Latest news with #Groth
Miami Herald
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
McDonald's analyst grills new stock price target on McCrispy reaction
Okay, people, so what do you think of McDonald's' McCrispy Strips? "Hey @McDonalds please stop hyping up your much delayed chicken snack wraps with your new McCrispy strips that have the texture of octopus and the flavor of a tire on a dirt road," one person said on X. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter "You'll never be @Popeyes because they beat you to it, and these were delicious. Give up now, clown." All right, all right, don't sugarcoat it. Tell us how you really McFeel. "Yes," another poster said. "One bite of this clump of hard rubber was enough for me." "to me they were awful. rubbery and not crispy at all. super chewy and no flavor :/," another person declared on Reddit. "They're spongy and soggy," yet another complained. "Never again." Okay, so we're getting a social-media vibe now. And more important, an investment firm is getting a negative buzz as well. Now, to be fair, some people had nice things to say about McCrispy Strips, especially when they're paired with the new creamy chili dip. And many customers liked MCD's use of 100% white meat. "McDonald's promised that the strips are made with 'juicy, 100% white meat' and they weren't lying," Leah Groth wrote in on April 30. "McDonald's promised that the strips are made with 'juicy, 100% white meat' and they weren't lying," Leah Groth wrote in Eat This Not That on April 30. "While the uber-popular McNugget is made from ground chicken meat and shaped into a dippable form, the McCrispy is an actual strip of whole chicken meat, putting McDonald's on the shortlist of fast-food chains that use real chicken for their tenders," she added. Groth called the McCrispy tasty and spicy without the help of a dip, but she added that the creamy chili dip "seriously elevated the taste to next-level status." McDonald's (MCD) unveiled McCrispy Strips in April, and on May 5 they became available at all participating restaurants nationwide. The move marked the first time since 2021 that the fast-food giant introduced a permanent menu item in the U.S. Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski told analysts during the first-quarter-earnings call in May that the launch of McCrispy Chicken Strips should contribute to growth. But he warned that "we remain cautious about the overall health of the consumer. Related: McDonald's CEO sounds alarm on major customer problem "We entered 2025 knowing that it would be a challenging time for the [quick-service-restaurant] industry, due to macroeconomic uncertainty and pressures weighing on the consumer. "During the first quarter, geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected." While the Chicago company narrowly beat Wall Street's earnings expectations for the quarter, revenue fell short and U.S. same-store sales shrank 3.6%, the worst showing since the 8.7% tumble of Q2 2020 and the Covid pandemic lockdown. McDonald's shares are up 6.3% in 2025 and up 18% from a year ago. "The key for us now for the balance of the year is about execution," Kempczinski said. "And in an environment where there is a pressured consumer, you've got to simply outexecute your competitors. "And that means you've got to outexecute them on your value programs, you've got to outexecute them when it comes to marketing and menu innovation." Kempczinski talked about a halo benefit from the McCrispy to set up the reintroduction of the Snack Wrap, which is slated to return to McDonald's menus on July 10. But Loop Capital analyst Alton Stump wasn't so sure and downgraded McDonald's to hold from buy and cutting his price target to $315 from $346. Related: Popular chicken chain launches its version of McDonald's wraps The analyst said on June 6 that he had "growing concerns" that McDonald's' domestic comparison growth profile would not rebound as much as expected over the remainder of 2025. Customer feedback about the chicken strips has to date been predominantly negative, he said. That does not bode well ahead of McDonald's pending Snack Wrap introduction, which will include the new chicken strip, he said. Stump said he'd based his prior positive view of the shares on the company's ability to rejuvenate U.S. same-store sales via these two new products. McDonald's did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Related: Fund-management veteran skips emotion in investment strategy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
The Advertiser
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Liberal turmoil continues over drunken rort allegations
Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria. Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria. Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria. Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria.
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Liberal turmoil continues over drunken rort allegations
Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria.
West Australian
30-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Liberal turmoil continues over drunken rort allegations
Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘The entire party is imploding': Groth, Pesutto, Deeming turning Liberal headache into a migraine
Opposition Leader Brad Battin has acknowledged tensions in his party room as former leader John Pesutto prepares to be served bankruptcy proceedings by Liberal colleague Moira Deeming. Battin was also forced to defend his deputy, Sam Groth, on Friday over reports Groth had misled opposition frontbencher Georgie Crozier to access her chauffeur-driven car after a fundraiser at the Australian Open last year. The Herald Sun on Friday reported Groth had asked to borrow Crozier's driver for work reasons but used the car to get home to Rye after a fundraiser at the tennis. Crozier, who was leader of the opposition in the upper house at the time, told reporters on Friday that she wanted answers. 'I'm incredibly disappointed,' Crozier said outside the opposition's budget reply lunch. 'Sam needs to explain his actions.' Groth, the opposition's spokesman for tourism, sport, events and hospitality, said he attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official and personal capacity. 'I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative,' Groth said in a statement on Friday. 'Everything was and is above board. It has all been officially disclosed. There is nothing to hide.'
