Barclays just hosted its 2017 Eat, Sleep, Play Conference, focusing in on a number of restaurant players. Jeffrey Bernstein, Senior Restaurant Analyst at Barclays was with us to discuss the biggest takeaways from the event.
Despite believing that Shake Shack is head of the class in the better-burger category, Bernstein is maintaining his "Equal Weight" rating for the stock. The analyst points to the fact its shares trade at much higher valuations than its peers. However, he says this is mostly justified because of the rate Shake Shack is opening up stores and growing revenue.
Bernstein also touches on Domino's Pizza and how the chain stacks up against Papa John's and Pizza Hut. Recently, Papa John's said sales were impacted by the kneeling in the NFL. Bernstein says Domino’s was not willing to make a comment like that. He adds Domino's is still bullish on advertising in big sports events because it is still generating a return for them. They are, however, starting to do a lot more online marketing, says Bernstein.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
Hear from Gabino & Stephen Roche on Saphyre’s institutional AI platform that centralizes pre‑ and post‑trade data, redefining settlement speed and accuracy.
Elon Musk’s X has reached a tentative settlement with former employees of the company then known as Twitter who’d sued for $500 million in severance pay.
