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[1/5] A Domino's staff member stands next to a sign for a 49-rupee pizza at a restaurant in Noida, India, July 4, 2023. A: With the world's cheapest Domino's pizza. "You are coming to the store or open the app, because there is a 49-rupee callout," he said, adding that Domino's global team supported the plans. Domino's global HQ referred queries about India to its local franchisee. When Khetarpal visited Domino's stores in Chennai and other cities, he said he saw customers emptying out their pockets and only being able to scrape together 49 rupees.

Persons: Adnan Abidi, Sameer Khetarpal, Khetarpal, Merrill Pereyra, They'll, Akshay Jatia, Westlife, It's, Devanshu Bansal, Kiran Raj, Praveen Paramasivam, Aditya Kalra, Saurabh Sharma, Jatindra, Brenda Goh, Hilary Russ, Abhirup Roy, Miyoung Kim, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, India, Sapphire Foods, Domino's, Burger King's, Restaurant Brands, Euromonitor, Yum Brands, Global Financial Services, Pravin Char, Thomson Locations: Noida, India, CHENNAI, DELHI, America, Shanghai, San Francisco, Burger, zeroing, Pizza, New Delhi, Chennai, Burger King's India, United States, U.S, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, New York, Singapore

July 12 (Reuters) - Domino's Pizza (DPZ.N) shares surged 10% on Wednesday after the chain said customers can start using Uber's (UBER.N) Uber Eats and Postmates apps for orders, as it tries to jolt its sluggish delivery business. Domino's said Uber Eats will be its exclusive third-party platform in the U.S. until at least 2024, as per its "global agreement" with the ride-share company. Domino's had been a holdout in working with third-party delivery companies, preferring instead its own app, website and drivers. But being listed on Uber Eats and Postmates means it will now be easier for Domino's to reach new customers used to ordering there. At the same time, Domino's will continue using its own uniformed drivers for deliveries, allowing it to maintain control of its brand, image and food quality.

Persons: Domino's, Uber, Jim Sanderson, Peter Saleh, Angelo Zino, Granth Vanaik, Hilary Russ, Janane Venkatraman, Pooja Desai, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Domino's, CFRA Research, Thomson Locations: U.S, Uber's U.S, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Bengaluru, New York

[1/5] Starbucks workers attend a protest as part of a collective action over a Pride decor dispute, outside a Starbucks shop in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., June 25, 2023. About a dozen Starbucks workers picketed outside New York's Astor Place location in lower Manhattan on Sunday afternoon near the route of the city's Pride parade, chanting: "New York is a union town! Starbucks spent decades building its reputation as a progressive company that supports LGBTQ+ workers and customers. Maggie McKeon, who was headed into the Starbucks at Astor Place, turned around after learning about the strike. Sam Cornetta, a barista at the Farmingville, New York, Starbucks, who joined coworkers on strike at Astor Place on Sunday, said the company was alienating LGBTQ+ workers.

Persons: David Dee Delgado, Lynne Fox, we've, Jackie Zhou, Maggie McKeon, McKeon, baristas, Arthur Pratt, Pratt, Sam Cornetta, They've, Hilary Russ, Caroline Valetkevitch, Vanessa O'Connell, Lananh Nguyen, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Starbucks Corp, Workers, Starbucks, Seattle, Workers United, Reuters, U.S, Supreme, Pride, Seattle Gay, Human Rights, HRC, National Labor Relations Board, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, Astor, York, New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Portland , Oregon, , New York, Ashland , NY, New York

[1/5] Customers stand next to a counter at a Starbucks' outlet at a market in New Delhi, India, May 30, 2023. Starbucks plans to open more stores in smaller towns, said an industry source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Soon after Starbucks' May launch of $3.33 milkshakes, designed to attract children, Third Wave launched its own range, a fifth cheaper at $2.71. He saw Starbucks' cheaper, small-sized drinks as a response to competition in "an incredibly price-sensitive market". "Going deeper into smaller cities, beyond the metros, is the only way to grow," said Ankur Bisen, head of retail at India's Technopak Advisors.

Persons: Sushant Dash, Tim Hortons, Devangshu Dutta, We've, chai, Chas Hermann, Sushant Goel, Matt Chitharanjan, Dash, Ankur Bisen, Sriram, Aditya Kalra, Anushree Fadnavis, Varun Vyas, Euan Rocha, Miyoung Kim, Sophie Yu, Hilary Russ, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, MUMBAI, Blue, Starbucks, Tata Group, BET, CHAI, Wave, Third, Reuters, Blue Tokai, India's Technopak, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, American, DELHI, U.S, Blue Tokai, China, Singapore, United States, Bengaluru, Delhi, Aurangabad, Beijing, New York

NEW YORK, June 6 (Reuters) - Subway reached an agreement with a master franchisee to open nearly 4,000 new sandwich shops across mainland China over the next 20 years, it said on Tuesday. Other companies are also beefing up their presence in China, including Starbucks, which plans to open 3,000 new stores there by 2025. Subway's deal with master franchisee Shanghai Fu-Rui-Shi Corporate Development Co Ltd (FRS) is the largest such agreement in Subway's history. FRS will get exclusive rights to manage and develop all Subway locations in China. "China is a key market with significant long-term growth opportunity, and we look forward to bringing the Subway experience to even more guests in the region," Subway Chief Executive John Chidsey said in a statement.

Persons: John Chidsey, Hilary Russ, Lincoln Organizations: YORK, Starbucks, Shanghai Fu, Corporate Development Co, Asia Investment Capital, Thomson Locations: China, U.S

That month, it announced five new agreements with multi-unit operators to condense and transfer more than 230 existing restaurants. "There is strong interest in growth opportunities with Subway from multi-unit operators," Subway said in a statement to Reuters for this story. Klein, the franchise attorney, said that since 2022, his firm examined three multi-unit Subway deals on behalf of clients interested in investing in the chain for the first time. Of the 100 largest multi-unit U.S. restaurant franchisees by revenue in 2022, none had a Subway in their portfolio, according to a ranking by Franchise Times magazine. Instead, top franchisees owned hundreds of Wendy's (WEN.O), Yum Brands' (YUM.N) Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, Restaurant Brands' Burger King, Dine Brands' (DIN.N) Applebee's and other chains.

Persons: Justin Klein, John Gordon, Klein, it's, Gordon, Burger, Alicia Miller, Hilary Russ, Matthew Lewis Organizations: YORK, Subway, Reuters, QSR Magazine, Restaurant Brands International Inc, Times, Yum Brands, Bell, Restaurant Brands, Catalyst Insight, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, Miami, Jersey, New York, Nevada, New Mexico

May 2 (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) beat Wall Street estimates on Tuesday for quarterly profits and comparable sales, powered by a sharp recovery in business in China and steady demand for its coffees and cold drinks in North America. Even so, some analysts expected China sales to remain in the red after tumbling 29% the previous quarter. Instead, the world's largest coffeehouse chain posted a 3% rise in China comparable sales in its second quarter ended April 2, boosting the company's international sales 7%, more than double the 2.94% increase of the average analyst's estimate, according to Refinitiv data. Globally, the Seattle-based chain's comparable sales climbed 11%, trouncing analysts' expectation of a 7.36% rise. Excluding one-time items, Starbucks earned 74 cents per share, beating estimates of 65 cents.

NEW YORK, May 1 (Reuters) - Subway, which is exploring a potential $10 billion sale, further shrank last year in the United States as franchisees closed 2.7% of the brand's sandwich shops, squeezing its royalties and fees. The chain shed another net 571 locations in 2022 after even steeper closings in previous years in the United States, its largest global market, according to the latest disclosure document it provides to franchisees who are interested in buying locations. Subway has closed thousands of U.S. locations in recent years due to over-expansion, outdated operations and decor, stale menus and $5 footlong deals that eroded franchisees' profits. Subway franchisees closed more than 1,000 net U.S. locations in 2021 and 1,609 in 2020. At the end of 2022, Subway had 20,576 shops in the United States.

April 25 (Reuters) - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG.N) topped Wall Street expectations for first-quarter profits and sales on Tuesday, helped by higher menu prices, 41 new restaurant openings and some recovery among lower-income customers. The company said it expects second quarter and full year comparable sales growth in the mid-to-high single digits. Even with inflation squeezing household budgets, restaurant chains are expected to post higher sales growth in the first quarter. Comparable sales at California-based Chipotle jumped about 11% in the first quarter, while analysts on average expected an 8.6% rise, according to Refinitiv data. Inflation in the second half is "really a wild card," Chief Financial Officer Jack Hartung said on the earnings call.

NEW YORK, April 18 (Reuters) - Burger King is banking on its viral "Whopper Whopper" jingle to lift sales as part of the flagging fast-food chain's turnaround plan, as broader economic uncertainty pushed two big franchisees into bankruptcy. "I'm optimistic about the trajectory of sales in 2023," said U.S. and Canada Burger King president Tom Curtis in an interview, adding that the jingle's fervent success was "unanticipated." Unlike other fast-food chains like Subway that are consolidating restaurant ownership among fewer franchisees, Burger King is expanding the number of owners in its system. This year, two large U.S. Burger King franchisees that run more than 200 locations across at least 10 states have filed for bankruptcy, citing poor sales atop surging costs for labor and goods. "We don't want to diminish the importance of this crisis, but we also will leverage it to bring in new operators," Curtis said.

NEW YORK, April 3 (Reuters) - The number of corporate employees McDonald's Corp(MCD.N) plans to lay off this week will tally in the "hundreds," a source familiar with the burger chain's thinking said on Monday, as the company moves forward with a previously announced restructuring. McDonald's will have more employees going into new roles this week or receiving promotions then being laid off, the source added. The chain known for its Golden Arches has more than 150,000 employees globally, with about 70% based outside of the United States, including in company-owned restaurants. The layoffs do not include the more than 2 million worker in franchised McDonald's restaurants around the world. As part of updating its strategy, McDonald's also plans to build new restaurants.

[1/2] Starbucks workers attend a rally as they go on a one-day strike outside a store in Buffalo, New York, U.S., November 17, 2022. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario//File PhotoNEW YORK, March 29 (Reuters) - Starbucks shareholders approved a proposal for the coffee chain to conduct an independent assessment of its labor practices as it contends with hundreds of newly unionized U.S. cafes, according to voting results filed on Wednesday. The city's public pension funds and a coalition of other shareholders, who combined hold about 2.2 million Starbucks shares, proposed the assessment. "It is clear from the vote result in the proposal that our investors share our commitment to our partners," Starbucks said in its regulatory filing disclosing the results. The Seattle-based company said it will use findings of the review to "understand how we can best support our partners."

REUTERS/Julia NikhinsonWASHINGTON/NEW YORK, March 29 (Reuters) - Starbucks' former Chief Executive Howard Schultz defended himself and the coffee chain against allegations of "union busting" at a U.S. Senate committee hearing in Washington on Wednesday. Senator Bernie Sanders, Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, told Schultz that "Starbucks has waged the most aggressive and illegal union busting campaign in the modern history of our country." "These are allegations and Starbucks has not broken the law," Schultz told Sanders during the hearing. His return to Starbucks as its interim leader in April 2022 was "95% focused on the operations of the business" and his involvement in the company's union strategy has been "de minimis," Schultz said. Republicans defended Schultz, praising the company's competitive wages, health benefits, employee stock purchase program and other benefits.

[1/2] Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz looks on during its Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Seattle, Washington March 21, 2012. Senators blasted ex-Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz on Wednesday over the company's "union busting" when he was at the helm. Starbucks has denied allegations that it illegally fired pro-union baristas or spied on workers as hundreds of stores organized unions starting in late 2021. "These are allegations and Starbucks has not broken the law," Schultz told Sanders during the hearing. His return to Starbucks as its interim leader in April 2022 was "95% focused on the operations of the business" and his involvement in the company's union strategy has been "de minimis," Schultz said.

[1/3] Starbucks workers attend a rally as they go on a one-day strike outside a store in Buffalo, New York, U.S., November 17, 2022. Employees at more than 280 out of its roughly 9,000 company operated U.S. locations have voted to join a labor union since 2021. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accused Starbucks of unlawful anti-union tactics at stores across the country, including allegedly firing pro-union workers. ISS concluded that "there seem to be credible reasons that may lend support to various accusations" raised by Workers United, the NLRB and Starbucks. Starbucks also said it "commenced efforts to conduct a human rights impact assessment" including labor rights, and that it expects to make the results available to shareholders.

Feb 7 (Reuters) - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG.N) missed quarterly comparable sales and profit expectations on Tuesday, as customers pulled back on expensive delivery orders and traffic stalled in December. Comparable sales at California-based Chipotle rose 5.6% in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, while analysts on average expected a 7.1% rise, according to Refinitiv IBES. Visits to Chipotle restaurants fell 10.2% in the fourth quarter, according to data from Placer.ai. Delivery transactions also tumbled 15% as in-store orders surged, and Chipotle restaurants "didn't see that pop" that they normally get in December around the holidays, Chief Financial Officer Jack Hartung said on the call. We think inflation will be reasonably tame," Hartung said, adding that the company had not yet decided whether to raise menu prices further in 2023.

[1/3] Starbucks cups are pictured on a counter in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 16, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo AllegriFeb 2(Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) missed Wall Street expectations for quarterly comparable sales on Thursday, as persistent weakness in the coffee chain's China business offset strong sales in the North American market. That resulted in a 29% fall in China comparable sales for Starbucks in its first fiscal quarter ended Jan. 1, pulling total international comparable sales down 13%. Global comparable sales at Starbucks rose 5%, compared with analysts' average estimate of a 6.75% rise, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Starbucks reiterated its previous guidance of global comparable sales growth of 7% to 9% for its fiscal 2023.

REUTERS/Charles PlatiauCHICAGO/DETROIT, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The companies that produce goods at the heart of the U.S. consumer economy - SUVs, washing machines, heavy equipment and hamburgers - kept rolling along at the end of 2022. Bellwethers including McDonald's (MCD.N), General Motors, Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), appliance maker Whirlpool (WHR.N) and delivery giant United Parcel Service (UPS.N), posted results that exceeded estimates. That's a good sign for the broader economy, according to Lori Calvasina, equity analyst at RBC Capital Markets. The economy's performance may depend on whether price pressures that have afflicted consumer and business spending start to wane. "As we go into 2023, there is going to continue to be inflation," said Christopher Kempczinski, McDonald's CEO, on the company's earnings call Tuesday.

☆ McDonald's tops profit estimates, warns short-term inflation to persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Hilary Russ | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] McDonald's Crispy Chicken Sandwiches and fries are pictured in New York, U.S. March 30, 2021. REUTERS/Hilary RussJan 31 (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) on Tuesday beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly profit on higher menu prices, even as it warned short-term inflationary pressures would persist in 2023. McDonald's benefited from higher menu prices, increased restaurant traffic and sales in the UK, Germany and France rose despite fears of a recession in Europe. Visits to some other fast-food chains started to fall last summer as they hiked menu prices, he said. McDonald's U.S. comparable sales rose 10.3% in the quarter ended Dec. 31.

☆ McDonald's sales surge, warns short-term inflation to persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Hilary Russ | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A huge advertisement for a branch of fast-food giant McDonald's is seen on the outskirts of Berlin, Germany, April 22, 2016. The burger chain's global same-store sales increased 12.6% in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with estimates for an 8.6% rise, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. That is compared to a 0.6% decline for fast food overall in the fourth quarter over the previous year. Visits to some other fast-food chains started to fall last summer as they hiked menu prices, he said. McDonald's U.S. comparable sales rose 10.3% in the quarter.

☆ McDonald's beats profit estimates, warns short-term inflation to persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Hilary Russ | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Hilary RussJan 31 (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) on Tuesday beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly profit on higher menu prices, even as it warned short-term inflationary pressures would persist in 2023. McDonald's benefited from higher menu prices, increased restaurant traffic and sales in the UK, Germany and France rose despite fears of a recession in Europe. Even so, traffic rose 5% for full-year 2022 as McDonald's meals remained less expensive than many competitors, drawing low-income consumers. Visits to some other fast-food chains started to fall last summer as they hiked menu prices, he said. McDonald's U.S. comparable sales rose 10.3% in the quarter ended Dec. 31.

Known for its Birds Eye, Chef Boyardee and Slim Jim brands, Conagra is increasing some of its prices in its current fiscal 2023 third quarter. "We don't currently have any plans to take additional pricing beyond that," Connolly said, noting the plans could change if inflation persists. The price of groceries eaten at home rose an estimated 11%-12% in 2022, versus a 7%-8% increase in restaurant menu prices, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "If you're going to spend your day at home instead of in the office, odds are the breakfast and the lunch that you're going to have is going to be a product like a Healthy Choice Power Bowl," Connolly said. "We've now moved it to just about everything we sell in our frozen meals business," he said.

NEW YORK, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Conagra Brands Inc (CAG.N) Chief Executive Officer Sean Connolly said in a Reuters Newsmaker interview on Tuesday that he sees double-digit inflation in fiscal 2023, although protein costs are moderating. The company, known for its brands Birds Eye and Chef Boyardee, raised its full-year forecasts last week, after beating quarterly results, helped mainly by higher prices for its snacks and ready-to-eat meals. Its share price rose 12% in 2022 and shot up further after the improved forecasts. Packaged food makers have undergone several rounds of price increases in the past year to shield their profit margins from higher costs, which people have accepted as they find eating out far more expensive than cooking at home. Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli and Hilary Russ in New York Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ McDonald's to boost restaurant growth, streamline some programs
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Hilary Russ | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

McDonald's beat sales and profit estimates in its last quarterly earnings results in October, helped by higher menu prices and increased foot traffic from inflation-weary customers looking for value meals. Its global same-store sales increased 9.5% in the third quarter. read moreLike other fast-food chains, McDonald's has hiked menu prices to keep up with surging commodity and labor costs. McDonald's strong sales and profits also mean that it - like several other restaurant chains including Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG.N) - can embark on big expansion plans. It now also plans to streamline technology - including its loyalty programs - and menu development in order to get new products into use globally more quickly.

The deal McDonald's struck with former licensee Alexander Govor included a set of requirements the new brand, Vkusno & tochka, must stick to, including restrictions on branding, colour scheme and product usage. New owner Alexander Govor said this week he and the management team regularly talk over video link to the former parent company. "We are not talking about how they somehow participate in our business, this is already done," Vkusno & tochka, which translates to "Tasty & that's it," CEO Oleg Paroev told Reuters. In a statement to Reuters, McDonald's said it fully exited the Russian market earlier this year. Russian authorities in June said McDonald's has an option to buy back its Russia restaurants within 15 years.

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