earnings

Financing

Bloomin' Brands to close 41 restaurants and open up to 45 more

The owner of Outback Steakhouse is pruning older, struggling stores in favor of new ones that generate better returns.

Financing

Rapidly expanding Dutch Bros is opening another support center in Arizona

The drive-thru coffee chain opened more shops in its history last year as sales accelerated. And it is also opening shops in Florida.

The chain delivered another quarter of steady growth and few surprises. "Operators were in full control," said CFO Matthew Clark.

The brand’s sales have been slow so far this year due to weather and low-income consumers. But executives believe a better value offering and a new burger will change things.

The chicken wing chain’s system sales soared 27% last year as customers flocked to its restaurants for sandwiches and wings. But its stock price declined.

Guests are ordering less alcohol and more from the value side of the menu, but traffic was up 5.1% in the fourth quarter at company units.

Traffic for the fast-casual chain was up 1.4% in Q4. And the burger brand is testing combo meals for the first time.

Kirk Tanner announced $100 million worth of investments in breakfast marketing and digital upgrades in a bid to kick-start the fast-food chain’s growth.

Sales were positive at Restaurant Brands International concepts, including Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs. At Burger King, operator profitability increased 46%.

The chain, which wants to sell its doughnuts out of more McDonald's locations, is now looking to open new shops to build capacity while it also works to improve manufacturing and logistics.

  • Page 3