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☆ Starbucks' iconic coffee cup has a climate problem as mobile, drive-thru orders boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Kaitlin Balasaygun | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

The experience of on-the-go coffee may be reshaped if Starbucks achieves its reusable cup goal. Reusable coffee cup initiatives around the worldStarbucks has been experimenting with reusable cup concepts in markets around the world. Customers can then return their reusable cup at a participating store or by using the Starbucks app at a cup return kiosk. Even though a reusable cup option has been in place at Starbucks for over 30 years, many consumers, and Starbucks employees, remain oblivious to its existence. The future of the Starbucks' cup has broad implications.

Persons: —, Amelia Landers, Matt Prindiville, hasn't, Conrad MacKerron, MacKerron, Prindiville, IGD, Prindville, Kelly McBee, McBee, They're, Landers, Grace Lee Organizations: Starbucks, Business, CNBC, Arizona State University, Consulting, Clean Locations: Colorado, Hawaii, Taiwan, South Korea, Tokyo, Singapore, London, Geneva, Paris, Europe, Middle East, Africa, U.S, Seattle

☆ Consumers are more likely to cut back on restaurant visits than trade down to fight inflation, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People sit outdoors at the Petite Crevette Restaurant on June 05, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. During the Great Recession, consumers hunted for bargains, trading down to cheaper restaurants or picking the least expensive menu options. But today, as inflation puts pressure on their wallets, consumers are more likely to cut back on their restaurant visits instead to preserve their budgets, according to a report from AlixPartners. In April, prices for food away from home rose 8.6% compared with the year-earlier period, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Back in January 2009, just 12% of respondents said they would eliminate or reduce visits to cut back on their restaurant spending.

Persons: Andrew Sharpee Organizations: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Intelligence, AlixPartners Locations: Brooklyn, New York City, AlixPartners

☆ Restaurants expect strong sales this summer. Consumers aren't so sure
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Warmer weather usually boosts restaurant sales, but diners may hold back for the second straight summer as inflation weighs on consumers' minds — and wallets. In addition to higher restaurant bills, diners were also paying more at the gas pump and in grocery stores. Restaurant sales snapped back in August, which Black Box Intelligence attributed to higher consumer confidence levels as gas prices fell. Nearly half of operators surveyed by Datassential anticipate higher sales or improved traffic this summer season. Summer typically ushers in a wave of seasonal restaurant jobs to meet higher demand, particularly in the Northeast and tourist destinations.

☆ Panera Bread parent announces CEO transition as it prepares for 'eventual IPO'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Customers patronize an open Panera Bread location in the Walt Whitman Mall on March 26, 2020 in Huntington Station, New York. JAB Holding, the investment arm of the Reimann family, bought Panera Bread in 2017 for $7.5 billion, taking it private. In the press release, Panera Brands said the leadership changes are "in preparation for its eventual IPO." Panera Bread, the largest chain in the portfolio, has long been known as a technology leader in the restaurant industry. Panera Bread has also been testing A.I.

☆ Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava files for IPO as revenue climbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava saw its revenue rise 12.8% in 2022, according to regulatory filings released Friday as it filed to go public through an initial public offering. Over the last five years, it's converted Zoes' footprint into new Cava locations. Last year, the company's net sales climbed to $564.1 million, 12.8% higher than the year earlier. The company has 263 locations open as of April 16 and plans to open 34 to 44 new units by the end of the year. But investors might have an appetite for Cava stock despite concerns about a potential recession this year hitting restaurant demand.

At the same time, he said the job market is showing an "unprecedented" break from past behavior with a steady drop in job openings without any rise in the unemployment rate. The big unknown is whether that continued job market health is consistent with inflation falling steadily from its current levels above 4% back to the Fed's 2% target. That could allow the job market to cool without as much of a rise in unemployment as might otherwise be the case. Economists and policymakers at this week's conference pointed to other factors adding to the case for a soft landing. But at this point the "uncertainty" about what's at work in the economy could, some officials feel, mask developments that are working in their favor.

☆ Kraft Heinz unveils customizable sauce dispenser with more than 200 condiment combos for restaurants
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Now, Kraft Heinz wants to offer customers more than three times that number of condiment options through a new customizable sauce dispenser, created for food-service clients. The machine, called the Heinz Remix, is the latest example of Kraft Heinz leaning into its away-from-home segment to grow sales. In the first quarter, Kraft Heinz's North American food service division reported sales growth of more than 25%. In its latest quarter, Kraft Heinz reported North American sales grew by 6.2% as higher prices offset shrinking demand from inflation-weary shoppers. Shares of Kraft Heinz have fallen 3% this year, giving it a market value of $48.5 billion.

☆ What Ever Happened to Just Drinking Water?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Brigette Ramirez and her family drove to Houston for a Taylor Swift concert, she made a very important pit stop. Three, actually: T.J. Maxx, T.J. Maxx and T.J. Maxx. Her plan was to add them to tap water, pour the concoction into a Stanley tumbler, film herself doing it and (hopefully) go viral on TikTok. In this latest chapter of America’s obsession with hydration, the thirsty are zhuzhing up tap water for all to see on TikTok under the banner of #WaterTok. They show off elaborately organized “water bars” stocked with sugar-free syrups, low-calorie powders flavored like Skittles and Nerds candy, and brightly colored tumblers.

☆ Paris' Moulin Rouge survived a fire, war, and social changes to become the most famous cabaret in the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Caroline Mishelle Aghajanian | Amelia Kosciulek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url. Link icon An image of a chain link. LinkedIn Fliboard icon A stylized letter F. Flipboard Link icon An image of a chain link. LinkedIn Fliboard icon A stylized letter F. Flipboard Link icon An image of a chain link.

Barkin said he remained open-minded on whether the Fed at its June 13-14 policy meeting should raise the benchmark policy rate for an 11th straight time or leave it at the current range between 5.00% and 5.25%. I do wonder whether we're not going to need more impact on demand to bring inflation down to where we need to go," Barkin said, laying out a potential case for further rate increases. Barkin said he is comfortable overall with the Fed's move earlier this month to a meeting-by-meeting, data-dependent approach after having raised the policy rate by 5 percentage points since March 2022 in an effort to lower the highest inflation in 40 years. "I'm still seeing data that suggests a hot job market and enduring inflation," he said. "I continue to believe that inflation will last longer than perhaps market measures of inflation compensation would suggest.

Ahead of an election on May 21, a cost-of-living crisis that is eroding earnings is foremost in voters' minds. For Klaoudatou it means voting for anyone but the incumbent conservative New Democracy or the opposition leftist Syriza. Reuters GraphicsThree international bailouts saved Greece from toppling out of the euro zone during a decade-long debt crisis that peaked in 2015. "Εven during the crisis - and this is the joke - I didn't think so much before spending a single extra euro," Klaoudatou told Reuters. Reuters GraphicsPAYCHECK BARELY GETS TO PAYCHECKOne in two Greek households could barely get by on their monthly income last year.

☆ China's recovery lifts U.S. companies' sales as domestic consumers pull back spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. companies are reporting that demand in China is returning, boosting their sales at a time when many U.S. consumers are pulling back their spending. Starbucks reported that its same-store sales in China rose 3% in its latest quarter, reversing their declines. Some Wall Street analysts were still anticipating shrinking same-store sales for the company's second-largest market. That quarter, Starbucks' same-store sales in China sank 23%. Yum China , Yum Brands' master franchisee in China, also said its same-store sales grew 8% in the first quarter.

☆ Is Everyone Playing Padel Without Us?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

SANTIAGO, Chile — There are only a handful of places to play pickleball here in Chile’s capital. In its place, a padel court will rise. “There’s just not enough people for it to be a profitable business right now,” said Nicolas Flores, 34, a founder of the Chile Padel Academy, said. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, while padel (pronounced PAH-del) is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. If pickleball is Fahrenheit, padel is Celsius.

☆ Restaurants embrace premium reservations to target big spenders
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

When cities and states rolled back lockdown rules, many implemented new orders for restaurants to help with contact tracing, such as requiring customers to book tables in advance. As a result of those pandemic-fueled changes, restaurants and the companies that help them book their tables are targeting big spenders with premium reservation options to drive higher sales. About two-thirds of SevenRooms' restaurant clients use its software to promote special experiences or sell upgrades when customers book reservations. Page said the move toward premium restaurant reservations can partially explain why it feels like it's so much more competitive to book a table in advance these days. "I kind of don't like the whole 'Disney FastPass line' of restaurant reservations," he said.

Mr. Penny has not been charged in Mr. Neely’s death and it is unclear if he will be. Mr. Neely’s death, they said, was an unnecessary tragedy that underscores the city’s inadequate policies toward its most vulnerable and marginalized residents. Mayor Eric Adams called Mr. Neely’s death “tragic,” but urged patience as officials complete the investigation. What happened on the F train? The police said they received a call at 2:27 p.m. on Monday about a fight on an F train at the Broadway-Lafayette Street subway station in Manhattan.

☆ Salad chain Sweetgreen reports narrowing losses as it aims for profitability
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sweetgreen on Thursday reported a narrower-than-expected loss in its first quarter after slowing its expansion to focus on profitability. The salad chain, which went public in November 2021, is aiming to turn a profit for the first time by 2024. Net sales climbed 22% year over year to $125.1 million, and same-store sales rose 5%, topping FactSet estimates of 4.9%. Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman told CNBC that the chain's Chicken + Chipotle Pepper Bowl drew in new customers and generated buzz. Sweetgreen reiterated most of its 2023 forecast, which projects revenue between $575 million to $595 million and same-store sales growth of 2% to 6%.

☆ Olive Garden parent Darden Restaurants bets on fine dining with $715 million Ruth's Chris deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants is betting on fine dining with its $715 million acquisition of Ruth's Chris Steak House . The average check at Ruth's Chris is $97, according to Darden's investor presentation. For comparison, the average check at Olive Garden, which accounts for roughly half of Darden's revenue, was $21 in fiscal 2022. Still, Darden executives emphasized that the Ruth's Chris acquisition is a long-term bet, and the decision wasn't made based on the current economic cycle. Cardenas also said third-party data shows that there is little overlap between Ruth's Chris customers and those who frequent The Capital Grill and Eddie V's.

☆ Carl's Jr. and Hardee's to roll out Presto's A.I. drive-thru ordering nationwide
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's locations will roll out automated drive-thru ordering nationwide using Presto's artificial intelligence software. Together, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's have about 2,800 restaurants across 44 U.S. states. Hardee's locations are mostly in the Midwest and South, while Carl's Jr. restaurants are found in the West. CKE tested the software last year at a handful of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's locations. CKE operates about 250 of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, while franchisees run the rest.

☆ Yum Brands earnings miss estimates despite KFC and Pizza Hut's recovery in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Yum Brands on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings that fell short of analysts' expectations, despite a China sales rebound for KFC and Pizza Hut. Yum joins the growing list of companies that includes Procter & Gamble and Starbucks that have reported recovering sales in China. In China, KFC's largest market, system sales climbed 17%, helping lift the chain's international same-store sales growth 11%. Overall, Pizza Hut's same-store sales rose 7%. Next quarter, Yum won't face any comparisons that include its Russian business because the company suspended operations there in early March last year.

☆ Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants buys Ruth's Chris Steak House for $715 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Darden Restaurants said Wednesday it is buying Ruth's Hospitality Group , the parent company of Ruth's Chris Steak House, for $715 million. Ruth's CEO Cheryl Henry will stay on as president of Ruth's Chris and report to Cardenas. Ruth's Chris was founded in 1965 after Ruth Fertel bought Chris Steak House in New Orleans. The terms of the sale kept her from reusing the name at other locations, so she chose to name new locations Ruth's Chris Steak House. As of Tuesday's close, Darden's stock had risen nearly 10% this year, giving it a market value of $18.4 billion.

☆ An explosion of hidden 'junk fees' is making every home more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

The fee goes by many names: an administrative fee, a transaction fee, or even a "regulatory compliance" fee. Despite the controversy, all signs indicate that brokerages large and small have increasingly embraced the admin fee in recent years. The vast majority of real-estate agents are independent contractors who rely on commissions to earn a living. Admin fees may be one of the most polarizing topics among real-estate agents today. "I'm in a place in my business right now where I can justify paying that," the Las Vegas agent told me.

☆ Real estate agents are tacking ludicrous 'junk fees' on to every home purchase
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

☆ Starbucks earnings beat as China reverses same-store sales declines
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Starbucks on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations, fueled by better-than-expected international sales. In China, the company's second-largest market, Starbucks saw its same-store sales increase for the first time since Starbucks' fiscal third quarter in 2021 as customers returned to its cafes following the rollback of the country's zero Covid policy. The company's same-store sales climbed 11% in the quarter, beating StreetAccount estimates of 7.1%. Outside the U.S., the coffee chain's same-store sales increased 7%. Last quarter, Starbucks said it is projecting revenue growth of 10% to 12% and adjusted earnings per share growth on the low end of 15% to 20%.

☆ Restaurant Brands earnings beats estimates, fueled by Tim Hortons' and Burger King's strong sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In this photo illustration, a Burger King Whopper hamburger is displayed on April 05, 2022 in San Anselmo, California. Restaurant Brands International on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analysts' expectations, fueled by double-digit same-store sales growth at Tim Hortons and Burger King. The company's same-store sales grew 10.3% in the quarter, fueled by double-digit growth at Burger King and Tim Hortons. In Canada, its home market, it reported same-store sales growth of 15.5%. Firehouse Subs, the latest addition to Restaurant Brands' portfolio, saw its same-store sales rise 6.1% in the quarter.

☆ Prebiotic soda Olipop approaches $200 million in annual sales — and CEO says Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have already come knocking
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Prebiotic soda maker Olipop is set to cross $200 million in annual sales this year, just five years after it arrived on grocery store shelves. Olipop had raised $55.4 million as of Jan. 2, at a reported valuation of $199.8 million, according to Pitchbook data. Consumers are also increasingly interested in "gut health," one of the latest wellness trends. Both Olipop and Poppi have leaned into influencer marketing on TikTok, where gut health became a trending topic last year. But Olipop's Goodwin is confident that consumers are willing to pay more for the drinks he formulates.

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