By Narrative Science Optimism surrounds Dunkin’ Brands, as it gets ready to report its second quarter results on Thursday, July 25, 2013. Analysts are expecting the company to book a profit of 40 cents a share, up from 33 cents a year ago. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Markets
By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos, The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
With casual-dining rivals such as McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Brands pushing deeper into its coffee space, Starbucks is set to push back. The company will be rolling out an expanded food menu soon. Fool contributor Demitrios Kalogeropoulos discusses why this makes sense for Starbucks, and what kind of boost it could give to the company’s sales.
McDonald’s turned in a dismal year in 2012, underperforming the broader market by 25%. Looking ahead, can the Golden Arches reclaim its throne atop the restaurant industry, or will this unsettling trend continue? Our top analyst weighs in on McDonald’s future in a recent premium report on the company. Click here now to find out whether a buying opportunity has emerged for this global juggernaut.
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From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/13/why-starbucks-is-getting-into-the-food-business/
By Rich Duprey, The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
The Center for Science in the Public Interest issued a report last week detailing that when it comes to kids’ meals, fast-food chains such as McDonald’s , Wendy’s , and Burger King offer up a healthy dose of unhealthy food.
After testing the restaurants’ meals, the researchers found they aren’t healthy because they contain too high amounts of fat, salt, and sugary drinks and recommended that more wholesome fare become the norm.
Pictured: Big Mac. Source: McDonald’s.
The CSPI report singled out Buffalo Wild Wings as being one of the worst offenders, with one meal for kids having twice the recommended intake of sodium.
Also discovered: Water is wet
I can’t be the only one not surprised by the findings. While we might wish that McDonald’s served bean sprouts with its Happy Meals, two things need to be remembered: That’s not what kids want to eat, and that’s not what you’re looking to buy when you go to a fast-food restaurant. It’s also something for parents to do in their home, not for public-policy advocates to give meddlesome politicians like New York City‘s nanny mayor, Michael Bloomberg, another avenue to attack individual choice.
Besides, fast-food restaurants have tried the healthy kick before, and it’s typically been a failure. Does anyone remember Wendy’s Super Bar salad bars or the Tomato Surprise? How about McDonald’s McLean Deluxe (with seaweed extract!) or the McSpaghetti? Does the Dairy Queen Breeze frozen yogurt drink ring any bells?
More than likely, if you tried them, you’re trying to forget them, and I apologize for dredging up bad memories — but it’s delusional to think you go to a greasy-burger joint for healthy fare. If you want that for lunch, go to Whole Foods. They’re building greenhouses on their rooftops to pick fresh veggies.
I yam what I yam
At least some of the restaurants the CSPI surveyed didn’t disguise the fact that their food is a guilty pleasure, for adults and kids alike. Of the top 50 chains, 18%, including Domino’s Pizza, Dunkin Brands‘ Dunkin’ Donuts, and Papa John’s didn’t have a so-called “kids’ menu.”
I’m sure the researchers realized that a kid-oriented menu doesn’t automatically mean healthy food (I’d kinda expect the exact opposite, as a matter of fact). Rather, it simply means a smaller portion of an adult meal. Parents do have to monitor what their kids eat, but they can be allowed to splurge, too. And there are alternatives out there: Subway, sushi bars, and — again — organic food stores abound.
Do as I say, not as I do
Sounding a lot like Mayor Bloomberg, the CSPI recommends that restaurants remove sugary drinks from their kids’ menus, offer more fruit and vegetables — and make them the default menu option instead of fries — and serve more whole grains.
Yet when first lady Michelle Obama foisted healthier school lunches on students after her Let’s Move! organization got the president to sign a bill mandating them, follow-up surveys found that …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
By Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
Earnings season is winding down, with most companies already having reported their quarterly results. But there are still some companies left to report, and Krispy Kreme is about to release its quarterly earnings. The key to making smart investment decisions with stocks releasing their quarterly reports is to anticipate how they’ll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you’ll be less likely to make an uninformed knee-jerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.
Krispy Kreme is one of many fad stocks that seemingly faded into permanent obscurity after a big bull run in the mid-2000s. But lately, the doughnut seller has bounced back sharply. Let’s take an early look at what’s been happening with Krispy Kreme over the past quarter and what we’re likely to see in its quarterly report on Thursday.
Stats on Krispy Kreme
|
Analyst EPS Estimate |
$0.12 |
|
Change From Year-Ago EPS |
100% |
|
Revenue Estimate |
$115.9 million |
|
Change From Year-Ago Revenue |
145 |
|
Earnings Beats in Past 4 Quarters |
3 |
Source: Yahoo! Finance.
Will Krispy Kreme stay hot this quarter?
Analysts have gotten somewhat more optimistic about Krispy Kreme in recent months, pushing up their consensus earnings estimates on the company by a penny per share for the just-ended quarter and by $0.03 per share for fiscal 2014. But the stock has absolutely exploded higher, rising by more than 60% just since early December.
Once known solely for its donuts, Krispy Kreme has moved beyond its former concentration. By introducing healthier items such as yogurt, the company has tried to broaden its appeal and pull in customers looking for more than just a sugar high. That’s been an essential and smart strategy, with competition from rival Dunkin’ Brands becoming fierce as Dunkin’ has sought to expand its presence in the doughnut-and-coffee space.
One factor that has helped Krispy Kreme is the trend toward consolidation in the coffee and sweets industry. Starbucks recently bought Teavana and Tully’s, while private-equity firms have taken out their share of coffee purveyors as well. Krispy Kreme may not be known for coffee, but its Signature coffee line has helped build coffee loyalty with its customer base, and so the company may look good to a potential acquirer. Yet Krispy Kreme took steps in January to dissuade acquirers by adopting a poison pill, effectively preventing a buyer from taking advantage of its carried-forward net operating losses, which are one of its most valuable assets.
In its quarterly report, watch for Krispy Kreme to discuss its recent expansion move in Taiwan. If the company can boost its international growth, then the stock could enjoy another leg up and regain more of its past glory from its boom years.
The best investing approach is to choose great companies and stick with …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
Philadelphia Area College Basketball Fans Can Score This Month with the Second Annual Dunkin’ Philly Madness Sweepstakes
Dunkin’ Donuts regional sweepstakes asks area college fans to show their school pride and enter for a chance to win daily prizes; Dunkin’ Donuts will donate $1 to Coaches vs. Cancer Philadelphia for every sweepstakes entry March 4
th -April 8 th
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)– As college hoops action heats up, Dunkin’ Donuts in Greater Philadelphia is rewarding the region’s most passionate and loyal fans during the month of March through the Second Annual Dunkin’ Philly Madness Sweepstakes.
Now through April 8, fans can visit the “Dunkin’ Philly Madness Sweeps” tab on the Dunkin’ Donuts Greater Philadelphia Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/DunkinPhilly to vote for their favorite area college basketball team and enter for a chance to win daily prizes such as school prize packs, college season tickets, a 42-inch HDTV, video game systems and more. On the final day of the college basketball season one lucky winner will be selected to receive a $5,000 American Express Gift Card. Visit http://bit.ly/DDPHLMad for official rules, additional terms and conditions.
“The Philadelphia region has some of the most passionate and loyal fans in the country and there is no better time than during the month of March to recognize the college fan with the Dunkin’ Philly Madness Sweepstakes,” said Lou Conte, Field Marketing Manager, Dunkin’ Brands. “As official partner of eight programs in the region, basketball truly runs on Dunkin’ Donuts in Greater Philadelphia.”
Additionally through April 8 th , Dunkin’ Donuts in Greater Philadelphia will donate $1 to American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer ® of Philadelphia for each Dunkin’ Philly Madness Sweepstakes entry. Dunkin’ Donuts is the Presenting Sponsor of the 15 th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer® of Philadelphia Tourney Tip-Off Breakfast on Monday, March 18 th at the Palestra.
Dunkin’ Donuts is an official partner of the University of Delaware, Drexel University, La Salle University, Lehigh University, University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph’s University, Temple University and Villanova University.
