earnings

Financing

Noodles & Company faces possible delisting (again)

The fast-casual chain's stock price has fallen too low and is out of compliance with Nasdaq rules. It's the second time in six months the chain has been warned.

Financing

Olive Garden sales surge on delivery and free take-home meals

Same-store sales rose 6.9% at the Italian casual-dining chain as its investments in affordability and Uber delivery paid off.

The food-and-games chain, which struggled with steep sales declines for more than two years, saw sales improve in recent months thanks to better value, marketing and operations.

The family-dining chain said improved productivity will help it weather the impact of tariffs on its retail shops. It was the latest sign that the chain's turnaround plan is working.

The casual-dining burger chain more than doubled its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, in the first quarter. Its stock price doubled as well.

Bucking first-quarter trends, the fast-casual chain reported same-store sales up 10.8%, including a 7.5% increase in traffic.

The fast-casual chain is one of the last to report first-quarter results on Thursday. This traffic-tracking research firm says visits were up 20%.

The fast-food chicken chain believes better-run restaurants are key to improving sales. So the chain has acquired more locations to show franchisees the way it’s done.

The Bottom Line: The food-and-golf concept’s sales have struggled over the past 18 months. Its parent company is now trying more value offers. But that move comes with big risks.

With same-store sales weak so far this year amid a difficult economy, operators are boosting marketing, adding new menu items and turning back to what worked. They’re also discounting more.

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