Latest news with #FIX
Ottawa Citizen
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa's original Italian gelato maker has a thing for Dubai chocolate
Article content Access: steps to front door Article content Article content The closest Joe Calabro had come to tasting the flavours of Dubai was watching the episode of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix dedicated to exploring food in the super-trendy city in the United Arab Emirates. Article content Article content But that didn't stop the veteran Ottawa pastry chef and gelato maker from creating his of-the-moment frozen confection, pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato, which riffs — deliciously, I should add — on the much-hyped FIX brand Dubai chocolate bars that have captivated more than 125,000,000 TikTok users. Article content Article content Since it was introduced five months ago at Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana, Calabro's 46-year-old store on Preston Street, pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato has been among the top sellers. Yes, it's trendy. But more importantly, Calabro has perfectly balanced his creation's flavours — the complex mix of its pistachio base, chocolate ganache, sesame paste, crunchy shredded phyllo and orange blossom. Article content Article content Calabro says he came across Dubai chocolate just as everyone else did, by watching videos online. But because Calabro's a true pioneer of Italian sweets in Ottawa, the clips didn't leave him just amused and hungry. Instead, he was inspired. Article content Article content Given that Calabro introduced gelato to Ottawa in 1979, you could say this latest flavour is 46 years in the making. Article content Calabro says that after he made his trial batch, he sought feedback from both Arab employees and customers. (The store attracts 'the United Nations' when it comes to its customers, Calabro says.) Calabro's focus group thought his new gelato was spot-on, he says. Article content Word of Calabro's pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato has spread and new, younger customers are coming to the store, he adds. Article content In his showcase, Calabro has one of Ottawa's largest selections of frozen desserts, including 18 types of gelato and 12 sorbets. Flavours come and go, as Calabro keeps on inventing, hoping to develop new crowd-pleasers while staving off his own boredom. That's why, for example, there are currently six kinds of chocolate gelato behind the glass at Calabro's store — chocolate brownie, chocolate bomb, chocolate sacher, chocolate orange, chocolate bacio and Belgian chocolate.
Calgary Herald
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Ottawa's original Italian gelato maker has a thing for Dubai chocolate
Article content Access: steps to front door Article content Article content The closest Joe Calabro had come to tasting the flavours of Dubai was watching the episode of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix dedicated to exploring food in the super-trendy city in the United Arab Emirates. Article content Article content But that didn't stop the veteran Ottawa pastry chef and gelato maker from creating his of-the-moment frozen confection, pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato, which riffs — deliciously, I should add — on the much-hyped FIX brand Dubai chocolate bars that have captivated more than 125,000,000 TikTok users. Article content Article content Since it was introduced five months ago at Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana, Calabro's 46-year-old store on Preston Street, pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato has been among the top sellers. Yes, it's trendy. But more importantly, Calabro has perfectly balanced his creation's flavours — the complex mix of its pistachio base, chocolate ganache, sesame paste, crunchy shredded phyllo and orange blossom. Article content Article content Calabro says he came across Dubai chocolate just as everyone else did, by watching videos online. But because Calabro's a true pioneer of Italian sweets in Ottawa, the clips didn't leave him just amused and hungry. Instead, he was inspired. Article content Article content Given that Calabro introduced gelato to Ottawa in 1979, you could say this latest flavour is 46 years in the making. Article content Calabro says that after he made his trial batch, he sought feedback from both Arab employees and customers. (The store attracts 'the United Nations' when it comes to its customers, Calabro says.) Calabro's focus group thought his new gelato was spot-on, he says. Article content Word of Calabro's pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato has spread and new, younger customers are coming to the store, he adds. Article content In his showcase, Calabro has one of Ottawa's largest selections of frozen desserts, including 18 types of gelato and 12 sorbets. Flavours come and go, as Calabro keeps on inventing, hoping to develop new crowd-pleasers while staving off his own boredom. That's why, for example, there are currently six kinds of chocolate gelato behind the glass at Calabro's store — chocolate brownie, chocolate bomb, chocolate sacher, chocolate orange, chocolate bacio and Belgian chocolate.
Vancouver Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa's original Italian gelato maker has a thing for Dubai chocolate
200 Preston St., 613-233-2104, Open: Wednesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Monday, Tuesday Prices: one scoop of gelato $7.95, two scoops $9.95, three scoops $11.95 Access: steps to front door The closest Joe Calabro had come to tasting the flavours of Dubai was watching the episode of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix dedicated to exploring food in the super-trendy city in the United Arab Emirates. But that didn't stop the veteran Ottawa pastry chef and gelato maker from creating his of-the-moment frozen confection, pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato, which riffs — deliciously, I should add — on the much-hyped FIX brand Dubai chocolate bars that have captivated more than 125,000,000 TikTok users. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The global social media furore around Dubai chocolate bars spawned innumerable knockoffs and culinary mashups, including these Dubai chocolate waffles made in Ottawa . Since it was introduced five months ago at Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana , Calabro's 46-year-old store on Preston Street, pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato has been among the top sellers. Yes, it's trendy. But more importantly, Calabro has perfectly balanced his creation's flavours — the complex mix of its pistachio base, chocolate ganache, sesame paste, crunchy shredded phyllo and orange blossom. 'I hit the nail on the head,' says Calabro. Calabro says he came across Dubai chocolate just as everyone else did, by watching videos online. But because Calabro's a true pioneer of Italian sweets in Ottawa, the clips didn't leave him just amused and hungry. Instead, he was inspired. Given that Calabro introduced gelato to Ottawa in 1979, you could say this latest flavour is 46 years in the making. Calabro says that after he made his trial batch, he sought feedback from both Arab employees and customers. (The store attracts 'the United Nations' when it comes to its customers, Calabro says.) Calabro's focus group thought his new gelato was spot-on, he says. Word of Calabro's pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato has spread and new, younger customers are coming to the store, he adds. In his showcase, Calabro has one of Ottawa's largest selections of frozen desserts , including 18 types of gelato and 12 sorbets. Flavours come and go, as Calabro keeps on inventing, hoping to develop new crowd-pleasers while staving off his own boredom. That's why, for example, there are currently six kinds of chocolate gelato behind the glass at Calabro's store — chocolate brownie, chocolate bomb, chocolate sacher, chocolate orange, chocolate bacio and Belgian chocolate. Thanks to its popularity, pistachio Dubai chocolate gelato will have some staying power. 'It isn't going away soon,' says Calabro, who serves gelato year-round at his store. phum@ Join us! The Ottawa Citizen is hosting an exclusive food and beverage tasting event where you can try bites from some of the city's best restaurants and sample beverages from breweries and wineries. Meet the chefs and try their signature dishes with members of the Citizen news team. Learn more about Ottawa Citizen Best Restaurants and buy a ticket here . Join us! The Ottawa Citizen is hosting an exclusive food and beverage tasting event where you can try bites from some of the city's best restaurants and sample beverages from breweries and wineries. Meet the chefs and try their signature dishes with members of the Citizen news team. Learn more about Ottawa Citizen Best Restaurants and buy a ticket here .
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Comfort Systems USA Inc (FIX) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Revenue and Strong ...
Revenue: $2.2 billion for Q2 2025, a 20% increase from last year. Net Income: $231 million, or $6.53 per share, a 70% increase from Q2 2024. Same-Store Revenue Growth: 19% for Q2 2025. Gross Profit: $510 million, with a gross profit margin of 23.5%. EBITDA: $334 million, a 50% increase from Q2 2024. Free Cash Flow: $222 million for Q2 2025. Backlog: $8.1 billion, a 41% year-over-year increase. SG&A Expense: $210 million, 9.7% of revenue. Dividend Increase: Quarterly dividend increased by $0.05 to $0.50 per share. Share Repurchases: $111 million spent year-to-date, buying approximately 326,000 shares. Mechanical Segment Revenue Growth: 13% increase. Electrical Segment Revenue Growth: 49% increase. Service Revenue Growth: 10% increase, accounting for 15% of total revenue. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with WY. Release Date: July 25, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Comfort Systems USA Inc (NYSE:FIX) reported a record quarterly revenue exceeding $2 billion for the first time. Earnings per share increased by 75% year-over-year to $6.53, showcasing strong financial performance. The company's backlog reached a new high of $8.1 billion, indicating strong future demand. The acquisition of Right Way Plumbing is expected to contribute $60 million to $70 million in annual revenue. Comfort Systems USA Inc (NYSE:FIX) increased its quarterly dividend by $0.05 to $0.50 per share, reflecting confidence in future cash flows. Negative Points The company faces ongoing tariff ambiguity and economic uncertainty, which could impact future operations. SG&A expenses increased due to investments in personnel, which could pressure margins if revenue growth slows. The advanced payment position from modular operations has normalized, potentially impacting future cash flow dynamics. Despite strong demand, the company acknowledges the challenges of recruiting and retaining skilled labor. The commercial sector, a smaller part of the business, only contributed 13% of revenue, indicating potential vulnerability in this segment. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you provide insights on the expansion of your modular capabilities and the potential for a third location? A: William George, CFO, explained that the company is focusing on incremental capacity growth and improving productivity and automation in existing spaces. While demand supports expansion, a third location is not a current priority, but the company remains open-minded about future possibilities. Q: How does the recent tax reform legislation impact Comfort Systems USA? A: William George, CFO, stated that the new tax provisions are not expected to significantly impact the company's operating results or cash flows. The bonus depreciation benefits some customers but is not a major driver for the company given the current strong demand. Q: What is the outlook for growth in 2025 and 2026, given the strong backlog and revenue growth? A: Trent McKenna, COO, expressed confidence in continued growth due to robust pipelines and strong demand, particularly in the technology sector. Brian Lane, CEO, highlighted consistent growth in service revenue and profitability, contributing to overall positive projections. Q: How is Comfort Systems USA managing workforce demands amid strong market conditions? A: Trent McKenna, COO, emphasized the company's focus on being an employer of choice and leveraging an internal staffing company to manage workforce flexibility. Collaboration among operating companies also helps in sharing labor resources effectively. Q: What is the company's approach to project selection, especially with the increasing focus on technology projects? A: Brian Lane, CEO, stated that the company maintains a diverse project portfolio, with a strong focus on technology due to current demand. The company prioritizes projects with favorable working conditions and adequate compensation for risks and services provided. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Time Out Dubai
7 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
UAE ranked safest country in the world in 2025
The United Arab Emirates has been named the world's safest country. A survey by the living database site Numbeo found that the UAE is officially the safest country in the world. With a score of 85.2 in the mid-year global safety index, the UAE climbed above Andorra into the top position, having previously placed behind the tiny European nation. Andorra, with a population of just 80,000, smaller than some neighbourhoods in Dubai, ranked behind the UAE with an index score of 84.8. Numbeo's safety index considers five different factors when coming up with its final score. The score is determined by survey responses from the last 36 months by visitors to the living database's website. The total index score is determined by general perception of crime levels, perceived safety while walking at night as well as concerns about violent crime, burglary and discrimination. A higher score means that the country is considered very safe. Scores are continuously updated on the platform. Fellow GCC countries Qatar and Oman also ranked highly, with Qatar placing in third with a score of 84.6 while Oman is in sixth with a score of 81.4. Taiwan and Macao round off the top five with total scores of 83.0 and 81.8 respectively. Elsewhere in the top 10, you'll find Isle of Man, Hong Kong, Armenia and Singapore. As for cities across the globe, the UAE can currently boast five cities in the top 10 with Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al-Khaimah and Sharjah all ranking highly. Whether you're taking a stroll around Dubai Marina or enjoying an evening around the Burj Khalifa, the city's dedication to security ensures peace of mind for everyone. Given a safety index score of 83.9, Dubai currently ranks in fourth overall behind Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Doha. Achieving a score of 88, Abu Dhabi has won the title for the last nine years in a row, while Ajman is second with a score of 85.5. Ras al-Khaimah, known for its stunning landscapes and serene vibe, holds its own at fifth place, with Doha being the only non-UAE city to place in the top five. You might also like… Dubai is officially the cleanest city in the world (again) Why the emirate has won the title again This is not a drill: FIX chocolate is now at DXB But you'll need to act fast When you can expect three Eid holidays in one year (yes, three) Eid, sleep, repeat
