Latest news with #CampfireMeals
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CBRL Q1 Earnings Call: Profit Beats Offset Flat Sales, Transformation Plan Progresses
Restaurant company Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ:CBRL) met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales flat year on year at $821.1 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.58 per share was significantly above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy CBRL? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $821.1 million (flat year on year) Adjusted EPS: $0.58 vs analyst estimates of $0.21 (significant beat) EBITDA guidance for the full year is $220 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $212.6 million Adjusted EBITDA Margin: 5.9% Locations: 728 at quarter end, up from 721 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales rose 1% year on year (-1.5% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $1.29 billion Cracker Barrel's first quarter results reflected continued efforts to transform its core business and drive operational improvements, as discussed by CEO Julie Masino. Management highlighted that, despite a slow start to the quarter due to weather and consumer uncertainty, the company was able to generate positive comparable restaurant sales and improve productivity through back-of-house optimization. The introduction of new menu items, such as expanded pancake flavors and spring shrimp promotions, played a role in maintaining guest engagement. CFO Craig Pommells emphasized that labor productivity gains and disciplined expense management, particularly in general and administrative costs, helped offset commodity cost pressures—especially from higher beef, egg, and pork prices. Masino described the quarter as a 'test and learn' period, reiterating that some benefits from operational changes are only just beginning to materialize. Looking forward, management's guidance is underpinned by further rollout of transformation initiatives, continued investment in marketing, and adjustments to mitigate upcoming tariff impacts on retail goods sourced from China. CEO Julie Masino pointed to the upcoming launch of brand refinements and the return of Campfire Meals as critical initiatives for driving guest engagement and sales in the near term. The company is leaning into data-driven personalization and AI-driven tools to enhance loyalty program effectiveness and operational efficiency. CFO Craig Pommells stated that ongoing productivity improvements and cost savings from back-of-house initiatives are expected to support margins, while acknowledging that the company is still assessing the full-year impact of tariffs and evolving its retail strategy to offset these headwinds. Management plans to provide further detail on mitigation efforts and fiscal 2026 guidance in the next update. Management attributed the quarter's performance to operational improvements, new culinary offerings, and early results from the transformation plan, while noting ongoing challenges from commodity costs and tariffs. Operational changes underway: The company completed phase one of its back-of-house optimization initiative, focusing on process simplification to improve food quality, employee satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Early feedback from team members was positive, and labor productivity gains contributed to lower labor costs as a percentage of revenue. Menu innovation supports engagement: Spring promotions introduced new shrimp dishes and expanded the pancake platform, aligning with the 'barbell' pricing strategy that aims to attract both value- and premium-seeking guests. Management credited these menu additions with maintaining guest interest and supporting sales mix. Loyalty program drives sales: Cracker Barrel Rewards surpassed its internal target with over 8 million members and now accounts for more than one-third of tracked sales. Advanced personalization, powered by AI, is being tested and has delivered a mid-single-digit lift in average revenue per member within pilot groups. Retail strategy under review: Tariffs on goods sourced from China prompted the company to accelerate retail strategy changes, including SKU rationalization, fewer seasonal themes, and refined promotional timing. Negotiations with vendors and alternate sourcing are ongoing to mitigate tariff-related cost pressures. Expense management delivers margin benefit: Tight control over general and administrative expenses in the quarter, along with shifts in discretionary spending, supported profitability despite commodity inflation and higher advertising costs. Management noted that some deferred expenses will shift into future quarters as investment in brand and operational transformation continues. Cracker Barrel's outlook is shaped by continued transformation initiatives, tariff mitigation, and a focus on operational efficiencies to support profitability amid a changing consumer and cost environment. Transformation plan progression: Management expects additional benefits from ongoing back-of-house optimization, including broader adoption of streamlined processes and equipment upgrades in future phases. These changes are intended to permanently improve labor productivity and food consistency, with more impact expected in the coming quarters. Tariff mitigation and retail adjustments: The company is accelerating SKU rationalization and adjusting promotional strategies in its retail business to offset the effects of tariffs on China-sourced goods. Management cautioned that the full impact of tariffs will depend on inventory turnover and ongoing negotiations with vendors, with more clarity expected next quarter. Marketing and brand refinement investments: Cracker Barrel is increasing marketing spend to support the return of Campfire Meals and the launch of its brand refinement initiative. These efforts, along with expanded loyalty program personalization, are designed to drive guest traffic and frequency, though management acknowledged that changing consumer behavior and macroeconomic uncertainty remain risks. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will focus on (1) the effectiveness of brand refinement initiatives and the return of Campfire Meals in driving guest traffic and frequency, (2) the company's ability to offset tariff-related retail cost pressures through SKU rationalization and vendor negotiations, and (3) the sustained impact of back-of-house optimization on labor costs and operational consistency. Progress in these areas will be key indicators of transformation plan execution. Cracker Barrel currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 20.4×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
May in Review: Top 13 Consumer Press Releases
A roundup of the most newsworthy consumer and retail announcements from PR Newswire, including the return of Cracker Barrel's Campfire Meals and a brand-new OREO cookie collab with Selena Gomez. NEW YORK, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each month, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help consumer and retail journalists and consumers stay on top of the month's most popular releases and newsworthy trends, here's a recap of some of the past month's most read- and engaged-with stories. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. For more news like this, check out all of the latest retail-related releases from PR Newswire. Trending Topics Among the consumer news that was distributed in May, the PR Newswire team was able spot wider topics that highlight the trends shaping the industry as we head into the summer months. Do you have a retail press release to distribute? Sign up with PR Newswire to share your story with the audiences who matter most. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers, and freelancers have access to the following free features: About PR Newswire PR Newswire is the industry's leading press release distribution partner with an unparalleled global reach of more than 440,000 newsrooms, websites, direct feeds, journalists and influencers and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. From our award-winning Content Services offerings, integrated media newsroom and microsite products, Investor Relations suite of services, paid placement and social sharing tools, PR Newswire has a comprehensive catalog of solutions to solve the modern-day challenges PR and communications teams face. For 70 years, PR Newswire has been the preferred destination for brands to share their most important news stories across the world. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PR Newswire
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
May in Review: Top 13 Consumer Press Releases
A roundup of the most newsworthy consumer and retail announcements from PR Newswire, including the return of Cracker Barrel's Campfire Meals and a brand-new OREO cookie collab with Selena Gomez. NEW YORK, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each month, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help consumer and retail journalists and consumers stay on top of the month's most popular releases and newsworthy trends, here's a recap of some of the past month's most read- and engaged-with stories. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. Mob Entertainment Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal with Toy Giant McFarlane, Bringing Poppy Playtime Toys and Collectibles to Fans Worldwide The collaboration will see McFarlane Toys bring Poppy Playtime's eerie yet beloved characters to life with an extensive range of products, including plushies, action figures, dioramas, prop replicas, and more. Govee Launches New Strip Light with Skyline Kit, Turning Ceilings into Skylines of Light The Skyline Kit also syncs with music, adapts to seasonal moods with over 120 preset scenes, and connects seamlessly to other Govee smart lights via DreamView™. Whether it's game night, movie time, or a quiet evening with a book, the lighting responds in real time to the environment and activities. G-SHOCK and Crocs Launch First-Ever Collaboration: Where Legendary Toughness Meets Street-Ready Design The release is the debut of Crocs Echo Wave silhouette in a glow-in-the-dark finish, marking the first partnership to feature this fan-favorite design. This exclusive design is enhanced by a custom marbled ankle strap inspired by G-SHOCK's iconic durability and precise craftsmanship. Cracker Barrel Commences Summertime with the Return of its Iconic Campfire Meals Cracker Barrel's Campfire Meals deliver the same distinctive, smoky taste as a meal (or sweet treat) prepared over a campfire, but without the hassle. Each Campfire Meal is braised with a signature blend of Campfire Seasoning, wrapped in tin foil and slow cooked to induce a bounty of aroma and flavor for guests to unlock right at the table. Each meal is served alongside Buttermilk Biscuits and Cornbread Muffins. The Ultimate Combo: White Castle and Heelys Team Up to Introduce Fun, New Footwear Available May 15 "Just like our Sliders, these shoes are one-of-a-kind, craveable and made for memorable moments," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "We're always seeking fresh and fun ways to satisfy cravings beyond the menu. Partnering with Heelys to design these exclusive shoes does just that." Kung Fu Tea and Universal Pictures' How to Train Your Dragon Soar Together with Dragonfruit-Fueled Partnership The partnership will feature custom packaging, with each drink boldly featuring some of the most iconic dragons from How to Train Your Dragon. Adding to the adventure, every purchase of a limited-edition How to Train Your Dragon drink will include a collectible trading cards. Fans can collect all 11 cards, with varying levels of rarity (while supplies last). 1800 Tequila Unveils the First Tequila Diamond, Alchemizing Its Ultra-Premium Tequila into an Ultra-Precious Jewel 1800® Tequila debuted the first-ever tequila diamond on the most-watched red carpet event of the season. The 1800 Tequila diamond made its official debut as Grammy-nominated musician, actor, and producer, Janelle Monáe, sparkled wearing it in a bespoke brooch designed by renowned jewelry designer, Jonathan Raksha of Maison Raksha. Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Debuts First-Ever Disney Collaboration Featuring the New 'Ohana Breeze Smoothie Inspired by "Lilo & Stitch"ʻOhana, the Hawaiian word for family, reflects the heartwarming spirit of Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and is the inspiration for the new 'Ohana Breeze Smoothie, available at participating Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations nationwide. Just like the movie's message—"family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten"—the smoothie is offered in two sizes: 12 oz. for kids and 24 oz. for adults. The OREO Brand and Global Artist Selena Gomez Dream Up an Iconic New OREO Cookie by Selena, for SelenatorsSelena worked closely with the OREO brand to develop a one-of-a-kind sweet-and-spiced flavor combo. Inspired by her love of horchata, the cookies include a layer of chocolate & cinnamon flavor creme atop a layer of sweetened condensed milk flavor creme with cinnamon sugar inclusions, all sandwiched between two chocolate cinnamon flavored wafers. Urban Outfitters Launches Immersive Retail Experience with Nike On May 14th, Urban Outfitters introduced On Rotation, a new retail experience created to fuel discovery, inspiration, and authentic connection through a curated mix of today's most exciting brands. This new concept builds on Urban's strategy to meet the evolving needs of Gen Z and deliver community-driven, memorable retail experiences. PepsiCo® Announces Worldwide Official Partnership with Formula 1® As an Official Partner of Formula 1, PepsiCo has secured comprehensive rights, including: TV-visible trackside advertising; Fan Zone activation opportunities at 21 races; tickets and hospitality experiences; exclusive marketing rights for featured brands; and exclusive track pouring and product supply rights, across global race venues. HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate with Caramel Bar Brings the Ooey, Gooey Drip to Summer For HERSHEY'S, this bar represents more than just a flavor innovation—it's another way the brand brings people together. By combining two timeless ingredients in one unforgettable bite, HERSHEY'S is helping fans create new memories while staying connected to the classics they love. Dutch Bros® Launches Matcha and New Drinks for a Flavor Fusion "After hearing so many requests from our customers, we knew it was time to bring matcha to our menu and we couldn't be more stoked to offer it," said Tana Davila, chief marketing officer at Dutch Bros. "All of our new drinks deliver a unique flavor experience, giving customers the chance to make the world their own at Dutch Bros!" For more news like this, check out all of the latest retail-related releases from PR Newswire. Trending Topics Among the consumer news that was distributed in May, the PR Newswire team was able spot wider topics that highlight the trends shaping the industry as we head into the summer months. Pride Month 2025: In support of the LGBTQIA+ community, several brands and organizations rallied up for Pride Month with campaigns, partnerships and advocacy. A campaign from NYX Professional Makeup will spotlight the voices of three emerging queer musicians through a series of short videos highlighting the intersection of makeup, music and identity. Elsewhere in the cosmetics industry, Sally Beauty is proud to continue its partnership with Free Mom Hugs, a 501(c)3 organization that empowers the world to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through visibility, education and conversation. Pair Eyewear also unveiled its fifth annual 'Love Wins' collection, donating 20% of profits to GLSEN, supporting its mission to create safe, inclusive K–12 schools for LGBTQ+ youth. Summertime Fun: With the weather warming up and the sun staying out later, May saw many new products and services for consumers to make the most of their summer holidays. In education, IXL Learning released its Ultimate Summer Workbooks, designed to keep kids from grade 1-4 reading through the summer to stay sharp for the upcoming school year. After hitting the books, families can hit up arcade chain Dave & Buster's with newly unveiled season passes. In travel news, TripAdvisor's 2025 Summer Travel Index ranked Cancun and Las Vegas among the top travel destinations for Americans, while Generali Global Insurance's 2025 Holiday Barometer study found that some Americans are seeking shorter, closer holiday trips this summer. Do you have a retail press release to distribute? Sign up with PR Newswire to share your story with the audiences who matter most. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers, and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Users can create customized newsfeeds that will deliver relevant news right to their inbox. Newsfeed results can be targeted by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include in a journalist or blogger's next story. Subject Matter Experts: Journalists will have access to ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in their articles. Related Resources: Our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, features regular media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire PR Newswire is the industry's leading press release distribution partner with an unparalleled global reach of more than 440,000 newsrooms, websites, direct feeds, journalists and influencers and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. From our award-winning Content Services offerings, integrated media newsroom and microsite products, Investor Relations suite of services, paid placement and social sharing tools, PR Newswire has a comprehensive catalog of solutions to solve the modern-day challenges PR and communications teams face. For 70 years, PR Newswire has been the preferred destination for brands to share their most important news stories across the world. For questions, contact the team at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PR Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cracker Barrel's Latest Update Has Fans Saying "It's About Time!"
Cracker Barrel has been causing a stir lately with a new, updated look at select locations across the U.S., but their latest announcement is actually a throwback. The fan-favorite restaurant is reviving a menu item that was retired seven years ago, and diners seem thrilled with the news. Cracker Barrel just revealed that their Campfire Meals are back. All locations will see the return of these favorites on May 6, just in time for summer. The meals come braised with a signature blend of Campfire Seasoning, wrapped in tin foil and slow cooked. Choose from Campfire Shrimp Skillet (grilled shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes), Campfire Chicken (marinated half-chicken with corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes, and onions), or Campfire Beef (like the chicken meal but with tender beef). You'll want to save room for dessert too. The new S'mores Brownie Skillet is a nod to the summertime favorite. It features a brownie topped with a roasted marshmallow and a chocolate bar, served warm crumbled graham crackers and paired with vanilla ice cream. The summer menu update also includes a new cinnamon roll skillet with fresh-baked mini cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese icing. Cracker Barrel teased the news on Instagram, and fans left messages like, "AHHH im excited!!!🫶🏼🫶🏼" and "Campfire meals >>> everything else." Another wrote, "CAMPFIRE MEALS!!!! It's about time!!!!" Of course, some commenters took the opportunity to make further demands. Requests included fixins, more vegetarian options, apple cobbler, sourdough rolls, squash casserole, and more. Let us know: What menu item do you want Cracker Barrel to bring back next? You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Cracker Barrel brings back Campfire Meals after 7 years: See what's on the menu
Cracker Barrel brings back Campfire Meals after 7 years: See what's on the menu Show Caption Hide Caption Meal prep tips: prep ingredients instead Meal prep is overrated. Prep ingredients instead with these 6 time-saving hacks. Cracker Barrel is bringing back a menu item the restaurant chain's most loyal customers have been requesting for years. The company announced earlier this week the return of its Campfire Meals, allowing "devotees and new guests eager to lean into summertime flavors" to go to their local Cracker Barrel and enjoy "one of the brand's most-requested items." The meals, which include an all-new Campfire Shrimp Skillet and a new S'mores Brownie Skillet, are available now for a limited time. Each meal is braised with a signature blend of Campfire Seasoning, according to Cracker Barrel, wrapped in tin foil and slow cooked to deliver the same smoky taste as a meal prepared over a campfire. Campfire Meals returning: What's on the menu? The full lineup includes: Campfire Shrimp Skillet: Features grilled shrimp and andouille sausage cooked in a buttery broth with campfire-seasoned corn and potatoes, served sizzling in a cast iron skillet. Features grilled shrimp and andouille sausage cooked in a buttery broth with campfire-seasoned corn and potatoes, served sizzling in a cast iron skillet. Campfire Chicken: A savory, marinated half-chicken seasoned with campfire spices, slow-cooked with sweet corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes, and onions in a buttery broth. Served with Buttermilk Biscuits or Cornbread Muffins. A savory, marinated half-chicken seasoned with campfire spices, slow-cooked with sweet corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes, and onions in a buttery broth. Served with Buttermilk Biscuits or Cornbread Muffins. Campfire Beef: Tender beef low-braised with the same classic campfire vegetables and spices, sealed in foil for hearty, savory goodness, and served with Buttermilk Biscuits or Cornbread Muffins. Tender beef low-braised with the same classic campfire vegetables and spices, sealed in foil for hearty, savory goodness, and served with Buttermilk Biscuits or Cornbread Muffins. S'mores Brownie Skillet: Features a rich chocolate brownie topped with a roasted marshmallow and a melting Hershey's chocolate bar, all served warm over crumbled graham crackers and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. Features a rich chocolate brownie topped with a roasted marshmallow and a melting Hershey's chocolate bar, all served warm over crumbled graham crackers and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. Cinnamon Roll Skillet: Building off the success of Cracker Barrel's seasonal cinnamon roll pie, the skillet features delicious, fresh-baked, warm mini cinnamon rolls with a gooey cinnamon filling and topped off with sweet cream cheese icing. "Our guests have been asking for us to bring back our Campfire Meals for years — and we heard them loud and clear," said Sarah Moore, Chief Marketing Officer at Cracker Barrel, in a news release. "Starting at just $10.99, our Campfire Meals are so packed with flavor, they will immediately spark feelings of long summer days, endless possibilities and that unmistakable joy we feel when anything is possible." In addition to the Campfire Meals, a full line of campfire-inspired items are available in Cracker Barrel's Country Store, including s'mores-flavored candies and jars of the brand's signature Campfire Seasoning. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
