francisco Chronicle reported at the time, citing industry data. US wine consumption fell in 2022 from 1.06 billion total wine gallons to only 986 million, according to data from the Wine Institute. The Silicon Valley Bank's recent data on the wine industry found that after three decades of growth, wine sales have flattened. The wine industry has struggled with decreases in demand as younger generations turn away from drinking or opt for canned beverages instead With younger generations drinking less and purchasing alternative alcoholic options like spiked seltzers, the demand for wine has decreased. 'The decline in the wine-friendly Boomer population and a change in the sentiment towards alcohol have led to the continued reduction in demand,' the Silicon Valley Bank concluded. The industry has had to downsize due to decreased demand. Gallo was forced to sell their facilities in Edna Valley and Templeton last year.
Mint
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Air India crash: 112 pilots called in sick on June 16 after AI-171 tragedy, airline saw spike in leaves
The Central government informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday, July 24 that many pilots linked to Air India reported sick after AI-171 plane crash on June 12 that killed 260 people. On June 16, a total of 112 pilots across Air India's fleet reported sick after the tragic plane crash, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said. London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed just outside the Ahmedabad airport seconds after takeoff. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was on his way to London, was also killed in the plane crash. The pilots who reported sick included 51 commanders and 61 first officers. The response came to an unstarred question raised by MP Jai Prakash regarding reports of mass sick leave among Air India flight crew after the incident. Speaking of the mental well-being of the flight crew after the Air India plane crash, the minister said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already issued a circular in February 2023 with detailed guidelines on mental health support for flight crews and Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs). The guidelines included easy and quick mental health checks by DGCA-approved medical examiners during regular medical exams and special training modules to help crew and ATCOs understand and deal with mental health challenges. It also includes a Peer Support Programme (PSP) designed to let employees seek help in a safe, supportive environment—without fear of disciplinary action. Earlier, on July 21, answering a question about the probe into the AI-171 crash, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu that the decoding of the Black Box had occurred in India for the first time. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Naidu said, "First set of the probe is done and a preliminary report is out. Earlier, whenever Black Box had slight damage, the black box used to be sent to the manufacturer for decoding. For the first time, the decoding of the Black Box has happened in India." Lauding the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Naidu said that the agency is 'unbiased.'
