Latest news with #Penna
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I tried McDonald's long-anticipated Snack Wraps, and they were completely worth the wait
McDonald's Snack Wraps have made their big comeback after being discontinued in 2016. Fans have been begging for their return, and I understand why. I tried both flavors — I preferred the new spicy version, but also liked the ranch Snack Wrap. McDonald's Snack Wraps are back, and they're just as good as we remembered. One of the most highly anticipated fast-food releases of the year, McDonald's Snack Wraps returned to nationwide menus on July 10. They're available in two different flavors and cost $2.99 each, excluding tax and fees. The wraps are made with the chain's new chicken tenders, which launched in May, plus lettuce, shredded cheese, and either ranch or the chain's new spicy-pepper sauce. The Snack Wraps disappeared from many menus in 2016, before being officially discontinued by the chain in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce menu offerings. A 2020 petition to bring back the wraps gained more than 18,000 signatures, proving fans' hunger for their return. "Consumers are facing endless uncertainty today, whether it be tariffs or inflation," Michael Della Penna, chief strategy officer at InMarket, which publishes a quarterly report on fast-casual restaurant customer loyalty and restaurant productivity, told Business Insider. "Returning to classic favorites like the Snack Wrap or the McRib, which McDonald's brought back last winter, gives customers a chance to go back to the days when they enjoyed older menu items, creating more excitement around visiting," Penna continued. I tried both new flavors to see if they're worth the hype and the years of fans begging for them to return. I arrived at my local McDonald's just as they began serving lunch. There were no signs outside advertising the new Snack Wraps, but luckily, I've known they were coming for weeks. The McDonald's was pretty busy considering it was still early in the day. Taking a quick look around the restaurant, I couldn't see anyone else chowing down on the new Snack Wraps. Most people seemed to be finishing up their breakfast. Others waited for their pickup orders. I placed my order at one of the kiosks, which advertised that the Snack Wrap was back. The Snack Wraps are sold separately for $2.99 each but are also available as a combo meal, which includes two wraps — either the same flavor or one of each — fries, and a drink. "The value wars continue," Penna told BI. "The return of the Snack Wrap not only checks the nostalgia box, but with its price tag of $2.99, it leans into the fact that consumers are increasingly shopping for value." At home, I opened up the bag to find two neatly wrapped packages. Both wraps are made with McDonald's new chicken tenders. McDonald's launched its new McCrispy Strips on May 5, marking the first time chicken strips have been on the menu nationwide since the pandemic. Snack Wraps were also officially cut from menus due to menu simplification at the start of the pandemic. The spicy Snack Wrap features a new spicy-pepper sauce. This is the newest iteration of the Snack Wrap. When the item first left the menu in 2016, it was available with a ranch or honey-mustard sauce. When I peeked inside the wrap, there was a generous amount of sauce slathered on the chicken tender, cheese, and shredded lettuce. The chicken tender was crispy and juicy, balanced out by the spicy sauce. The lettuce was fresh, and overall I was impressed by the size of these wraps. Despite being snack-sized, I found one filling enough for a quick and easy lunch. The spicy sauce did pack a punch — it didn't leave my mouth tingling from the heat, but it had enough kick to justify the spicy name. I also enjoyed the ranch version of the Snack Wrap. The ranch version tasted lighter, but still had a solid amount of flavor. The creamy ranch balanced out the fresh-tasting lettuce and the crispy chicken tender. I'm happy to see the Snack Wrap back on the menu at McDonald's. For a fast — and relatively healthy — lunch, these wraps hit all the right notes. From the low price point to the crispy chicken and diverse flavor options, I can see why fans have been begging for their return for years. In a time when fast-food customers are inundated with limited-time-only collabs and out-there flavor profiles like pickle-glazed wings or Takis-covered chicken sandwiches, sometimes going back to basics is best.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Well-loved Hull ice cream seller Anne Penna dies
A well-loved ice cream seller from Hull has died aged Penna, who set up Penna's ice cream kiosk in the city's Pearson Park in 1969 with her husband, Frank, died on Friday, her family kiosk was closed for most of last week, with a notice saying the closure was for "family reasons".Anne had been living with dementia in the latter years of her life and had been looked after by her children. Her son, Francesco Penna, said she had been receiving palliative care and died in the early hours of Friday and Frank hadn't worked in the kiosk for some time but, until recently, the pair would regularly spend time there, seeing their children and greeting Ingram, 59, who regularly goes to the kiosk to meet with friends, said: "In the 70s when I was eight, I would rest my chin on the counter and Anne, with her long black hair, would serve us cider refreshers."She was a lovely, kind lady, always with her twinkly smile."Sammy Sampson, 41, another regular, added: "Anne was a beautiful soul and often gave the kids free ice-cream." Click here to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Springfield student receives early acceptance to U.S. Military Academy at West Point
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – In a little over two months, a senior at the Springfield Renaissance School, Damon Penna, will be heading to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Penna will be heading to West Point on June 30, then begin seven weeks of boot camp. Throughout high school, he has been involved in a variety of activities to prepare him for this moment. Top athletes prepare for the 129th Boston Marathon 'I'm very involved,' Penna said. 'NHS President, Student Council President, I do a bunch of stuff with our 'crew,' which is kind of like a Renaissance tradition. Outside of school, I'm part of three different sports, starts with soccer, then swimming, and volleyball.' A bright future is ahead for this Springfield student turned cadet. West Point in New York is a highly selective U.S. military academy committed to turning cadets into Army officers. 'I have uncles in the army, but also just learning about U.S. history and learning about what the army has done for our country has influenced me,' Penna said. A big part of Penna's life is service. He frequently volunteers with his grandparents after church. 'The sandwich ministry that we are a part of for our church is a weekly thing,' Penna said. 'We go to mass at 10:00 a.m., and right after we have our sandwich ministry, where we usually make around 400 sandwiches, then go to downtown Springfield to pass them out.' Penna said that his advice to underclassmen is to continue working hard and to follow your passion. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ACC Ltd (BOM:500410) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth Amid Operational ...
Revenue: INR9,329 crores for Q3 FY25. EBITDA: INR1,712 crores with a margin of 18.4% for Q3 FY25. EBITDA per Tonne: INR1,048 for Q3 FY25. Operational Costs: INR4,618 per tonne for Q3 FY25. Energy Costs: Reduced by 7% due to better fuel management. Transportation Costs: Declined by 6% to INR1,239 per tonne. Cash and Cash Equivalents: INR8,755 crores as of December 31. Net Worth: Approximately INR63,000 crores. Ready-Mix Plants: Reached 100 with eight new plants commissioned in Q3 FY25. Limestone Reserves: 631 million tonnes secured in Q3 FY25. Green Power Share: Increased to 21.5% from 15.8%. Lead Distance: Reduced by 4 kilometers to 85 kilometers. Direct Dispatch: Increased by 700 bps to 57%. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with BOM:500410. Release Date: January 29, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. ACC Ltd (BOM:500410) achieved a revenue of INR9,329 crores, driven by strong focus on micro market management strategy and expansion of dealer network. Operational costs for the quarter decreased due to a 7% decline in energy costs, attributed to better fuel management and increased use of green power. The company commissioned a 200-megawatt solar power project in Gujarat and secured 631 million tonnes of new limestone reserves. ACC Ltd (BOM:500410) plans to expand its cement capacity to 140 million tonnes by FY28, with several new facilities and expansions underway. The company is making significant progress in its ESG commitments, aiming for net zero by 2050 and increasing the share of green power in its operations. EBITDA per tonne was reported at INR1,048, with concerns raised about the operational performance and cost structures of newly acquired assets. The company faced higher costs due to shutdowns for maintenance and retrofitting at several plants, impacting overall performance. Realization per tonne decreased sequentially, with challenges in maintaining premium pricing amidst market conditions. The integration of newly acquired assets like Penna and Sanghi is still in progress, with current utilization levels below optimal. There is a significant increase in other expenses, partly due to consolidation of new acquisitions and higher consumption of stores and spares. Q: Why has the operating performance dropped significantly this quarter, especially in terms of EBITDA per tonne? A: Ajay Kapur, CEO: The volume growth was strong at 16.7%, but the inclusion of Penna and Sanghi volumes, which have higher cost structures, impacted overall costs. Additionally, several plants were under maintenance, affecting inventory and costs. We expect improvements as these assets ramp up to higher utilization levels next year. Q: Can you explain the sequential drop in realization despite industry price hikes? A: Ajay Kapur, CEO: The drop is due to the consolidation of sales from markets with depressed prices, particularly in the South. The price increases in December will reflect more in Q4 results. Q: What is the current cost differential for Penna and Sanghi compared to traditional capacities? A: Ajay Kapur, CEO: Currently, costs for Sanghi and Penna are about 10% to 15% higher than Ambuja's. We expect to reduce these costs by implementing various initiatives, including waste heat recovery and alternate fuels. Q: How do you view the industry supply curve and its impact on pricing? A: Ajay Kapur, CEO: Indias demand is expected to grow at 8%, requiring additional capacity. While new capacity additions may create short-term pressure, responsible capacity building is necessary to avoid higher consumer prices. We expect pricing to stabilize as demand catches up. Q: What is the expected timeline for receiving the INR4,500 crore incentives? A: Ajay Kapur, CEO: These incentives are expected to be received over the next seven to nine years, contributing approximately INR500 crore annually. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ambuja Cements Ltd (BOM:500425) Q3 FY25 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth Amid ...
Revenue: INR9,329 crores for Q3 FY25. EBITDA: INR1,712 crores with a margin of 18.4% for Q3 FY25. EBITDA per Tonne: INR1,048 for Q3 FY25. Operational Costs: INR4,618 per tonne for Q3 FY25. Energy Costs: Reduced by 7% due to better fuel management. Transportation Costs: Declined by 6% to INR1,239 per tonne. Cash and Cash Equivalents: INR8,755 crores as of December 31. Net Worth: Approximately INR63,000 crores, up by INR12,000 crores since April. EBITDA Margin for Nine Months: 16.3% with EBITDA of INR4,103 crores. Ready-Mix Plants: Eight new plants commissioned, reaching 100 total. Limestone Reserves: 631 million tonnes secured in Q3 FY25. Green Power Share: Increased to 21.5% from 15.8% in power mix. Lead Distance: Reduced by 4 kilometers to 85 kilometers. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with BOM:500425. Release Date: January 29, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Ambuja Cements Ltd (BOM:500425) achieved a revenue of INR9,329 crores in Q3 FY25, driven by strong market management and expansion of its dealer network. The company commissioned a 200-megawatt solar power project in Gujarat and secured 631 million tonnes of new limestone reserves. Operational costs decreased due to a 7% decline in energy costs and a 6% reduction in transportation costs. EBITDA stood at INR1,712 crores with a margin of 18.4%, supported by cost improvements and increased direct dispatch to customers. The company is on track to expand its cement capacity to 140 million tonnes by FY28, with several new facilities and expansions underway. The operating performance was weaker than expected, with EBITDA per tonne dropping to INR537 when adjusted for incentives. Realization per tonne decreased sequentially, despite industry-wide price hikes in December and January. The newly acquired assets, Sanghi and Penna, are still underutilized, operating at sub-40% and sub-50% capacity, respectively. There was a significant increase in other expenses, partly due to higher consumption of stores and spares for maintenance. The company faces challenges in ramping up the newly acquired assets to full operational efficiency, impacting overall cost structures. Q: Why has the operating performance dropped significantly, with EBITDA per tonne only at INR 537 after removing one-time incentives? A: Ajay Kapur, CEO, explained that while volume growth was strong at 16.7%, the inclusion of Penna and Sanghi volumes, which have higher cost structures and lower capacity utilization, impacted overall costs. Additionally, several plants were under maintenance, affecting inventory and costs. These are expected to stabilize in the next financial year as utilization improves. Q: Can you explain the sequential drop in realization despite industry-wide price hikes? A: Ajay Kapur noted that 1.4 million tonnes of sales came from markets with depressed prices, particularly in the South. The price increases in December will reflect more in Q4 results. Q: What is the current cost differential for Penna and Sanghi compared to traditional capacities? A: Ajay Kapur stated that both Penna and Sanghi have costs about 10% to 15% higher than Ambuja's traditional costs. Initiatives are underway to reduce these costs, with expectations of significant improvements as capacity utilization increases. Q: How does Ambuja plan to achieve the targeted cost reduction to INR 3,650 per tonne? A: Ajay Kapur outlined several initiatives, including increasing green power usage, optimizing logistics, and improving operational efficiencies. These efforts are expected to progressively reduce costs over the next few years, with significant savings anticipated from captive coal mines and other projects. Q: What is the expected timeline for receiving the INR 4,500 crore in incentives? A: Ajay Kapur mentioned that these incentives are expected to be received over the next seven to nine years, with an annual addition of approximately INR 500 crores on top of the current INR 600 crores from expanded capacity. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
