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☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Roblox, Enphase Energy, Snap, Alibaba and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter came in at 54 cents, slightly below the 55 cents expected from analysts polled by FactSet. Yum Brands — The restaurant stock added 3% despite Yum Brands' adjusted earnings and revenue miss for the fourth quarter. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 77 cents, topping the consensus estimate of 62 cents, according to FactSet. The company added about 300,000 net digital-only subscribers quarter over quarter, but advertising revenues came in below the company's guidance. Chipotle Mexican Grill — Shares added 8% a day after the fast-casual restaurant chain reported stronger-than-expected adjusted earnings and revenue.

Persons: Alessandro DiNello, Badri Kothandaraman, Alibaba, Amgen, Chipotle, Sonos, Walt Disney, Walt Disney's, Discovery, Fox, Alex Harring, Brian Evans, Sarah Min, Hakyung Kim Organizations: LSEG, New York Community Bank, Moody's Investors, New, Community, Enphase Energy, FactSet, Revenue, Yum Brands, KFC, Taco Bell, LSEG . Revenue, Leerink Partners, CVS, New York Times, Warner Bros, Discovery, Fox, Walt Disney's ESPN, Walt Disney, Disney, Cirrus Locations: LSEG ., Israel, Alibaba —, FactSet, FactSet .

☆ Yum Brands disappoints as KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut fall short of same-store sales expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | 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 KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut all reported weaker-than-expected sales. Pizza Hut reported same-store sales declines of 2%, missing expectations of 0.6% growth. The pizza chain's U.S. same-store sales shrank 4%, while its international same-store sales were flat. The Mexican-inspired chain reported same-store sales growth of 3%, missing StreetAccount estimates of 3.8%. A year earlier, the chain reported same-store sales growth of 11%, fueled by the permanent return of its cult-favorite Mexican Pizza.

Persons: Yum, Taco Bell, David Gibbs Organizations: KFC, Taco, Yum Brands, Taco Bell, Starbucks, LSEG Locations: Taco Bell, Edmonton, Edmonton , Alberta, Canada, Israel

☆ Pizza Hut’s ‘Goodbye Pies’ campaign wants to aid your breakup woes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( John Towfighi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Pizza Hut wants you to say goodbye with a Hot Honey pie. Pizza Hut launched its “Goodbye Pies” campaign February 6, which lets customers order free Pizza Hut delivery to the address of an ex-lover. The campaign is centered on the release of new Pizza Hut menu items, including a Hot Honey pizza and Hot Honey wings. The “Goodbye Pies” campaign runs until February 14 and is available in select locations in New York, Miami, and Chicago. Pizza Hut has a history of marketing campaigns aimed at differentiating their brand from competitors like Papa John’s and Domino’s.

Persons: ” Lindsay Morgan, Papa Organizations: CNN, Pizza Locations: GoodbyePies.com, New York, Miami, Chicago

☆ People in California will soon be paying more for Chipotle, McDonald's, and other fast-food
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

To compensate for the extra cost of labor, restaurants like McDonald's, Chipotle, and Jack In the Box plan to raise menu prices at their California stores. AdvertisementIn an October earnings call, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said that menu prices would increase in California, but didn't say which items or by how much. Kempczinski said in the call that the company would be using the wage increase as an opportunity to gain on its competitors. This will be the fifth time the company has raised menu prices in the last two years. Pizza Hut cut its in-house delivery program, eliminating 1,200 delivery workers to prepare for the pay increase.

Persons: —, Jack, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, McDonald's, Chipotle, Jeff Hanscom, Hanscom Organizations: Service, National Owners Association, Street Journal, Wall, International Franchise Association Locations: California, Chipotle

☆ McDonald's and Starbucks blame the Israel-Hamas war for slower sales — and the recovery might take a while
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's and Starbucks , two of the biggest U.S. restaurant companies, both said the Israel-Hamas war hurt their sales at the end of last year. Shares of McDonald's fell 4% in morning trading Monday, several hours after it reported that a sales slowdown in the Middle East contributed to its fourth-quarter revenue miss. Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said Tuesday that the company's sales in the Middle East struggled, but boycotts also hurt its U.S. cafes. Unlike Starbucks, McDonald's did not note any effect on its U.S. sales. Yum Brands is scheduled to report its quarterly results on Wednesday, while Restaurant Brands is slated to share its earnings on Feb. 13.

Persons: Laxman Narasimhan, McDonald's, Cowen, Andrew Charles, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, Papa John's, Burger Organizations: U.S, Starbucks, Starbucks Workers, Workers United, McDonald's, Yum Brands, Restaurant Brands, CNBC PRO Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, Malaysia, Indonesia, France, Europe

For instance, the U.S. has blocked shipments of cotton coming from China, a top manufacturer of popular clothing brands, because it was produced by forced or prison labor. While prison labor seeps into the supply chains of some companies through third-party suppliers without them knowing, others buy direct. Cargill acknowledged buying goods from prison farms in Tennessee, Arkansas and Ohio, saying they constituted only a small fraction of the company’s overall volume. For instance, about a dozen state prison farms, including operations in Texas, Virginia, Kentucky and Montana, have sold more than $60 million worth of cattle since 2018. “What for?”FOLLOWING THE MONEYThe business of prison labor is so vast and convoluted that tracing the money can be challenging.

Persons: it’s, Willie Ingram, “ They’d, billy clubs, they’d, ”, Ingram, didn’t, they’re, don’t, Andrea Armstrong, Frank Dwayne Ellington, Ellington, Koch, “ It’s, it’s somebody’s, Alishia Powell, Clark, “, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus, Archer Daniels, Cargill, ” McDonald’s, Mills, ” Bunge, Burger, Jermaine Hudson, ” Hudson, Calvin Thomas, Thomas, Ken Pastorick, Pastorick, Jennifer Turner, Faye Jacobs, Jacobs, ’ ” David Farabough, they’ve, Joshua Sbicca, Cliff Johnson, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee, Tyson, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, that’s, ” Ivey, “ They’re, ’ ”, William “ Buck ” Saunders, Hickman’s, Brooke Counts, Counts, John’s, Jack Strain, Tammany Parish, Russell Stover, Curtis Davis, Robert Bumsted, Cody Jackson, Columbia University’s Ira A, Lipman Organizations: Louisiana State Penitentiary, The Associated Press, Walmart, Cargill, U.S, Kroger, Target, Aldi, Corrections, Loyola University New Orleans, Koch Foods, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Washington, Archer Daniels Midland, Consolidated, AP, Foods, Dairy Farmers of, Big, Sam’s, Tyson Foods, U.S ., Civilian, OSHA, Fair Labor, American Civil Liberties, Colorado State University, MacArthur Justice Center, University of Mississippi, PepsiCo, Brevard County Sheriff, Arizona . Companies, Costco, Correctional, Prisons, Nut, Maine Foods, Taylor Farms, Transitional, Associated Press, Public Welfare Foundation, Columbia, Lipman Center for Journalism, Arnold Ventures Locations: ANGOLA, La, Southern, Louisiana, Texas, In Louisiana, Angola, United States, “, Ashland, U.S, China, Tennessee , Arkansas, Ohio, Dairy Farmers of America, Texas , Virginia, Kentucky, Montana, Baton Rouge, Mississippi, Manhattan, America, Alabama, American, Arkansas , Texas, Florida , Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, In Alabama, Florida, Brevard County, Arizona, Wisconsin, California, Colorado, state’s St, Tammany, Idaho, In Kansas, Cal, St, Francisville , Louisiana, Feliciana, Investigative@ap.org

☆ I'm a California restaurant operator preparing for the $20-an-hour fast-food wage by trimming hours, eliminating employee vacation, and raising menu prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The main reason: California fast-food workers are getting a big bump in pay to $20 an hour under a new state law that goes into effect in April. That new wage is nearly 30% more than most employers pay fast-food workers. 1 thing every California fast-food food owner was talking about. Raising wages for managers and shift leaders so they won't fleeThe minimum wage in California is $16 an hour. "This program should have been phased in over time instead of jumping the California minimum wage for our staff by 25% in one single day," he said.

Persons: —, Marcus Walberg, Walberg, He's, Seth Lederman, Frannexus, Lederman, he'd, he's, We'll Organizations: Service, Business, Florida Locations: Los Angeles, California, Chili's, McDonald's

☆ How B.J. Novak turned a tribute to chain restaurants into the hottest ticket in Hollywood with a 25,000-person waitlist
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-05 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Chain pays tribute to these restaurants with new interpretations of their most iconic dishes, which are created by Michelin-starred chef Tim Hollingsworth. "We all came up on different chain restaurants and, from a very authentic place, we all got excited about them." Advertisement"Ironically, since we started Chain, these chain restaurants have had sort of this resurgence," Hollingsworth said. How did a comedian, film producer, and Michelin-starred chef help predict the resurgence of chain restaurants? "It's become so hard to capture the attention and interest of a massive amount of people, but chain restaurants have been around for 50 or 60 years.

Persons: —, Jack, B.J, Novak, Friendly's, Nicholas Kraft, Chain, Tim Hollingsworth, Kraft, hadn't, Bell, Mindy Kaling, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, margarita, Rachel Bilson, Dunkin, Chrissy, Red Robin, Let's, Phil Rosenthal, Chef Hollingsworth, Thomas Keller's, Hollingsworth, Ruth De Jong, Oppenheimer, John Mayer, Andy Cohen, lockdowns, Tim Hollingsworth's, Bell's, Taco Bell, De Jong, We're, Finneas, It's Organizations: Service, Michelin, Business, New Americana, ChainFest, Steakhouse, Crunchwrap, Panda Express, Texas Locations: Boston, Los Angeles, Olive, ChainFest, Seattle, LA, Napa, Texas, West Hollywood

☆ McDonald's raises China bet, bucking Western firms' derisking trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Casey Hall | Thomson Reuters | Casey Has Reported On China'S Consumer Culture Her Base In Shanghai For More Than A Decade | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] A woman sits on a swing attached to a giant sign of McDonald's, outside its themed exhibition in Beijing, China December 4, 2023. One advantage for McDonald’s: its majority partner in the China business, CITIC, provides top-level political cover, said Jason Yu, greater China managing director of market research firm Kantar Worldpanel. McDonald's China, Carlyle Group and CITIC declined to comment. Other consumer-facing U.S. firms, including Starbucks (SBUX.O), Apple (AAPL.O), Coach owner Tapestry (TPR.N) and sportswear giant Nike (NKE.N), have remained similarly dedicated to the China market. Although the McDonald's China menu would be familiar to U.S. consumers, there are nods to local tastes, including taro pie, rather than apple.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, McDonald's, Jason Yu, Kantar, Yu, Carlyle, Wallace, Greg, Euromonitor, Ben Cavender, Casey, Kane Wu, Deborah Sophia, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Group, Carlyle Group, Starbucks, Apple, Nike, Research, Investment, China Market Research, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, U.S, Hong Kong, Macau, Yum China, Russia, Shanghai, Bengaluru

☆ Fast food isn't cheap anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

McDonald's menu prices are up about 10% this year. AdvertisementInflation may be slowing, but when it comes to skyrocketing fast-food prices, the damage is done — and there's no turning back. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that fast-food prices in October jumped 6.2% over the past 12 months. Nancy Luna/Business InsiderMore price hikes are on the horizonChipotle recently raised menu prices by 3% in October. Some are fuming over skyrocketing fast-food prices and expressing their concern on social-media platforms such as TikTok and Reddit .

Persons: That's, Chipotle, —, Tim Powell, Mark Kalinowski, Nancy Luna, McDonald's, Kalinowski, Chris Kempczinski, @xconmedia, Ian Borden, Borden Organizations: Service, Starbucks, Labor Statistics Locations: QSRs, California, Orange , California, Connecticut

☆ China Is Becoming a Problem for Investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Charley Grant | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Yum China, which operates Pizza Hut restaurants in the country, recently reported that consumer demand softened in September and October. Photo: Cfoto/Zuma PressChina has long been a source of stock-market optimism. Now it is turning into a reason for worry. Investors started the year by pouring money into China-focused funds, a bet that the end of Covid-19 restrictions would unleash supercharged spending in the world’s second-largest economy. Instead, a stubborn lack of growth and escalating political tensions with the U.S. are fostering poor returns and uncertainty about the future.

Organizations: Zuma Press China, U.S Locations: China, Covid

☆ Snake pizza on the menu in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —American company Pizza Hut has teamed up with a century-old Hong Kong restaurant to put a modern spin on a traditional dish, or more simply, snake on a pizza. Some diners in Hong Kong and around southern China have long enjoyed snake stew, especially during the colder months. Hong Kong resident Mabel Sieh, a self-described foodie who loves to try different pizzas, said, “I think it’s scary. And Hong Kong’s Pizza Hut locations have other plans for new menu items. Meanwhile, Pizza Hut in Japan created a pizza topped with Tonkotsu ramen (pork bone soup ramen).

Persons: they’ve, Ser Wong, –, Mabel Sieh, foodie, “, Rachel Wong, Karen Chan, ”, Dominos, boba Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Hong, CNN, Pizza Locations: Hong Kong, China, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Thailand, Central Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan

☆ Taco Bell parent Yum Brands tops same-store sales estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Taco Bell order and drinks sit inside the first digital-only U.S. location at Times Square in New York City, U.S., April 14, 2021. Yum Brands has banked on aggressive promotions and limited-time offers across its brands to attract customers. Global same-store sales at Taco Bell restaurants rose 8% in the quarter, above estimates of an increase of 6.49%, while KFC posted an increase of 6%, compared with estimates of 5.39%. Total same-store sales at Yum Brands rose 6% in quarter, beating analysts' estimates of a 4.73% increase. On an adjusted basis, Yum Brands earned $1.44 per share, beating estimates of $1.28.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Taco, Taco Bell, Deborah Sophia, Shounak Dasgupta Organizations: Bell, REUTERS, Yum Brands, Taco Bell, KFC, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Taco, United States, Bengaluru

☆ Taco Bell is gaining ground as people look to save on food
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Taco Bell hasn't been hurt by customers trading down. Bing Guan/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesAt Taco Bell, customers can buy a combo meal, including a fountain drink, burrito, taco and cinnamon twists for dessert, for about $5. Taco Bell’s website shows a cheesy bean and rice burrito; spicy potato soft taco; and cheesy roll-up available for $1 each. And in the third quarter, customers didn’t only go for the cheapest items, helping keep the Taco Bell’s margins high. Taco Bell is also benefiting from people searching for less expensive food options, Gibbs said.

Persons: it’s, Taco Bell, ”, David Gibbs, Bing Guan, Gibbs, Michael Skipworth, Ian Borden, “ We’ve, Chris Kempczinski, ” Kempczinski, Denny’s, Robert Verostek Organizations: New, New York CNN, Taco Bell, Yum Brands, KFC, Taco Bell’s, Bloomberg, Getty, Bell, Bell’s, Taco Locations: New York, Bell’s, McDonald’s

☆ Slow Pizza Hut sales in the U.S. weigh on Yum Brands' revenue
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

(photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)Yum Brands on Wednesday reported third-quarter revenue that fell short of analysts' expectations, hurt by weak same-store sales growth at Pizza Hut. Yum China CFO Andy Yeung said that sales had softened in late September through October, hurting its fourth-quarter results. But in the U.S., its second-largest market, KFC saw flat same-store sales growth. The pizza chain reported 2% same-store sales growth for international restaurants and flat same-store sales in the U.S.Pizza Hut isn't the only pizza chain that has struggled to win over U.S. consumers. Rival Domino's Pizza reported a 0.6% drop in same-store sales during its third quarter.

Persons: Mike Kemp, Andy Yeung, Yum, David Gibbs, Gibbs, Chick, Taco Bell Organizations: Getty, Brands, Refinitiv, Indian, Taco, KFC, U.S Locations: Birmingham, United Kingdom, China, Taco Bell's U.S, U.S

☆ Cramer's week ahead: Federal Reserve meeting, Apple and Eli Lilly earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer on Friday told investors what he'll be focusing on in the coming week, namely Wednesday's Federal Reserve meeting and earnings reports from companies such as Eli Lilly and Apple . Cramer noted that recent days have been "brutal" for the stock market and bemoaned the bond market's effect on stocks. On Monday, Cramer will be waiting to see the results of McDonald's earnings report. Cramer called Thursday the most important business day of the week, with earnings from drug maker Eli Lilly and tech giant Apple. EOG Resources , which Cramer said is among the best oil and gas companies alongside Coterra , reports earnings after the bell Thursday followed by a Friday conference call.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Eli Lilly, Apple, Cramer, he'll, Eaton, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro Organizations: Reserve, Caterpillar, Micro Devices, CVS, Yum Brands, KFC, Taco Bell, Apple, EOG, Treasury

☆ These 53 college towns 'eat the most Chipotle' — and the chain will reward them by staying open until midnight on Halloween
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Chipotle said it plans to keep 53 college-town stores open until midnight on Halloween. The chain said it is targeting college towns popular with Gen Z, a group that likes to eat late. But instead of going national with its late-night business, Chipotle is targeting "college towns that eat the most Chipotle," the chain announced Wednesday. The fresh-Mex chain, which has more than 3,250 restaurants, said 53 college towns will stay open until midnight on Halloween – a busy night for the brand. "Over the past two years, Chipotle has seen a 30 percent increase in transactions after 8 p.m. on Halloween and 81 percent of 18- to 26-year-olds surveyed reported wanting to see Chipotle open until midnight," the chain said.

Persons: Chipotle, Gen Z, —, Gen, Wendy's, Ann Arbor Organizations: Service, Nation's Restaurant, Way, University Avenue South, Fowler, Boulevard Georgia, Ponce De, State Street, College, Salisbury, State Street East, Street New, Broadway, Tryon, Franklin, Court Street Oxford, Clifton, Clemson, Street, State, Montgomery, Ogden Locations: North Carolina , Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Arizona, Tempe, Flagstaff, Way California, La Jolla, Berkeley, Angeles, Colorado, Boulder, Gainesville, University Avenue South Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Ponce, Ponce De Leon Ave, Athens, Illinois, Champaign, Indiana, West Lafayette, State Street Bloomington, Kirkwood Avenue Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Maryland, Salisbury, Salisbury Boulevard Michigan, State Street East Lansing, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Mississippi Oxford, Missouri, Columbia, Street New York, Vestal, York, Broadway North Carolina, Raleigh, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington, Ohio, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Oklahoma, Carolina, Tennessee, Nashville, Knoxville, Avenue Texas, Waco, Lubbock, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Utah, Salt Lake City, Wisconsin, Madison, Street Milwaukee, Ogden Avenue Washington

☆ From Dunkin' to Pizza Hut: 11 company rebrands that sparked customer outrage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Many companies have unveiled new names and logos to make themselves stand out. But sometimes rebrands backfire — only to receive an underwhelming reception from shoppers. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Many companies have unveiled rebrands to make themselves stand out in that environment — only to see their new name or logo get an underwhelming or even hostile reception from shoppers. Here are our picks for the 11 worst rebrands in retail.

Persons: — Organizations: Service

☆ Supermarket franchisee Spinneys Dubai plans IPO in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Hadeel Al Sayegh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A woman looks at products as she buys food supplies at a supermarket, as Muslims prepare for the fasting month of Ramadan in Dubai July 8, 2013. Albwardy Investment, the franchise's 100% owner, hired Rothschild & Co to advise on the planned IPO, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the plans are not public. The potential IPO of Spinneys Dubai, planned on the Dubai Financial Market, would add to the small but growing regional food retail sector. Spinneys Dubai operates more than 65 stores across the UAE, its website says. Albwardy, which says it has annual turnover above $1 billion, also owns the franchise rights to upmarket British supermarket chain Waitrose.

Persons: El, Rothschild, Moelis, Yousef Saba, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Spinneys, United Arab, Albwardy Investment, Co, Dubai Financial, Americana, North, KFC, Lulu, Reuters, UAE, Spinneys Dubai, Waitrose, Nestle UAE, Thomson Locations: Dubai, Spinneys Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Albwardy, East, North Africa, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Middle East, Africa

☆ China's macro backdrop has investors worried. Here are some stocks that could be safe from any weakness
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A lackluster economic backdrop in China shouldn't keep Wall Street from buying opportunities in the world's second-largest economy, some investors say. Consumer growth bets Kirby named Yum China as one quality stock idea. He also expects Yum China could still benefit from a rebound in consumer spending in China. It's a spending category the fund manager doesn't expect will suffer from any weakness in the macro backdrop. Yum China is higher this year by more than 4%.

Persons: Ben Kirby, Kirby, Duke, It's, James Donald, Thornburg's Kirby Organizations: Thornburg Investment Management, KFC, Technology, doesn't, Lazard Investment, Lenovo Locations: China, Beijing, Botox, U.S

☆ Yum China says tech investments let it open more stores without needing more staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Pedestrians walk past a Pizza Hut restaurant and a KFC restaurant, both operated by Yum China, in Beijing, China, on Sept. 5, 2020. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Yum China is spending more on tech, an investment that's allowed it to open more stores without having to hire more staff, CEO Joey Wat told CNBC in an interview Friday. Yum China operates KFC and Pizza Hut stores in China, among other brands. With technology, she said staff can be promoted to manage multiple stores and support the opening of new locations. This year alone, the company plans to spend about $700 million to $900 million.

Persons: Joey Wat, Wat Organizations: KFC, Yum, Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC, Yum China, U.S, Companies, Walmart Locations: Yum China, Beijing, China, BEIJING, Yum, Alibaba

☆ I stayed in an $83-per-night viral Airbnb overlooking the Great Pyramid of Giza. The tub that hooked me on Instagram was odd, but the view made it worth it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Libryia Jones, 44, booked an $83-per-night stay at a viral Giza Airbnb she first saw on Instagram. I saw this Airbnb with views of the Great Pyramid of Giza. They made it look really, really good. 😍😍@Travel Noire @Blacktravelfeed @airbnb @Airbnb Finds ♬ Pharaoh - FaroocAnd they were. Whenever I fly, if I'm going to land after 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., I'm just going to book a hotel that's easy to find.

Persons: Libryia Jones, Jones, I've, ove, sid, ou l, sid e , but, eva, or was s, Jon e, so I, ari Organizations: Service, Uber, usu Locations: Wall, Silicon, Giza, Egypt, Hollywood, Cairo

☆ Look beyond the 'Magnificent Seven' tech stocks, analyst says — and names 5 top picks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

When it comes to picking stocks, Hannah Gooch-Peters of asset management firm Sanlam Investments UK avoids chasing trends. She said she believes investors need to look beyond the "Magnificent Seven," referring to Apple , Amazon , Alphabet , Meta , Microsoft , Nvidia and Tesla — tech stocks that have made massive gains this year. Sanlam's $5 billion-plus Global High Quality Fund invests in global stocks with a "high quality bias." The companies her firm picks have rather low capital expenditure as a percentage of their sales, she said. It also has a "mortgage-signing technology service which is "really, really exciting," she said.

Persons: Hannah Gooch, Peters, Gooch, We're, it's, you've, That's Organizations: Sanlam Investments, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, CNBC, Quality Fund, Peters . Services, Yum Brands, KFC, Taco Bell, Intuit, SAP, Intercontinental Exchange, Samsung Electronics

☆ UBS says this is how to play China right now — and shares its top stock picks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Analysts at UBS have detailed how to play a volatile Chinese market in the short term. Chinese internet giant Alibaba is on UBS' list, with the bank expecting it to grow faster than the overall Chinese stock market. "Potential stock price catalysts include growth from the cloud business, overseas expansion and greater operational discipline," the analysts wrote. Insurers with full pension licenses, such as Ping An, will likely enjoy a first mover advantage," the analysts wrote. Consumer stocks In consumer stocks, UBS likes Topsports International , which is Adidas ' largest retail partner globally, the bank said.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: UBS, Baidu, Ping An Insurance, Consumer, Topsports, Adidas, Shenzhou, Nike, KFC, China Longyuan Power, China Resources Power Locations: Asia, China

☆ Bubble tea will test limits of China’s consumers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Thomas Shum | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Aug 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Bubble tea may be the new bellwether for the Chinese consumer. At least half a dozen boba-drink makers, including China’s largest chain by store count, Mixue Bingcheng, are planning initial public offerings in Hong Kong or the United States, Bloomberg reports. Shares in Hong Kong-listed Nayuki (2150.HK), the country’s only publicly traded bubble tea chain, have dropped 70% since their debut in 2021. Follow @t__shum on TwitterCONTEXT NEWSAt least six bubble tea companies are looking to go public in either Hong Kong or the United States, Bloomberg reported on July 24 citing people familiar with the matter. In 2022, China’s biggest bubble tea chain by store count, Mixue Bingcheng, filed for a $918 million initial public offering in Shenzhen.

Persons: Mixue, Gen, Mixue Bingcheng, Robyn Mak, Katrina Hamlin, Pranav Kiran Organizations: Reuters, Bloomberg, HK, KFC, Haidilao, Refinitiv, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, China, Shenzhen

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