15 hours ago
The largest domestic Outback Steakhouse franchisee in the U.S., Out West Restaurant Group (affiliated with Cerca Trova Restaurant Group Holdings), has reportedly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware on Monday, November 2.
The company operates approximately 60 Outback Steakhouse locations across Western states, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.
According to Bloomberg Law, the restaurant group reported less than $50,000 in **** ets and between $100 million and $500 million in liabilities. However, limited information about the bankruptcy filing is publicly available.
Amid the bankruptcy filing, Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, plans to acquire 61 restaurants operated by Out West.
The $26.3 million deal reportedly involves the purchase of the restaurant group's **** ets, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Sunday, November 1.
#bankruptcy #november
The company operates approximately 60 Outback Steakhouse locations across Western states, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.
According to Bloomberg Law, the restaurant group reported less than $50,000 in **** ets and between $100 million and $500 million in liabilities. However, limited information about the bankruptcy filing is publicly available.
Amid the bankruptcy filing, Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, plans to acquire 61 restaurants operated by Out West.
The $26.3 million deal reportedly involves the purchase of the restaurant group's **** ets, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Sunday, November 1.
#bankruptcy #november
17 days ago
The Banana Ball Championship League will bring its 2027 World Tour to five New York locations, including Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, where the Savannah Bananas will play two games.
The organization announced the schedule for its 2027 tour on Thursday, Oct. 15, during the Banana Ball City Selection Show. The tour will span 23 Major League Baseball stadiums, 10 football stadiums and 33 minor league baseball stadiums.
Although the Savannah Bananas will make just one stop in New York, other teams in the league will play in Cooperstown, Buffalo, Rochester and Brooklyn.
"Rochester has been clamoring for the opportunity to see the outstanding Banana Ball performers, and we have worked for some time to bring them to ESL Ballpark," Rochester Red Wings President, CEO and COO Naomi Silver said. "We are excited to make this happen and know it will be a huge hit for all."
Here's what to know about the 2027 tour's New York stops, which teams will play at each venue and how to enter the ticket lottery.
#rochester #tour #savannah #bananas
The organization announced the schedule for its 2027 tour on Thursday, Oct. 15, during the Banana Ball City Selection Show. The tour will span 23 Major League Baseball stadiums, 10 football stadiums and 33 minor league baseball stadiums.
Although the Savannah Bananas will make just one stop in New York, other teams in the league will play in Cooperstown, Buffalo, Rochester and Brooklyn.
"Rochester has been clamoring for the opportunity to see the outstanding Banana Ball performers, and we have worked for some time to bring them to ESL Ballpark," Rochester Red Wings President, CEO and COO Naomi Silver said. "We are excited to make this happen and know it will be a huge hit for all."
Here's what to know about the 2027 tour's New York stops, which teams will play at each venue and how to enter the ticket lottery.
#rochester #tour #savannah #bananas
28 days ago
When True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 4, the chain's CEO Jeff Chandler tried to make it clear that the company planned to continue operating.
"This process is the best path forward to simplify the business and focus on what we do best: delivering craveable, health-forward food and genuine hospitality. We are confident this step will help us build a stronger True Food Kitchen for the future," he said in a press release.
True Food Kitchen serves an upscale clientele looking for healthy food. Most of its stores are located in higher-end shopping or lifestyle plazas. That contributed to its financial problems, Chad Van Horn, founder and managing partner of Van Horn Law Group in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., shared with TheStreet.
"True Food Kitchen did not file because people stopped eating there. Sales were essentially flat, about $312 million last year against $314 million the year before, and the reported debt is around $42 million. That is a cost and footprint problem, not a demand problem," he said.
As part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, True Food Kitchen shared that it had already closed 12 restaurants. Those locations completed their final service on Oct. 4, but the initial release did not share which locations were closing.
#chapter
"This process is the best path forward to simplify the business and focus on what we do best: delivering craveable, health-forward food and genuine hospitality. We are confident this step will help us build a stronger True Food Kitchen for the future," he said in a press release.
True Food Kitchen serves an upscale clientele looking for healthy food. Most of its stores are located in higher-end shopping or lifestyle plazas. That contributed to its financial problems, Chad Van Horn, founder and managing partner of Van Horn Law Group in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., shared with TheStreet.
"True Food Kitchen did not file because people stopped eating there. Sales were essentially flat, about $312 million last year against $314 million the year before, and the reported debt is around $42 million. That is a cost and footprint problem, not a demand problem," he said.
As part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, True Food Kitchen shared that it had already closed 12 restaurants. Those locations completed their final service on Oct. 4, but the initial release did not share which locations were closing.
#chapter
29 days ago
As Christmas nears, the festive season has sparked a intriguing royal showdown. Meghan Markle's $148 advent calendar has been met with surprising competition from Buckingham Palace. The news comes days after Markle expanded her lifestyle brand, As Ever, with the limited-edition holiday countdown box inspired by her Montecito home.
Buckingham Palace has entered the Advent calendar market with a product priced far below Meghan Markle's $148 version.
As reported by the Daily Express, the calendar is available now from the Royal Collection Trust. It claims to "capture the magic of the festive season" across three royal residences, including Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Priced at only £12 ($15.87), the calendar offers 24 milk chocolates, the same count as Markle's luxury edition.
The artwork for the royal chocolate Advent calendar shows a richly adorned Christmas tree finished with a crown ornament, accompanied by a pair of Union Jacks. The illustration also features ceremonial guards who "stand watch at these iconic locations."
The Palace has also released an empty, fill-it-yourself version, which displays a winter illustration of its London residence on a white box. The design is fully customizable, allowing buyers to place their own treats behind each of the 24 doors.
#calendar #christmas #season
Buckingham Palace has entered the Advent calendar market with a product priced far below Meghan Markle's $148 version.
As reported by the Daily Express, the calendar is available now from the Royal Collection Trust. It claims to "capture the magic of the festive season" across three royal residences, including Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Priced at only £12 ($15.87), the calendar offers 24 milk chocolates, the same count as Markle's luxury edition.
The artwork for the royal chocolate Advent calendar shows a richly adorned Christmas tree finished with a crown ornament, accompanied by a pair of Union Jacks. The illustration also features ceremonial guards who "stand watch at these iconic locations."
The Palace has also released an empty, fill-it-yourself version, which displays a winter illustration of its London residence on a white box. The design is fully customizable, allowing buyers to place their own treats behind each of the 24 doors.
#calendar #christmas #season
29 days ago
The pizza dining sector has been in a downsizing mode in 2026 with several chains closing numerous locations for a variety of reasons.
Some of the biggest and most popular chains, such as Pizza Hut and Papa John's, plan to close 100s for restaurants in 2006 to rid themselves of properties that have become a financial burden.
Boston-based pizza dining chain Bertucci's, which has filed for bankruptcy three times in the last eight years, has also closed dozens of locations.
Bertucci's most recently shuttered its last Washington, D.C.-area location with the closing of its Springfield, Va., restaurant at the end of September, according to the Washington Business Journal.
The 45-year-old pizza chain, which at one time had over 100 locations, has 11 remaining restaurants in Massachusetts, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
#pizza
Some of the biggest and most popular chains, such as Pizza Hut and Papa John's, plan to close 100s for restaurants in 2006 to rid themselves of properties that have become a financial burden.
Boston-based pizza dining chain Bertucci's, which has filed for bankruptcy three times in the last eight years, has also closed dozens of locations.
Bertucci's most recently shuttered its last Washington, D.C.-area location with the closing of its Springfield, Va., restaurant at the end of September, according to the Washington Business Journal.
The 45-year-old pizza chain, which at one time had over 100 locations, has 11 remaining restaurants in Massachusetts, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
#pizza
30 days ago
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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos once challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-N.Y.) argument that billionaires cannot legitimately earn their fortunes.
During a May 2026 interview with CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin at Blue Origin's rocket factory in Florida, Bezos responded to Ocasio-Cortez's statement that no one can earn $1 billion without exploiting workers, abusing market power or breaking rules.
The Amazon executive chairman rejected the premise, illustrating his argument with a hypothetical burger restaurant that starts with 10 employees and gradually expands to 1,000 locations as customers embrace its products.
Don't Miss:
#alexandria
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos once challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-N.Y.) argument that billionaires cannot legitimately earn their fortunes.
During a May 2026 interview with CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin at Blue Origin's rocket factory in Florida, Bezos responded to Ocasio-Cortez's statement that no one can earn $1 billion without exploiting workers, abusing market power or breaking rules.
The Amazon executive chairman rejected the premise, illustrating his argument with a hypothetical burger restaurant that starts with 10 employees and gradually expands to 1,000 locations as customers embrace its products.
Don't Miss:
#alexandria
30 days ago
Fast food giant Wendy's faced a fresh wave of permanent store closures on Friday for the second weekend in a row as one of its biggest franchisees scrambled to restructure operations in the aftermath of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
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Emotionally intelligent people use 3 short phrases to stop getting defensive and strengthen their relationships
Wendy's is facing more store closures: See an updated list of shuttered locations from franchise bankruptcy
Panda Express's founders built a $7 billion empire. Now they're helping 55,000 employees become homeowners
#fast #closures #Friday
Most Read from Fast Company
Emotionally intelligent people use 3 short phrases to stop getting defensive and strengthen their relationships
Wendy's is facing more store closures: See an updated list of shuttered locations from franchise bankruptcy
Panda Express's founders built a $7 billion empire. Now they're helping 55,000 employees become homeowners
#fast #closures #Friday
1 month ago
MASSILLON − Fans of actor Jim Belushi exploded into applause when he arrived inside the Bloom Cannabis dispensary.
Admirers chanted his name as he climbed atop a table triumphantly: "Jim! Jim! Jim!" He was welcomed like a conquering hero of cannabis.
While the 72-year-old is known as a funnyman on screen, he's also in the cannabis business as the owner and operator of Belushi's Farm in Oregon.
Belushi was a special guest Oct. 1 of Bloom Cannabis, which also has locations in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Painesville, Seven Mile and Maryland. Founded in 2015 along the Rogue River in Southern Oregon, Belushi's Farm produces cannabis products in Ohio by Wondergrove.
Hundreds showed up at the Massillon dispensary and retail outlet, with a line stretching along the sidewalk in the shopping plaza on Federal Avenue NW.
#massillon #farm #dispensary #along
Admirers chanted his name as he climbed atop a table triumphantly: "Jim! Jim! Jim!" He was welcomed like a conquering hero of cannabis.
While the 72-year-old is known as a funnyman on screen, he's also in the cannabis business as the owner and operator of Belushi's Farm in Oregon.
Belushi was a special guest Oct. 1 of Bloom Cannabis, which also has locations in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Painesville, Seven Mile and Maryland. Founded in 2015 along the Rogue River in Southern Oregon, Belushi's Farm produces cannabis products in Ohio by Wondergrove.
Hundreds showed up at the Massillon dispensary and retail outlet, with a line stretching along the sidewalk in the shopping plaza on Federal Avenue NW.
#massillon #farm #dispensary #along
1 month ago
Guillermo Rodriguez's salsa brand is launching nationwide after surpassing one million tubs
Guillermo's Salsa will expand to Kroger locations nationwide on Oct. 4, and in H-E-Bs on Nov. 4
"When you try it, you're going to be like, 'Oh my God, this salsa is real good,' " Rodriguez tells PEOPLE
In the past few weeks, Guillermo Rodriguez, has spiced up the Dancing with the Stars ballroom, competing alongside his pro partner Witney Carson. But the dance floor isn't the only place he's brought the heat.
Rodriguez, 55, launched his salsa brand — co-founded with Chris Kirby, founder of Ithaca Hummus — in January, and it has been sold in stores across the Northeast and Southeast. Since its release, Guillermo's Salsa has become one of the fastest-growing refrigerated salsa brands, selling over one million tubs, according to an official press release.
#guillermo #brand
Guillermo's Salsa will expand to Kroger locations nationwide on Oct. 4, and in H-E-Bs on Nov. 4
"When you try it, you're going to be like, 'Oh my God, this salsa is real good,' " Rodriguez tells PEOPLE
In the past few weeks, Guillermo Rodriguez, has spiced up the Dancing with the Stars ballroom, competing alongside his pro partner Witney Carson. But the dance floor isn't the only place he's brought the heat.
Rodriguez, 55, launched his salsa brand — co-founded with Chris Kirby, founder of Ithaca Hummus — in January, and it has been sold in stores across the Northeast and Southeast. Since its release, Guillermo's Salsa has become one of the fastest-growing refrigerated salsa brands, selling over one million tubs, according to an official press release.
#guillermo #brand
1 month ago
Shares of AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) rose on Tuesday after the automotive replacement parts and accessories distributor reported stronger-than-expected profits.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ****** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
AutoZone's net sales grew 5.6% year over year to $6.6 billion in its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter, which ended on Aug. 29.
The auto-parts purveyor opened 175 stores during the quarter and a total of 374 over the trailing 12 months. AutoZone ended the period with 8,031 stores, including 6,863 stores in the U.S., 1,001 in Mexico, and 167 in Brazil.
Additionally, same-store sales, which measure revenue from locations open for at least a year, increased by 2.7%, or 1.5% when excluding foreign currency fluctuations.
#year #autozone #quarter #NYSE
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ****** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
AutoZone's net sales grew 5.6% year over year to $6.6 billion in its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter, which ended on Aug. 29.
The auto-parts purveyor opened 175 stores during the quarter and a total of 374 over the trailing 12 months. AutoZone ended the period with 8,031 stores, including 6,863 stores in the U.S., 1,001 in Mexico, and 167 in Brazil.
Additionally, same-store sales, which measure revenue from locations open for at least a year, increased by 2.7%, or 1.5% when excluding foreign currency fluctuations.
#year #autozone #quarter #NYSE
2 months ago
On September 9, 2026, Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) reported its first quarterly results as a public company, with total revenue up 10% year over year to $208 million and same-store sales accelerating to 2.3% growth from 1.7% in the prior quarter. It was primarily driven by transaction growth even as the restaurant industry faced weak traffic trends. Net income fell to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. It showed non-routine expenses, advertising fund timing, and higher interest costs following the company's July initial public offering, partially offset by a $14 million gain on the sale of corporate-owned stores.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) is gaining customers while its brand remains a major competitive advantage. The firm added 83 stores in the second quarter. It grew its customer base and increased systemwide sales 10% to $1.21 billion. Jersey Mike's also earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. quick-service restaurant brands in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, surpassing Chick-fil-A after 11 consecutive years at the top. It gives the newly public company a strong foundation for continued customer and franchisee growth.
The business has substantial whitespace for long-term unit growth. Jersey Mike's ended the quarter with 3,378 locations and maintains a domestic development pipeline of more than 1,600 stores, with more than 90% of that pipeline coming from existing franchisees. Management estimates that the U.S. market could eventually support roughly 7,500 locations and sees potential to reach approximately 15,000 stores globally. It gives the business a long runway for franchise-led revenue and royalty growth.
Digital engagement and transaction growth give Jersey Mike's more avenues to increase sales. Digital sales represented 43% of systemwide sales in the second quarter, up from 41% a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3% mainly because customers placed more transactions. Jersey Mike's also had more than 12.5 million active MyMike's loyalty members in 2025. It provides the company with a large customer database that it can use to increase frequency and personalize marketing as it expands.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) still faces a significant profitability challenge despite its revenue growth. Second-quarter revenue jumped 10% to $208 million. However, net income fell 37% to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. Management attributed part of the decline to advertising-fund timing and higher interest expense. It shows that revenue growth has not yet translated into comparable bottom-line growth for shareholders.
#million #customer
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) is gaining customers while its brand remains a major competitive advantage. The firm added 83 stores in the second quarter. It grew its customer base and increased systemwide sales 10% to $1.21 billion. Jersey Mike's also earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. quick-service restaurant brands in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, surpassing Chick-fil-A after 11 consecutive years at the top. It gives the newly public company a strong foundation for continued customer and franchisee growth.
The business has substantial whitespace for long-term unit growth. Jersey Mike's ended the quarter with 3,378 locations and maintains a domestic development pipeline of more than 1,600 stores, with more than 90% of that pipeline coming from existing franchisees. Management estimates that the U.S. market could eventually support roughly 7,500 locations and sees potential to reach approximately 15,000 stores globally. It gives the business a long runway for franchise-led revenue and royalty growth.
Digital engagement and transaction growth give Jersey Mike's more avenues to increase sales. Digital sales represented 43% of systemwide sales in the second quarter, up from 41% a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3% mainly because customers placed more transactions. Jersey Mike's also had more than 12.5 million active MyMike's loyalty members in 2025. It provides the company with a large customer database that it can use to increase frequency and personalize marketing as it expands.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) still faces a significant profitability challenge despite its revenue growth. Second-quarter revenue jumped 10% to $208 million. However, net income fell 37% to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. Management attributed part of the decline to advertising-fund timing and higher interest expense. It shows that revenue growth has not yet translated into comparable bottom-line growth for shareholders.
#million #customer
2 months ago
Interested in O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better.
Record store expansion: O'Reilly plans to open 232 stores in 2026, its highest annual total, supported by new distribution capacity and growth opportunities across underserved U.S. markets.
International growth: The company expects to open 20–25 stores in Mexico, where it sees potential for more than 1,000 locations over time, and plans to add three to five Canadian stores while developing its platform.
Demand and competitive advantages: Comparable-store sales rose 7% through the second quarter, while O'Reilly highlighted its inventory network, promote-from-within culture, proprietary brands exceeding 55% of sales, and opportunities from an aging and increasingly complex vehicle fleet.
Hitting the Brakes: Is O'Reilly's Stock a Breakdown or a Buy?
#stores #open #Growth #interested
Record store expansion: O'Reilly plans to open 232 stores in 2026, its highest annual total, supported by new distribution capacity and growth opportunities across underserved U.S. markets.
International growth: The company expects to open 20–25 stores in Mexico, where it sees potential for more than 1,000 locations over time, and plans to add three to five Canadian stores while developing its platform.
Demand and competitive advantages: Comparable-store sales rose 7% through the second quarter, while O'Reilly highlighted its inventory network, promote-from-within culture, proprietary brands exceeding 55% of sales, and opportunities from an aging and increasingly complex vehicle fleet.
Hitting the Brakes: Is O'Reilly's Stock a Breakdown or a Buy?
#stores #open #Growth #interested
2 months ago
Costco is expanding its same-day delivery network as it looks to grow e-commerce sales and compete with retailers like Walmart and Target.
The retailer this week launched collaborations with DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH) and Uber (NYSE: UBER) to pick up online orders at U.S. stores and drive them to the customer's door. The arrangements give Costco more channels to reach customers through ultra-fast delivery, made possible by gig drivers who use the platforms to select ******* ignments.
DoorDash, best known for delivering restaurant food, announced that Costco (NASDAQ: COST) members can now order groceries, dry goods, household essentials and other products from its marketplace and then arrange fast delivery from their local store, all through the DoorDash app. The U.S. launch extends the existing relationship between the companies in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Iceland and Puerto Rico.
DoorDash now serves eight of the 10 largest food retailers in North America.
On Wednesday, Uber announced a major expansion of its partnership with Costco to deliver products in 47 states, up from 17 states. Nearly 600 Costco locations are now available on the Uber Eats app, where shoppers can arrange on-demand and scheduled delivery.
#Food #announced
The retailer this week launched collaborations with DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH) and Uber (NYSE: UBER) to pick up online orders at U.S. stores and drive them to the customer's door. The arrangements give Costco more channels to reach customers through ultra-fast delivery, made possible by gig drivers who use the platforms to select ******* ignments.
DoorDash, best known for delivering restaurant food, announced that Costco (NASDAQ: COST) members can now order groceries, dry goods, household essentials and other products from its marketplace and then arrange fast delivery from their local store, all through the DoorDash app. The U.S. launch extends the existing relationship between the companies in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Iceland and Puerto Rico.
DoorDash now serves eight of the 10 largest food retailers in North America.
On Wednesday, Uber announced a major expansion of its partnership with Costco to deliver products in 47 states, up from 17 states. Nearly 600 Costco locations are now available on the Uber Eats app, where shoppers can arrange on-demand and scheduled delivery.
#Food #announced
2 months ago
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Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#advertiser
Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#advertiser
2 months ago
For decades, CVS seemed like the perfect business. It was convenient, sold a mix of products people wanted, and everyone was forced to go there (or to one of its rivals) when they needed to pick up a prescription.
Now, however, the company has been fighting a war on many fronts. Consumers can order much of what made the chain convenient for delivery, and various online services, including Amazon, now fill prescriptions.
"At the rear of the store, business at pharmacy counters is being squeezed by stingier drug reimbursement rates and pharmacist wages. In the aisles, sales of everything from greeting cards to cosmetics are feeling the effects of cut-price competition," according to the Financial Times.
It's an evolving situation that has caused CVS rival Rite Aid to shut down all its stores, while CVS and Walgreens have closed thousands of locations between them.
"The whole drugstore four-wall economic model is collapsing on itself, in my opinion," said Josh ****** s, a portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors, told the Financial Times.
#business #amazon #walgreens
Now, however, the company has been fighting a war on many fronts. Consumers can order much of what made the chain convenient for delivery, and various online services, including Amazon, now fill prescriptions.
"At the rear of the store, business at pharmacy counters is being squeezed by stingier drug reimbursement rates and pharmacist wages. In the aisles, sales of everything from greeting cards to cosmetics are feeling the effects of cut-price competition," according to the Financial Times.
It's an evolving situation that has caused CVS rival Rite Aid to shut down all its stores, while CVS and Walgreens have closed thousands of locations between them.
"The whole drugstore four-wall economic model is collapsing on itself, in my opinion," said Josh ****** s, a portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors, told the Financial Times.
#business #amazon #walgreens
2 months ago
BuyWander says it plan to use the fresh capital to drive its expansion throughout the US, support technological upgrades, and bolster its executive team.
The investment was headed by Madrona Venture Group and Inspired Capital. Past supporters of the company include Triple Impact Capital, Silence Ventures, Animal Capital, as well as several angel investors.
The business currently has eight locations and has lately entered the Denver and Chicago markets, with a new warehouse site scheduled to open soon in Minneapolis.
BuyWander co-founder and CEO Jordan Allen said: "Retailers are sitting on billions of dollars in returned and overstocked inventory every year, and buyers are hungry for a better way to access it. We've seen that appetite play out in every market we've entered. This funding lets us bring that experience to more cities, faster, and put BuyWander in front of the next wave of buyers who are done with the old returns model."
Founded in 2023 by Jordan Allen and Brock Kowalchuk, BuyWander is an auction-based marketplace that links buyers with returned and surplus goods from retailers such as Amazon, Target and Walmart.
#capital #buyers #allen
The investment was headed by Madrona Venture Group and Inspired Capital. Past supporters of the company include Triple Impact Capital, Silence Ventures, Animal Capital, as well as several angel investors.
The business currently has eight locations and has lately entered the Denver and Chicago markets, with a new warehouse site scheduled to open soon in Minneapolis.
BuyWander co-founder and CEO Jordan Allen said: "Retailers are sitting on billions of dollars in returned and overstocked inventory every year, and buyers are hungry for a better way to access it. We've seen that appetite play out in every market we've entered. This funding lets us bring that experience to more cities, faster, and put BuyWander in front of the next wave of buyers who are done with the old returns model."
Founded in 2023 by Jordan Allen and Brock Kowalchuk, BuyWander is an auction-based marketplace that links buyers with returned and surplus goods from retailers such as Amazon, Target and Walmart.
#capital #buyers #allen
2 months ago
Financially challenged fast-food franchisees have been lining up to file for bankruptcy protection in 2026 to reorganize their businesses and restructure debt.
Hardee's Phoenix-based restaurant franchisee Superior Star LLC , filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 9, facing an alleged seller financing dispute, according to court papers. A burger chain rival, Checkers Drive-In franchisee C.S. Holdings of Tampa LLC, which operates two locations in Tampa, Fla., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business on July 14.
Another Hardee's franchisee, ARC Burger LLC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on April 20, 2026, after franchisor Hardee's Restaurants LLC sued the restaurant operator for alleged breach of contract, seeking to recover over $6.5 million in unpaid franchise fees and other obligations, according to Law.com.
And now, major Wendy's restaurant franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., which operates over 350 locations in 15 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its business and restructure its debt, almost 11 months after defaulting on its franchise agreements for failing to remit payments.
Meritage Hospitality and 14 affiliates filed their petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sept. 17, 2026, listing $10 million to $50 million in **** ets and debts.
#chapter
Hardee's Phoenix-based restaurant franchisee Superior Star LLC , filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 9, facing an alleged seller financing dispute, according to court papers. A burger chain rival, Checkers Drive-In franchisee C.S. Holdings of Tampa LLC, which operates two locations in Tampa, Fla., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business on July 14.
Another Hardee's franchisee, ARC Burger LLC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on April 20, 2026, after franchisor Hardee's Restaurants LLC sued the restaurant operator for alleged breach of contract, seeking to recover over $6.5 million in unpaid franchise fees and other obligations, according to Law.com.
And now, major Wendy's restaurant franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., which operates over 350 locations in 15 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its business and restructure its debt, almost 11 months after defaulting on its franchise agreements for failing to remit payments.
Meritage Hospitality and 14 affiliates filed their petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sept. 17, 2026, listing $10 million to $50 million in **** ets and debts.
#chapter
2 months ago
On September 10, 2026, The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) reported second-quarter fiscal 2027 results for the period ended August 2, 2026. Net sales rose 0.4% to $161.2 million, a record for the quarter, and the company swung to net income of $7.4 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, from a loss of $6.7 million a year earlier. Inside that $0.51 sits $0.86 of net benefit from IEEPA tariff refunds. Omni-channel comparable sales fell 1.9%.
Canaccord's Maria Ripps read the quarter as in line, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA both landing within guidance and near consensus while tariff refunds pushed gross margin and earnings above expectations; she cut the firm's target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $20 from $22 but held the Buy rating.
Roth Capital's Matt Koranda also called the quarter in line with consensus, though he flagged omni-channel comps trending modestly negative on soft lower-end consumer demand. He lowered the firm's target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $20 from $22 as well, keeping a Buy rating, and noted that management reset full-year guidance lower on a tough demand environment and modest product launch delays.
DA Davidson offered a similar interpretation of the lower guidance, arguing that the reset reflects the new CFO's approach more than a deterioration in the underlying business. The firm said the CFO, who joined during the quarter, appears to be establishing more conservative expectations that could restore a beat-and-raise pattern the stock had lacked. DA Davidson lowered its target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $18 from $20 while maintaining its Buy rating.
The operating case rests on the high end: configurations above $6,000 grew double digits against a tough comparison, showroom net sales rose 4.6% to $114.1 million on 14 net new locations, and Snugg helped push other products revenue up 198.2%. Lovesac ended the quarter with $68.8 million in cash and no debt.
#quarter
Canaccord's Maria Ripps read the quarter as in line, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA both landing within guidance and near consensus while tariff refunds pushed gross margin and earnings above expectations; she cut the firm's target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $20 from $22 but held the Buy rating.
Roth Capital's Matt Koranda also called the quarter in line with consensus, though he flagged omni-channel comps trending modestly negative on soft lower-end consumer demand. He lowered the firm's target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $20 from $22 as well, keeping a Buy rating, and noted that management reset full-year guidance lower on a tough demand environment and modest product launch delays.
DA Davidson offered a similar interpretation of the lower guidance, arguing that the reset reflects the new CFO's approach more than a deterioration in the underlying business. The firm said the CFO, who joined during the quarter, appears to be establishing more conservative expectations that could restore a beat-and-raise pattern the stock had lacked. DA Davidson lowered its target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $18 from $20 while maintaining its Buy rating.
The operating case rests on the high end: configurations above $6,000 grew double digits against a tough comparison, showroom net sales rose 4.6% to $114.1 million on 14 net new locations, and Snugg helped push other products revenue up 198.2%. Lovesac ended the quarter with $68.8 million in cash and no debt.
#quarter
2 months ago
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) reported a widening split between dining and entertainment in its September 14 second-quarter results. Food-and-beverage revenue increased to $211.5 million from $192.9 million, while entertainment revenue fell to $332.6 million from $364.5 million.
For the fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2026, total revenue declined 2.4% to $544.1 million. Operating income dropped to $19.4 million from $53 million. The GAAP net loss was $12.5 million, versus net income of $11.4 million a year earlier. Stronger restaurant sales are providing support, but the investment question is whether they can also bring customers back to the games.
Food-and-beverage revenue grew approximately 9.6%, giving Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) an identifiable source of momentum. A more appealing dining experience could encourage repeat visits, group occasions, and longer stays, creating additional opportunities to sell entertainment.
Management reported ongoing growth in food-and-beverage and special-events sales, alongside improving comparable-sales trends in July and the third quarter to date. That suggests the recovery effort has some traction beyond a single revenue category, although the later sales improvement was not quantified.
Management also said remodeled locations continued to outperform the system on comparable sales. That supports selective investment in existing venues, provided the additional revenue earns adequate returns on remodeling costs.
#entertainment #dave
For the fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2026, total revenue declined 2.4% to $544.1 million. Operating income dropped to $19.4 million from $53 million. The GAAP net loss was $12.5 million, versus net income of $11.4 million a year earlier. Stronger restaurant sales are providing support, but the investment question is whether they can also bring customers back to the games.
Food-and-beverage revenue grew approximately 9.6%, giving Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) an identifiable source of momentum. A more appealing dining experience could encourage repeat visits, group occasions, and longer stays, creating additional opportunities to sell entertainment.
Management reported ongoing growth in food-and-beverage and special-events sales, alongside improving comparable-sales trends in July and the third quarter to date. That suggests the recovery effort has some traction beyond a single revenue category, although the later sales improvement was not quantified.
Management also said remodeled locations continued to outperform the system on comparable sales. That supports selective investment in existing venues, provided the additional revenue earns adequate returns on remodeling costs.
#entertainment #dave
2 months ago
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) announced a joint venture with Rönesans Infrastructure on September 14 to develop and operate data centers in Türkiye. The first Ankara campus is designed for more than 22 megawatts of IT capacity. Land, power and permits are secured, early construction has begun, and the first facility is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) has established credible development foundations. The investment question is whether those foundations can support attractive returns once construction spending, customer contracts, and operating costs enter the calculation.
For Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR), securing land, electricity and permits reduces uncertainty around whether development can proceed. That matters because customer interest has limited commercial value when a developer cannot offer a credible delivery schedule. Construction progress can make discussions with prospective tenants more concrete.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) also combines its global customer relationships and operating experience with Rönesans Infrastructure's local development and construction capabilities. The potential benefit is practical: a partner familiar with local execution can help deliver the buildings, while an established data-center operator can help attract customers and manage their deployments.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) is entering through a venture that also plans an additional Istanbul facility. A presence in both cities could appeal to customers seeking multiple locations for resilience and connectivity. Success in Ankara could therefore create a commercial foundation for further expansion, provided demand supports additional investment.
#digital #construction #development #venture
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) has established credible development foundations. The investment question is whether those foundations can support attractive returns once construction spending, customer contracts, and operating costs enter the calculation.
For Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR), securing land, electricity and permits reduces uncertainty around whether development can proceed. That matters because customer interest has limited commercial value when a developer cannot offer a credible delivery schedule. Construction progress can make discussions with prospective tenants more concrete.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) also combines its global customer relationships and operating experience with Rönesans Infrastructure's local development and construction capabilities. The potential benefit is practical: a partner familiar with local execution can help deliver the buildings, while an established data-center operator can help attract customers and manage their deployments.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) is entering through a venture that also plans an additional Istanbul facility. A presence in both cities could appeal to customers seeking multiple locations for resilience and connectivity. Success in Ankara could therefore create a commercial foundation for further expansion, provided demand supports additional investment.
#digital #construction #development #venture
2 months ago
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Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#Visa #part #stores #mastercard
Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#Visa #part #stores #mastercard
2 months ago
MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) priced $1 billion of senior unsecured notes on September 9, 2026, with settlement scheduled for September 14 and maturity on September 14, 2036. As of September 10, the transaction had not settled.
The notes carry a 5.85% coupon, with proceeds intended for general corporate purposes. Once settled, they would require $58.5 million in annual coupon payments on the full principal outstanding, alongside repayment of $1 billion at maturity.
Management retains discretion over deployment. Logistics, payments, credit and commerce represent potential uses within the business, rather than disclosed allocations of this particular offering.
Ten-year funding can better match investments whose benefits emerge over several years. Logistics facilities need time to attract shipment volume, while financial-services products require investment in technology, customer acquisition and risk management before reaching scale.
For MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI), that longer horizon could reduce dependence on repeated short-term refinancing. A fixed coupon also makes contractual dollar interest payments more predictable if market borrowing rates rise.
#payments
The notes carry a 5.85% coupon, with proceeds intended for general corporate purposes. Once settled, they would require $58.5 million in annual coupon payments on the full principal outstanding, alongside repayment of $1 billion at maturity.
Management retains discretion over deployment. Logistics, payments, credit and commerce represent potential uses within the business, rather than disclosed allocations of this particular offering.
Ten-year funding can better match investments whose benefits emerge over several years. Logistics facilities need time to attract shipment volume, while financial-services products require investment in technology, customer acquisition and risk management before reaching scale.
For MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI), that longer horizon could reduce dependence on repeated short-term refinancing. A fixed coupon also makes contractual dollar interest payments more predictable if market borrowing rates rise.
#payments
2 months ago
Saudi Arabia's oil supply crisis is rapidly becoming Europe's problem.
The September 10 attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline struck the system at multiple locations and damaged at least one pumping station, forcing Riyadh to shut down the Kingdom's critical alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
The 1,200-kilometer Petroline can carry around 7 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia's eastern producing regions to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Since the war effectively closed Hormuz, it has become one of the most important pieces of energy infrastructure in the world.
Kpler estimates the pipeline had been moving roughly 4 million bpd around Hormuz before the attack. A prolonged outage could ultimately threaten 3.5–4 million bpd of Saudi crude exports. The figure is below Petroline's nameplate capacity because Saudi Arabia can still export some crude from eastern terminals such as Ras Tanura, despite the severe constraints on Gulf shipping.
The immediate problem is storage.
#hormuz #crude
The September 10 attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline struck the system at multiple locations and damaged at least one pumping station, forcing Riyadh to shut down the Kingdom's critical alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
The 1,200-kilometer Petroline can carry around 7 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia's eastern producing regions to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Since the war effectively closed Hormuz, it has become one of the most important pieces of energy infrastructure in the world.
Kpler estimates the pipeline had been moving roughly 4 million bpd around Hormuz before the attack. A prolonged outage could ultimately threaten 3.5–4 million bpd of Saudi crude exports. The figure is below Petroline's nameplate capacity because Saudi Arabia can still export some crude from eastern terminals such as Ras Tanura, despite the severe constraints on Gulf shipping.
The immediate problem is storage.
#hormuz #crude
2 months ago
The casual Mexican restaurant sector has faced a challenging year in 2026, as dining chains have closed underperforming locations, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize their businesses, and in at least one case, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation to shut down all operations.
Once popular Mexican chain On the Border ceased operations in 2026, after closing all of its locations before its operating company, OTB Hospitality, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation on June 19, 2026, the company shared in a press release.
Another chain facing financial distress is Session Taco, a St. Louis-based casual Mexican dining chain, which closed one of its restaurant locations for the second time in seven months. The chain has not filed for bankruptcy.
The Mexican chain, originally branded Mission Taco Joint until a 2023 name change, closed its Sobremesa restaurant in St. Charles, Mo., on Sept. 13 after only three months of operation, according to its Facebook page.
The St. Charles location was previously branded as Session Taco until the company closed the restaurant on Feb. 13 to redesign and rebrand the restaurant as Sobremesa before reopening in June 2026.
#mexican #locations
Once popular Mexican chain On the Border ceased operations in 2026, after closing all of its locations before its operating company, OTB Hospitality, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation on June 19, 2026, the company shared in a press release.
Another chain facing financial distress is Session Taco, a St. Louis-based casual Mexican dining chain, which closed one of its restaurant locations for the second time in seven months. The chain has not filed for bankruptcy.
The Mexican chain, originally branded Mission Taco Joint until a 2023 name change, closed its Sobremesa restaurant in St. Charles, Mo., on Sept. 13 after only three months of operation, according to its Facebook page.
The St. Charles location was previously branded as Session Taco until the company closed the restaurant on Feb. 13 to redesign and rebrand the restaurant as Sobremesa before reopening in June 2026.
#mexican #locations
2 months ago
Autonomous vehicle company May Mobility is merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and will become a publicly traded company. It's a deal that could raise more than $300 million for May Mobility at a valuation of $1.4 billion, the company said Wednesday.
Once the merger is complete, May Mobility said it will be the first public company in the U.S. that is focused entirely on autonomous ride-hailing vehicles. This is meant to differentiate it from a number of other public companies working on autonomy, including Tesla, Rivian, Alphabet (with Waymo), and trucking-focused Aurora and Kodiak.
The move sets up May Mobility to be a test of the stock market's appetite for pure-play robotaxi ventures.
It will also be a test of May Mobility's approach to autonomy, which it pitches as "asset-light" and "partnership-first." Instead of owning and operating the robotaxis, May Mobility's business revolves around selling its autonomous vehicles to its fleet partners over time while maintaining control of any remote supervision and software updates. In exchange, May Mobility receives either fixed fees or per-trip licensing fees.
Founded in 2017, May Mobility currently operates autonomous Toyota Siennas in three locations in the U.S. It has a partnership with Lyft in Atlanta, and offers rides in two cities — Eden Prairie and Grand Rapids — in Minnesota.
#company #autonomous #focused
Once the merger is complete, May Mobility said it will be the first public company in the U.S. that is focused entirely on autonomous ride-hailing vehicles. This is meant to differentiate it from a number of other public companies working on autonomy, including Tesla, Rivian, Alphabet (with Waymo), and trucking-focused Aurora and Kodiak.
The move sets up May Mobility to be a test of the stock market's appetite for pure-play robotaxi ventures.
It will also be a test of May Mobility's approach to autonomy, which it pitches as "asset-light" and "partnership-first." Instead of owning and operating the robotaxis, May Mobility's business revolves around selling its autonomous vehicles to its fleet partners over time while maintaining control of any remote supervision and software updates. In exchange, May Mobility receives either fixed fees or per-trip licensing fees.
Founded in 2017, May Mobility currently operates autonomous Toyota Siennas in three locations in the U.S. It has a partnership with Lyft in Atlanta, and offers rides in two cities — Eden Prairie and Grand Rapids — in Minnesota.
#company #autonomous #focused
2 months ago
PepsiCo (PEP) has gone nowhere for a year, down 1.8% over the past twelve months while the S&P 500 returned 16.6%. At about $135 a share it trades at 17.7 times earnings, against an S&P 500 median of 22.5. A big cash generator priced below the market is what value buyers hunt for, so is this discount impatience or a verdict?
PepsiCo sells snacks and drinks everywhere consumer staples get sold: grocery aisles, convenience and gas stations, and the away-from-home locations it keeps adding. That reach turns into cash: free cash flow over the trailing twelve months was $9.28 billion, a 5.0% yield.
None of the recent numbers look like a business in trouble. Revenue over the trailing twelve months grew 5.6%, and the operating margin is holding at 15.0% against an S&P 500 median of 18.6%. Management says global volumes grew in both foods and beverages in the first half of 2026, the fastest growth in volume since 2022.
Widen the window and the picture changes. PepsiCo's revenue grew 5.6% over the trailing twelve months against an S&P 500 median of 8.3%, and its three-year average is just 2.5% a year. The trailing twelve months ran hotter, but one window is not a pace, and the pace is what the market pays for.
The company lowered prices in the U.S. early in 2026 to get volume moving. Management says salty snacks went from falling volume to rising volume and PepsiCo gained share, but volume in the second quarter of 2026 fell short of what it expected, which it blames on a consumer hurt by higher gas prices and on delays executing the price investment at some customers. None of this is lost on the market: it is pricing a company that grows slowly and has just spent money trying to grow faster. The problem sits in North America, while the international business stayed strong.
#months #trailing
PepsiCo sells snacks and drinks everywhere consumer staples get sold: grocery aisles, convenience and gas stations, and the away-from-home locations it keeps adding. That reach turns into cash: free cash flow over the trailing twelve months was $9.28 billion, a 5.0% yield.
None of the recent numbers look like a business in trouble. Revenue over the trailing twelve months grew 5.6%, and the operating margin is holding at 15.0% against an S&P 500 median of 18.6%. Management says global volumes grew in both foods and beverages in the first half of 2026, the fastest growth in volume since 2022.
Widen the window and the picture changes. PepsiCo's revenue grew 5.6% over the trailing twelve months against an S&P 500 median of 8.3%, and its three-year average is just 2.5% a year. The trailing twelve months ran hotter, but one window is not a pace, and the pace is what the market pays for.
The company lowered prices in the U.S. early in 2026 to get volume moving. Management says salty snacks went from falling volume to rising volume and PepsiCo gained share, but volume in the second quarter of 2026 fell short of what it expected, which it blames on a consumer hurt by higher gas prices and on delays executing the price investment at some customers. None of this is lost on the market: it is pricing a company that grows slowly and has just spent money trying to grow faster. The problem sits in North America, while the international business stayed strong.
#months #trailing
2 months ago
Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) and Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) have expanded their US delivery partnership to 47 states, up from 17, making nearly 600 Costco locations available through the Uber Eats platform.
The companies said the expanded service allows Costco members to place orders for on-demand or scheduled delivery through the Uber Eats app.
Customers can purchase fresh produce, bulk groceries and household products, link their Costco membership during checkout and track their deliveries in real time.
The expansion increases the geographic reach of Costco's delivery service through Uber Eats, giving members access to products from participating warehouses.
Nearly 600 Costco locations are now available on the platform, according to the companies' joint statement.
#costco #expanded #available #platform
The companies said the expanded service allows Costco members to place orders for on-demand or scheduled delivery through the Uber Eats app.
Customers can purchase fresh produce, bulk groceries and household products, link their Costco membership during checkout and track their deliveries in real time.
The expansion increases the geographic reach of Costco's delivery service through Uber Eats, giving members access to products from participating warehouses.
Nearly 600 Costco locations are now available on the platform, according to the companies' joint statement.
#costco #expanded #available #platform
2 months ago
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Chipotle will expand its Apprentice program by placing these employees in over 4,200 company-owned locations by the end of 2027, the chain said in a press release Tuesday.
Apprentices — high-performing employees working toward a management position — are currently in about 75% of its restaurants. Adding more apprentices will create additional opportunities for crew members to advance their careers, while the organization builds a deeper management bench.
These up-and-coming leaders are a key part of the chain's unit growth strategy, particularly as it expands towards 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. This year, it expects to open between 350 to 370 company-owned units.
Developing its leadership pipeline is part of the chain's Recipe for Growth strategy, which also includes strengthening its core menu, improving brand messaging and menu innovations, modernizing its business model with technology and expanding its global reach.
#restaurant #dive #employees
Chipotle will expand its Apprentice program by placing these employees in over 4,200 company-owned locations by the end of 2027, the chain said in a press release Tuesday.
Apprentices — high-performing employees working toward a management position — are currently in about 75% of its restaurants. Adding more apprentices will create additional opportunities for crew members to advance their careers, while the organization builds a deeper management bench.
These up-and-coming leaders are a key part of the chain's unit growth strategy, particularly as it expands towards 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. This year, it expects to open between 350 to 370 company-owned units.
Developing its leadership pipeline is part of the chain's Recipe for Growth strategy, which also includes strengthening its core menu, improving brand messaging and menu innovations, modernizing its business model with technology and expanding its global reach.
#restaurant #dive #employees
2 months ago
Walk into a Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL) location on a Saturday afternoon, and you will see the mechanism of the company's business model in action. It's a literal hunt for value: a customer finds a name-brand jacket at a steep discount, checks the tag, and takes it to the register. Burlington operates as an off-price retailer of apparel, footwear, and home goods. With the stock priced at $228.73 as of Sept. 15, 2026, it has fallen by 15% over the past 12 months, a period marked by significant operational expansion and active navigation of the retail sector.
Our proprietary Hidden Gems scoring system ****** igns Burlington Stores an overall Superscore of 78 out of 100, placing it in the Strong category. The Superscore is an AI-powered metric that evaluates a company's overall strength by combining financial performance, product-market position, technological capabilities, leadership quality, and relative valuation. It represents the unification of all our scores into a single score for public companies, with five rating bands: Exceptional (90-100), Strong (75-89), Above Average (60-74), Average (40-59), and Cautious (0-39).
This 78 Superscore places the company in the Top ~14% of every company we score. This ****** ysis provides a data-driven signal to help you weigh the company's operational strengths against its risks as part of your own due diligence.
Accelerated store growth: Management successfully opened 104 net new stores in fiscal 2025, executing a long-term strategy to reach 2,000 total locations.
Operational efficiency gains: Gross margin reached 46% in Q2 fiscal 2026, driven by improved inventory turnover and a sophisticated supply chain that distributes goods from six regional centers.
#strong
Our proprietary Hidden Gems scoring system ****** igns Burlington Stores an overall Superscore of 78 out of 100, placing it in the Strong category. The Superscore is an AI-powered metric that evaluates a company's overall strength by combining financial performance, product-market position, technological capabilities, leadership quality, and relative valuation. It represents the unification of all our scores into a single score for public companies, with five rating bands: Exceptional (90-100), Strong (75-89), Above Average (60-74), Average (40-59), and Cautious (0-39).
This 78 Superscore places the company in the Top ~14% of every company we score. This ****** ysis provides a data-driven signal to help you weigh the company's operational strengths against its risks as part of your own due diligence.
Accelerated store growth: Management successfully opened 104 net new stores in fiscal 2025, executing a long-term strategy to reach 2,000 total locations.
Operational efficiency gains: Gross margin reached 46% in Q2 fiscal 2026, driven by improved inventory turnover and a sophisticated supply chain that distributes goods from six regional centers.
#strong
2 months ago
Dick's Sporting Goods has been one of the big success stories in the brick-and-mortar retail ***** e.
At a time when many rivals have been shrinking their physical store counts, the sporting goods giant has leaned into stores, creating new experiential concepts and generally rethinking its retail strategy.
The chain has selectively built House of Sport locations that offer running tracks, batting cages, golf simulators, and other interactive options.
"House of Sport locations now seeing 5-6 times the number of visits per location compared to the rest of the chain. For reference, the average ***** 's Sporting Goods store is roughly 50K square feet square feet compared to 100K-120K square feet for House of Sport, indicating that House of Sport is also outperforming on a visit per square foot basis," according to 2024 data from Placer.ai.
That's a win, and the overall company delivered a nearly 5% comparable store sales gain in the second quarter. Chairman Edward Stack celebrated that success during the chain's second-quarter earnings call.
#square
At a time when many rivals have been shrinking their physical store counts, the sporting goods giant has leaned into stores, creating new experiential concepts and generally rethinking its retail strategy.
The chain has selectively built House of Sport locations that offer running tracks, batting cages, golf simulators, and other interactive options.
"House of Sport locations now seeing 5-6 times the number of visits per location compared to the rest of the chain. For reference, the average ***** 's Sporting Goods store is roughly 50K square feet square feet compared to 100K-120K square feet for House of Sport, indicating that House of Sport is also outperforming on a visit per square foot basis," according to 2024 data from Placer.ai.
That's a win, and the overall company delivered a nearly 5% comparable store sales gain in the second quarter. Chairman Edward Stack celebrated that success during the chain's second-quarter earnings call.
#square
