Latest news with #restaurantindustry
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stifel Raises PT on Brinker International (EAT) Stock, Maintains Buy
Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) is one of the 10 Unstoppable Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On June 23, Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull upped the price target on Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)'s stock to $215 from $200, while keeping a 'Buy' rating, as reported by The Fly. The firm cited Chili's robust traffic performance and market share gains as the key reasons. A Chili's Grill & Bar restaurant filled with happy customers enjoying a meal. The firm assessed Chili's market share, growth capacity, as well as constraints, in order to determine whether or not its outperformance compared to the full-service industry will continue. Stifel opines that the chain can continue to gain market share in a fragmented category, wherein scale advantages have been more valuable. As per the analysis conducted by the firm, current traffic volume per store, despite improving from recent lows, remains well below the historical peaks. Overall, the firm concluded that Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) possesses a proven playbook that would lead to durable same-restaurant sales gains. For FY 2025, Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) expects total revenues to be in the range of $5.33 billion – $5.35 billion, and net income per diluted share (excluding special items) (non-GAAP) to be in the range of $8.50 – $8.75. While we acknowledge the potential of EAT to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than EAT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Steaks could cost more on weekend if dynamic pricing becomes normal practice, Ivy restaurant chief says
Steaks could cost more expensive on weekends if dynamic pricing becomes normal practice, the chief of the Ivy restaurant chain has warned. Jeremy King, who runs the dozens of Ivy restaurants across the country, said that while he was personally 'really uncomfortable' with the practice, he admitted it was 'fair' for restaurants to sell tables to customers willing to spend a certain amount of money. Dynamic pricing is the practice of changing the cost of a product or service depending on demand. It came under fire after Oasis tickets were sold under the practice, leading to a slew of complaints from customers who felt they were overcharged. King, 71, told the Go To Food podcast: 'I don't begrudge the restaurants, for instance, which are using the apps to sell tables in advance because they've got fed up with people who book months in advance and then spend the entire meal taking photographs of themselves and of the food, ordering the absolute minimum they can just so they can put it on social media. 'So hold the tables back and those restaurants that say if you're willing to pay £200 we have a table for you on a Saturday, I think that's fair. 'I don't like the encroaching dynamic pricing whereby your steak is going to cost more on a Saturday night than it is on a Monday night, that makes me really uncomfortable but that's coming through. We've already seen it in the theatre.' Earlier this year, King gave diners who went to two of his restaurants, Arlington and The Park, a 25% discount if they ate after 9pm in order to encourage later dining times. In February, Disney came under fire after it said that tickets to its American theme parks would jump with demand under a new dynamic pricing plan. Currently, entry to Walt Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland near LA is priced based on pre-set peak and off-peak dates. Under the expected plan—already rolled out at Disneyland Paris—ticket prices at the US parks will fluctuate in real-time based on demand. The new scheme —which would cause huge variations in price —could be introduced by the the end of March, Richard Greenfield of closely-watched Wall Street researchers Lightshed Partners said on Friday. Disney fan Jasmin Guevara, who lives in LA and regularly visits Disneyland in nearby Anaheim, said: 'Does Disney have no shame? 'It has jacked up prices time and time again in the past few years. This will just be another way to squeeze even more money out of me and my family.' Greenfield, respected investor and analyst, explained the timing. He wrote: 'Given the early success of Disneyland Paris' pricing strategy shift, we expect Disney to announce it is moving to a similar airline-style, dynamic pricing plan in the US later in Q1 2025.'
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Meet a Scientologist Gets into the Spirit of Gourmet Burgers with Akio Kitaura
LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 23, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Network's MEET A SCIENTOLOGIST, the weekly series spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists from around the world and all walks of life, announces an episode featuring gourmet hamburger restaurateur Akio Kitaura. MEET A SCIENTOLOGIST airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network. After taking his first bite out of the iconic food of the West, Akio Kitaura set out to make his dream of crafting the very best hamburgers in Japan come true. By remaining faithful to a philosophy that states, 'If you don't put your spirit inside, it's not a good product,' his gourmet hamburger restaurants have been ranked the top in Japan for several years running and have been spotlighted in nearly 100 television and magazine features. ABOUT AKIO KITAURA Born in Tokyo, Akio Kitaura was unsure of his path after college until a chance visit to a hamburger restaurant in Australia sparked a passion that would shape his life's work. He launched Brozers' Hamburgers with his brother, aiming to blend the traditional American burger with Japanese craftsmanship. The name—a twist on brothers —was chosen to represent their partnership, with the Z symbolizing their determination to see their vision through to the end. From a single spot to five bustling locations, Brozers' now spans multiple neighborhoods, all serving up his signature gourmet burgers. Akio is now a revered mentor and uses his experience and business philosophy to guide his employees to become successful restaurateurs of their own. ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY NETWORK Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018, launched by David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. Since then, Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization and presenting its Social Betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross-section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network's innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards. Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms. Learn more: MULTIMEDIA: Photo link for media: Photo Caption: Akio Kitaura, the visionary behind Brozers' Hamburgers, showcases his passion for crafting gourmet burgers that blend American tradition with Japanese craftsmanship. His dedication to quality and spirit has made Brozers' a top-ranked burger destination in Japan. (Photo Credit: Scientology Network) NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International Keywords: Religion and Churches, MEET A SCIENTOLOGIST, Akio Kitaura, Brozers' Hamburgers, Scientology Network, LOS ANGELES, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127103 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Darden to Explore Strategic Alternatives for Bahama Breeze Chain
Darden Restaurants (DRI, Financials) said it is considering strategic alternatives for its Caribbean-themed chain Bahama Breeze, including a potential sale or conversion of locations to other Darden brands. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Sign with DRI. The announcement follows the closure of 15 Bahama Breeze restaurants in May, leaving 28 locations in operation. CEO Rick Cardenas told analysts that the brand no longer fits within Darden's long-term portfolio strategy. He added that the company does not plan to invest further in the chain and believes it may perform better under different ownership. Bahama Breeze, launched in the 1990s, is known for its tropical-themed menu and decor. Cardenas said the decision came after a strategic portfolio review that concluded the brand is not a priority moving forward. Darden's portfolio includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Yard House, and other well-known names. The company reported fiscal 2026 sales growth expectations of 7% to 8%, and its market capitalization stood at $26.06 billion on Friday. The update was disclosed during Darden's fourth-quarter earnings call. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Darden Restaurants Inc (DRI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Sales Growth and ...
Total Sales: $3.3 billion, a 10.6% increase from the prior year. Same-Restaurant Sales Growth: 4.6% for the fourth quarter. Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share: Increased 12.5% to $2.98. Adjusted EBITDA: $582 million for the fourth quarter. Dividends and Share Repurchases: $215 million returned to shareholders, including $164 million in dividends and $51 million in share repurchases. Olive Garden Same-Restaurant Sales Growth: 6.9% for the quarter. Olive Garden Segment Profit Margin: 23.8%, 100 basis points higher than last year. LongHorn Steakhouse Same-Restaurant Sales Growth: 6.7% for the quarter. LongHorn Steakhouse Segment Profit Margin: 20.1%, 80 basis points above last year. Fine Dining Segment Sales Increase: 2.3% with six net new restaurants. Other Business Segment Sales Increase: 22.4%, driven by the acquisition of Chuy's and positive same-restaurant sales at Yard House and Cheddar's. Fiscal Year Total Sales: Surpassed $12 billion for the first time. Fiscal Year Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share: Increased 7.5% to $9.55. Fiscal Year Adjusted EBITDA: $2 billion from continuing operations. Fiscal Year Same-Restaurant Sales Growth: 2%, outperforming the industry by 170 basis points. New Restaurant Openings: 25 net new restaurants in the fourth quarter. Permanent Closures: 22 underperforming restaurants closed in the fourth quarter. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Sign with DRI. Release Date: June 20, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI) reported strong same-restaurant sales and earnings growth that exceeded expectations, driven by successful marketing strategies and operational execution. Olive Garden's 'buy one take one' offer and nationwide delivery contributed to a 20% increase in takeout sales over the previous year. LongHorn Steakhouse achieved an all-time high guest satisfaction score and segment profit margin, driven by a focus on quality and training. Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI) returned $215 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, demonstrating strong cash flow management. The company announced a 7% increase in its regular quarterly dividend, reflecting confidence in future cash flow and earnings growth. Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI) permanently closed 15 underperforming Bahama Breeze restaurants, indicating challenges in that brand's performance. The Fine Dining segment experienced negative same-restaurant sales for the quarter, with segment profit margin lower than the previous year. The acquisition of Chuy's resulted in increased interest expenses, impacting overall financial performance. The company faces macroeconomic uncertainties, which could impact future same-restaurant sales growth. Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI) is considering strategic alternatives for the Bahama Breeze brand, including a potential sale, indicating potential instability in that segment. Q: Congrats on the strong same-store sales results. Can you give us your perspective on why casual dining is performing well right now, and how smaller chains are faring in this environment? A: Ricardo Cardenas, President and CEO, explained that consumers are recognizing the value in casual dining, which is driving increased traffic. He noted that Darden has been prudent with pricing, keeping it below inflation, which has helped attract customers from fast food and fast casual segments. Q: Regarding the unit growth outlook, when might we see a ramp in unit growth, and which brands will contribute the most? A: Rajesh Vennam, CFO, stated that Darden expects to be in the 3%-plus range for unit growth over the next five years. Olive Garden and LongHorn are expected to open 40 to 45 new locations, with Yard House and other brands contributing additional openings. Q: Does the updated long-term framework reflect a different view on restaurant margin opportunities or reinvestment rates? A: Rajesh Vennam explained that the new framework emphasizes sales growth with appropriate investments, which may result in restaurant-level EBITDA not growing at previous rates. The focus is on long-term growth rather than immediate margin expansion. Q: Can you discuss the impact of Uber Direct at Olive Garden on mix and same-store sales, and any differences in incremental margin? A: Rajesh Vennam noted that Uber Direct contributed about 3.5% of total sales at Olive Garden in Q4, with a mix impact of 40 basis points. The incremental sales impact was roughly 2%, and there was no significant negative impact on margins due to the structure of the deal with Uber. Q: How are you prioritizing the rollout of Uber Direct across other brands, and what are the considerations? A: Ricardo Cardenas mentioned that the priority is to evaluate the performance of Uber Direct at Olive Garden and Cheddar's before expanding to other brands. Each brand's leadership will decide if they want to implement Uber Direct, ensuring it aligns with their operational capabilities. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
