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☆ Nestle to launch Vital Pursuit frozen-food brand targeting GLP-1 users
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Nestle is launching a new frozen-food brand, Vital Pursuit, aimed at the growing market of consumers who are using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. In October, Walmart's U.S. CEO John Furner told Bloomberg that people who pick up GLP-1 drugs from its pharmacies are buying less food, typically with fewer calories. But Nestle sees an opportunity to cater to those consumers through Vital Pursuit. Vital Pursuit's packaging won't include mentions of GLP-1 medications, but Nestle said the company will more directly connect the brand to the drugs on social media. The food company expects that its global growth will slow this year as inflation-weary consumers buy less of its products.

Persons: Oprah Winfrey, Elon, Morgan Stanley, John Furner, Nestle, Steve Presley, Laffy, Ferrero, Presley Organizations: Nestle, Walmart's U.S, Bloomberg, Vital, North, CNBC, Toll, Lean, Swiss Locations: U.S, GLP

☆ Why French Oak Barrels Are so Expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Chris Snyder | Amelia Kosciulek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Luxury winemakers producing some of the most expensive wine in the world will pay up to $50,000 for a single barrel to age their wine. But not just any barrel — a foudre. A foudre is a massive wooden vat that impacts and preserves the overall taste of the wine. Making a foudre starts with French oak, a tightly grained wood that adds unique flavoring to the wine. The wood is so precious — and so expensive — that the French government heavily regulates its sales through annual auctions of oak forest plots.

Organizations: Business

"Consumers continue to be even more discriminating with every dollar that they spend as they faced elevated prices in their day-to-day spending," McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the company's conference call in late April. Paul Weaver | SOPA Images | Getty ImagesFor more than two years, consumers have dealt with sharply rising prices. But that doesn't mean the actual prices seen on grocery store shelves or restaurant menus will fall, and shoppers are feeling that pinch. While some CEOs have said that consumers are growing more cautious, others — like those in the airline industry — have celebrated strong and persistent spending. Corporate misfires can also lead to disappointing sales, even if their shoppers aren't necessarily pulling back on their spending.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski, Burger, Paul Weaver, Jerome Powell, Aurelia Concepcion, Concepcion, it's, Joe Raedle, Brett House, John David Rainey, Ramon Laguarta, Ed Bastian, We're, Daniel Slim, Brian Niccol, Calvin McDonald, Laxman Narasimhan, Sara Senatore, Spencer Platt Organizations: DAL, Washington Post, Home, Delta Air Lines, Consumers, of Labor, CPI, KFC, Starbucks, Columbia Business School, Walmart, Finance, CNBC, PepsiCo, Gatorade, Pepsi, United, Delta Airlines Boeing, Owen Roberts International, AFP, Getty, Delta, Target, Bank of America Locations: Manhattan, Bloomsburg , Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Ohio, Miami , Florida, U.S, Delta, Europe, Asia, Japan, George Town, Cayman Islands, New York City

A sign is posted on the exterior of a Red Lobster restaurant on April 17, 2024 in Rohnert Park, California. Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, continuing the process to shrink its footprint and find a buyer, the company said in a statement. CNBC reported last month Red Lobster was seeking a buyer, weighed down by significant debt and long-term leases. At the time, it was tough to predict that Red Lobster would see sales drop as much as they have. "This restructuring is the best path forward for Red Lobster," Tibus said in a statement late Sunday.

Persons: — Jonathan Tibus, Alvarez, Marsal, Tibus, Red, we've, General Mills, Darden, Kim Lopdrup, Paul Kenny's, Kenny Organizations: CNBC, Golden, Darden, Food, General, Thai Union Group, Thai Union, Red Lobster, Seafood Alliance, Thai Locations: Rohnert Park , California, U.S, Canada, Orlando , Florida, Olive, Thai

The Joint Program Office declined to comment to Military.com regarding the restriction. A spokesperson for the Marine Corps could not provide details on the restriction but said efforts are underway to return the aircraft to full operations. Pedro Caballero, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps, told Military.com when asked whether the restrictions applied to its roughly 350 Ospreys, the vast majority of the military's fleet. US Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys take off at Port Darwin in Australia. An MV-22B Osprey conducts an external lift with US Marines during helicopter support team training at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California.

Persons: —, Military.com, Beth Teach, Cpl, Juan Torres, Capt, Pedro Caballero, Caballero, Colton Martin Lt, Rebecca Heyse, Amelia Kang, Brian Taylor, Taylor, Juan Paz Taylor Organizations: Service, Force, Marine Corps, Ospreys, Business, Navy, Naval Air Forces, Office, Naval Air Systems Command, Royal Australian Air Force Base, US Marine Corps, Corps, Port Darwin, Air Force Special Operations Command, Greyhound, House Armed Services, US Marines, Marine Corps Air, Services, Aviation, Air Force, Marines, Program Office, Marine, US Air National Guard, Staff Locations: Japan, Port, Australia, Miramar , California, Darwin, Washington ,, Lemonnier, Djibouti

☆ Walmart says more diners are buying its groceries as fast food gets pricey
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart wants diners to find a value meal in its grocery aisles. As fast food gets pricier, the nation's largest grocer sees a sales opportunity. As customers see some grocery items stay the same price or even become cheaper, the gap between buying menu items and cooking food at home has grown even wider, he said. As of April, the price of food at home, a category that measures the total cost of food purchased at grocers or other food stores, was up 1.1% year over year. The price of food away from home rose significantly more: 4.1% year over year.

Persons: John David Rainey, McDonald's, Chris Kempczinski, John Furner, Furner, — CNBC's Amelia Lucas Organizations: Walmart, CNBC, Yum Brands, Management Solutions, Restaurant, U.S . Labor Department, Walmart U.S Locations: U.S, Connecticut

☆ McDonald's $5 value meal is coming in June — and staying for just a month
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Kate Rogers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

McDonald's is set to offer a $5 value meal in the U.S., but only for a limited time. "We know how much it means to our customers when McDonald's offers meaningful value and communicates it through national advertising. That's been true since our very beginning and never more important than it is today," McDonald's said in a statement to CNBC. CNBC last week reported the fast-food giant was working to bring a value offering to menus, with details being discussed and voted on by franchisees. McDonald's recently reported a mixed first quarter, with U.S. same-store sales slightly missing expectations.

Persons: That's, McDonald's, Chris Kempczinski, John Palmaccio, — CNBC's Amelia Lucas Organizations: CNBC, U.S, National Advertising Fund Locations: U.S

☆ Fat Brands confidentially files to IPO Twin Peaks, Smokey Bones brands days after federal indictment
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Fat Brands announced its intention to spin off Twin Peaks through an IPO last year. Since its founding in 2005, Twin Peaks has grown to nearly 115 restaurant locations in the U.S. and Mexico. Smokey Bones is a newer addition to Fat Brands' portfolio, which currently includes 18 chains. Fat Brands acquired it in September 2023, with the goal of converting more than half of its 61 corporate-owned restaurants into Twin Peaks locations. Wiederhorn has a 45% stake in Fat Brands through Fog Cutter Holdings, according to FactSet.

Persons: Brands, Smokey, Andy Wiederhorn, Smokey Bones, Darden, Wiederhorn Organizations: Fat Brands, Securities and Exchange, Brands, SEC, Hooters, Olive Garden, Fog Cutter Locations: Wiederhorn, Los Angeles, U.S, Mexico, Olive, Twin

☆ Sweetgreen, Chipotle and other fast-casual chains are bucking the consumer slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

High-income consumers helped Chipotle Mexican Grill , Wingstop and Sweetgreen report strong sales this quarter, bucking the broader consumer slowdown that's been hurting other eateries. The sector saw higher traffic growth than any other dining sector from November to February, according to GuestXM data. High-income consumers haven't felt the same pinch as those in lower-income brackets. Wingstop saw its same-store sales soar 21% in the quarter. On Thursday, the salad chain reported first-quarter same-store sales growth of 5% and raised its full-year outlook for same-store sales growth.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski, John Peyton, haven't, Wingstop, Michael Skipworth, Jonathan Neman Organizations: Starbucks, KFC, Yum Brands, CNBC, Dine Brands

☆ Fat Brands and chair Andy Wiederhorn indicted in $47 million 'sham' loan scheme
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Federal authorities on Friday charged Fat Brands and its chair Andy Wiederhorn of committing a brazen scheme that netted him $47 million in bogus loans from the restaurant company that owns Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Twin Peaks. Fat Brands, Wiederhorn and a few other people were criminally indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles for wire fraud, tax evasion and other counts related to the alleged scheme. "These charges are unprecedented, unwarranted, unsubstantiated and unjust," Fat Brands counsel Brian Hennigan said in a statement. As chief executive of Fat Brands, Wiederhorn, 58, allegedly directed the company to loan its own funds to him, with no intention of ever paying the "sham" loans back, according to the indictment. He also did not report any of the so-called loans from Fat Brands as income, according to the indictment.

Persons: Andy Wiederhorn, Johnny, Brian Hennigan, Wiederhorn, overreach —, Nicola Hanna, Wiederhorn's, Thayer, Ron Roe, Rebecca Hershinger, William Amon Organizations: Brands, Johnny Rockets, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Fat Brands, SEC, Fog, Wiederhorn Locations: Los Angeles, Oregon, U.S

☆ McDonald’s is working to introduce a $5 value meal
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Kate Rogers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

McDonald's is working to introduce a value meal in U.S. stores to help offset an increasingly challenging environment for consumers, two people familiar with the matter told CNBC. The value meal was first reported by Bloomberg News. The potential new offering comes at a time when low-income consumers are beginning to pull back on spending, particularly at fast-food brands. Mentions of low-income consumers on company earnings calls are at their highest levels in nearly two years, according to data from Bank of America. An initial proposal by McDonald's for the $5 value meal did not clear necessary hurdles, and additional details are now being discussed, according to a person familiar with the process.

Persons: McDonald's, Dave, Buster's, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, Ian Borden, — CNBC's Amelia Lucas Organizations: CNBC, Bloomberg News, Bank of America, McDonald's, U.S Locations: U.S

☆ McDonald's is betting on its mobile business with new franchisee digital marketing fund
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

McDonald's U.S. franchisees will start paying into a digital marketing fund next year as the fast-food giant looks to expand its booming digital business, according to a memo viewed by CNBC on Thursday. Loyalty program members accounted for more than $6 billion in system-wide sales globally during McDonald's first quarter. The company has 34 million active digital customers in the U.S. By comparison, Chipotle Mexican Grill has 40 million loyalty members, while Starbucks has 32.8 million. In December, McDonald's said it aims to reach 100 million loyalty program members by 2027. Franchisees in the U.K., Canada, Australia and Germany will also pay into the global digital marketing fund.

Persons: Tariq Hassan, Whitney McGinnis, McDonald's Organizations: CNBC, Grill, Starbucks Locations: U.S, Canada, Australia, Germany

☆ Applebee's owner Dine Brands wants to steal fast-food customers with its deals
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Applebee's and IHOP owner Dine Brands thinks its deals can lure away fast-food customers who have grown frustrated with menu prices. The company reported first-quarter earnings that fell short of Wall Street's estimates, and both Applebee's and IHOP's same-store sales shrank more than expected. As Applebee's leans into value with a slate of promotions that includes the return of Dollaritas, Dine Brands CEO John Peyton is confident that the chain can beat out the fast-food chains vying for its customers. Applebee's isn't the only casual-dining chain taking aim at McDonald's and the rest of the fast-food category. "It's top of mind for so many people, and it's because they've grown up with Applebee's," Peyton said.

Persons: Dine, Applebee's, John Peyton, Burger, Peyton, Chris Kempczinski, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Beyonce Organizations: Dine Brands, CNBC, Peyton, Brinker International

☆ Howard Schultz says Starbucks needs to revamp its stores after big earnings miss
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Howard Schultz, former chief executive officer of Starbucks Corp., drinks from a Starbucks mug during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The answer does not lie in data, but in the stores," Schultz wrote in a letter on Sunday evening posted to LinkedIn. He appeared to offer advice to his successor as he tries to turn the chain's sales around. "Leaders must model both humility and confidence as they work to restore trust and increase performance across the organization," Schultz wrote. A year and a half ago, Schultz told CNBC that he does not plan to come back as Starbucks' chief executive again.

Persons: Howard Schultz, Schultz, Sara Senatore, Laxman Narasimhan, Reckitt Organizations: Starbucks Corp, Health, Education, Labor, Starbucks, LinkedIn, Bank of America Securities, CNBC Locations: Washington , DC, U.S, East

☆ I was a single parent in the 90s. It was hard to make adult connections, and sometimes I wish I had had social media.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Jill Robbins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Looking back, I think being a single mom was hard. However, I think today's solo parents have a more difficult time due to the pressures of social media. We adopted our boys in 2012 and 2013, and there was a Facebook mom group for everything. I sometimes wonder how my experience parenting my daughter in the 90s would have been made better or worse by the presence of social media. My experience with Facebook mom groups has taught me that they're mostly a place of judgment and one-upmanship.

Persons: I'm, else's, I've, Amelia Bedelia Organizations: Technology Locations: what's

☆ I taught in a public school for 2 decades. My kids are homeschooled.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Amelia Shearer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I worked in public schools for over two decades and loved that my kids were in school. Not only did homeschooling seem difficult and intimidating, but as a former teacher, I loved that my kids were in school. For more than two decades, I worked in schools — as a classroom teacher, after-school program teacher, volunteer, tutor, and substitute. There were growing pains, but this new version of school worked for us. During remote learning, for the first time, they had the freedom to focus on learning without the social exhaustion of a seven-hour school day.

Persons: —, we've Organizations: Service, National Parks, inclusivity Locations: —, Spain, Kenya, Costa Rica, United States

☆ Yum Brands earnings miss estimates as Pizza Hut, KFC sales disappoint
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Yum Brands on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that missed analysts' expectations as Pizza Hut and KFC struggled to attract customers. Yum's global same-store sales also fell 3% in the quarter, missing StreetAccount estimates of 0.2% same-store sales growth. Across Yum's three largest brands, only Taco Bell reported same-store sales growth. Taco Bell's U.S. locations reported same-store sales growth of 2%, while its international business posted a decline of 2%. Pizza Hut reported same-store sales dropped 7%, as demand lagged both in its home market and internationally.

Persons: Taco Bell, Yum Organizations: Yum Brands, KFC, LSEG Locations: Austin , Texas, Yum's, Mexican, Bell's U.S, U.S, China

☆ I left my $90K job to take care of my mom full-time. Now I make less than minimum wage.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alma Valencia, who once earned $90K in fashion, cares for her mom with dementia for $17.50 an hour. She is part of the "sandwich generation," simultaneously caring for her mom and her children. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . It made sense because we wanted the best for her — and our family struggled to afford full-time, outside help. I was stretched thin as a so-called "sandwich generation caregiver."

Persons: Alma Valencia, —, Mom —, Amelia, Daniel, texted, Alma Valencia I'd, Juan, Caregiving, what's, I've, I'm, Mom Organizations: Service, Social Security, Alma, Business Locations: California, Valencia, San Francisco

☆ Long-predicted consumer pullback finally hits restaurants like Starbucks, KFC and McDonald's
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Starbucks announced a surprise drop in same-store sales for its latest quarter, sending its shares down 17% on Wednesday. Pizza Hut and KFC also reported shrinking same-store sales. Starbucks said bad weather dragged its same-store sales lower. Wingstop , Wall Street's favorite restaurant chain, reported its U.S. same-store sales soared 21.6% in the first quarter. This marks the second consecutive quarter that Burger King reported stronger U.S. same-store sales growth than McDonald's.

Persons: It's, McDonald's, it's, Taco Bell, January's snowstorms, we've, Ian Borden, Wall, International's Popeyes, Chris Kempczinski, Laxman Narasimhan, Narasimhan, David Gibbs, Taco, Yum, Burger, – Organizations: Starbucks Workers, D.C, Starbucks, KFC, Yum Brands, Taco, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Taco Bell, Brands Locations: Dupont Circle, Washington, Pizza, U.S, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Taco

☆ Coca-Cola tops earnings estimates, hikes revenue outlook on higher prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this articleCoca-Cola on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations. The beverage giant also raised its full-year outlook for organic revenue. Shares of the company rose less than 1% in premarket trading. Excluding items, the beverage giant earned 72 cents per share. Net sales rose 3% to $11.30 billion.

Persons: Coke Organizations: LSEG

☆ Starbucks shares sink 10% as same-store sales fall, quarterly results miss
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Starbucks on Tuesday reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue, fueled by a surprise decline in same-store sales. Wall Street was anticipating same-store sales growth of 1%, according to StreetAccount estimates. Across all regions, Starbucks reported shrinking same-store sales and falling traffic. Starbucks' international segment reported same-store sales declines of 6% as both average ticket and transactions dropped. In China, Starbucks' second-largest market, same-store sales plunged 11%, fueled by an 8% decline in average ticket.

Persons: Laxman Narasimhan, Rachel Ruggeri Organizations: Starbucks, LSEG, PepsiCo Locations: U.S, Israel, China

☆ McDonald’s earnings miss estimates as diners pull back, Middle East boycotts hit sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

McDonald's reported mixed quarterly results Tuesday as its reorganization weighed on its profit and boycotts hurt its Middle Eastern sales. McDonald's reported U.S. same-store sales growth of 2.5%, missing expectations of 2.6%. A month into the second quarter, McDonald's U.S. same-store sales are roughly flat, executives said. McDonald's said the segment's same-store sales fell 0.2%, marking the first time since the pandemic that one of the chain's divisions reported a same-store sales decline. McDonald's international operated markets segment, which includes Germany and the United Kingdom, reported same-store sales growth of 2.7%.

Persons: McDonald's, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, Ian Borden, we've, Borden Organizations: LSEG, U.S Locations: U.S, Israel, Japan, Latin America, Germany, United Kingdom

☆ Burger King invests another $300 million to remodel restaurants
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Burger King logo is displayed at a Burger King fast food restaurant on January 17, 2024 in Burbank, California. Burger King will invest another $300 million to remodel about 1,100 of its U.S. restaurants as part of a broader turnaround effort, the chain's parent company said Tuesday. About 100 Burger King locations have been remodeled and updated so far. Still, Burger King has had to chip in its own money to incentivize franchisees to remodel. Burger King will let operators choose how much of a discount they get on the royalties they pay to the company.

Persons: Burger, Tom Curtis, Curtis, Burger King Organizations: Burger King, U.S ., Carrols, Brands, Burger King U.S, CNBC, Restaurant Brands Locations: Burbank , California, Burger, U.S

☆ Did Richard III Kill the Princes in the Tower?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For over 400 years, Richard III has been seen as Britain’s most infamous king — a power-hungry usurper who killed his young nephews to clear the way to the throne. In Shakespeare’s “Richard III,” the king tells an assassin, “I wish the bastards dead,” referring to the princes Edward V and Richard. “And I would have it suddenly performed.”But the king’s murderous image, drawn from history books and cemented in literature and lore, is just not true — or, at least, it has not been proven true, argues Philippa Langley, an author and independent historian. “Maybe there is evidence,” she said over a cup of tea in Edinburgh earlier this year. “But there seems to be no evidence.”

Persons: Richard III, Shakespeare’s “ Richard III, “, Edward V, Richard, Philippa Langley, ” Locations: Edinburgh

☆ As pro-Palestinian protests sweep college campuses, student journalists are rushing to the big story and exams
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Hadas Gold | Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Smith is editor-in-chief of The Lantern, Ohio State University’s student-run newspaper, which has scrambled in recent days to cover pro-Palestinian protests roiling the campus. It’s also finals week, and in the coming days the newspaper’s staff will transition to the next year’s staff. And, for many of these student journalists, it’s becoming a seminal moment in their nascent careers. “Given that we’re student journalists, we know the campus and the students here. As pressure mounted on campus, the newspaper mobilized a handful of writers who worked together to cover the protests.

Persons: Arianna Smith, Smith, It’s, ” Smith, it’s, “, We’re, we’re, Anjali Patel, ” Patel, “ We’re, Amelia Kimball, Kimball, Greg Abbott, ” Kimball, CNN’s John Berman, ” Organizations: CNN, Ohio State University’s, Ohio, ”, University of Southern, The Daily, USC, Daily, University of Texas, The Daily Texan, “ Locations: Gaza, Columbus, University of Southern California, Austin, Texas

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