Latest news with #ChrisMonroe
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CFOs On the Move: Week ending June 13
This story was originally published on To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily newsletter. Roblox appointed as its new chief financial officer, effective June 30. Chopra joins the video gaming company from Paramount, where he has been CFO since Aug. 2020. Chopra has held several chief financial officer roles throughout his career, including at Amazon in its devices and services business, Pandora and Tivo. He is also a member of the board of directors at Macy's. Chopra succeeds Michael Guthrie, who, as previously announced, will be stepping down as CFO to pursue personal interests. Guthrie will remain with the company as a consultant to help with the transition. Andrew Warren, currently strategic advisor to the office of the CEO at media and entertainment conglomerate Paramount, will take on the additional role of interim CFO and executive vice president to replace outgoing finance chief Naveen Chopra. Warren has previously held CFO roles at Discovery Communications, STX Entertainment, NBCU Television Group and Liz Claiborne. Warren earlier spent 18 years at General Electric in several positions, including senior operations leader for the GE audit staff. Texas Roadhouse said its CFO of nearly two years, Chris Monroe, is no longer with the steakhouse chain. Monroe joined the chain in June 2023 from Southwest Airlines, where he worked for 30 years, most recently as senior vice president of finance and treasurer. The company named Keith Humpich, Texas Roadhouse's vice president of finance, as interim CFO until Monroe's successor is appointed. Humpich has been with the company for over 20 years and has previously served as its interim CFO in 2023. Accessories brand Vera Bradley is undergoing a leadership change, has suspended guidance and formed a transformation committee after posting a 24% net revenue decline in the first quarter. As part of the leadership reset, CEO Jackie Ardrey and CFO Michael Schwindle are leaving the company. Schwindle will be replaced by , and the search for a new CEO is underway. Layding previously served as divisional CFO for Tapestry's Coach brand and also held CFO positions at Supreme Brand, Function of Beauty, Rohrer and Noodle. will join Avis Budget Group as the car rental agency's new finance chief on July 1. Cunha most recently worked at commercial field services company Orion Services Group, where he has been CFO for the past year. Before that, he held CFO roles at Ocean Spray and Heinz North America. He started his career at McKinsey & Company as a consultant and later worked in private equity at GP Investments. Cunha replaces Izzy Martins, who will leave the company on June 30 for another opportunity. Martins has been with the company for over 20 years and has been CFO since Jan. 2024. was appointed chief financial officer of Corpay, a global business payments company. Walker will join the company on July 21. He has held several CFO positions during his career, including at Sterling Check, Jackson Hewitt, and, most recently, at educational technology company Instructure Holdings. He spent over 17 years at business services company Assurant in finance, accounting and strategy roles, including CFO, executive vice president and global chief strategy officer. Walker takes over for interim CFO Alissa Vickery, who will return to her role as chief accounting officer. was appointed finance chief of Newton Golf, a performance-driven golf equipment company. Clayborne most recently was the chief financial officer of performance apparel brand Perfect Moment, where he led it through its IPO. Before that, he was CFO of Verb Technology Company and oversaw its uplisting to Nasdaq. He earlier held senior financial leadership roles at Sondors, Universal Music Group and The Walt Disney Company. Facility solutions provider ABM promoted to chief financial officer. Orr, who was most recently senior vice president of FP&A, succeeds Earl Ellis, who has been CFO since Nov. 2020. Orr joined ABM in 2001 in its lighting services division before being promoted to vice president of finance and administration. Before that, he was vice president of strategic solutions, where he partnered with operations to align financial strategy with growth initiatives.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
TXRH Q1 Earnings Call: Menu Strategy and Cost Pressures Shape Outlook
Restaurant company Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:TXRH) reported Q1 CY2025 results topping the market's revenue expectations , with sales up 9.6% year on year to $1.45 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.70 per share was 3.3% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy TXRH? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.45 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.44 billion (9.6% year-on-year growth, 0.6% beat) Adjusted EPS: $1.70 vs analyst expectations of $1.76 (3.3% miss) Adjusted EBITDA: $183.5 million vs analyst estimates of $188.4 million (12.7% margin, 2.6% miss) Operating Margin: 9.3%, in line with the same quarter last year Locations: 792 at quarter end, up from 753 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales rose 3.7% year on year (8.1% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $12.92 billion Texas Roadhouse's first quarter results were influenced by consistent guest demand, menu mix shifts, and ongoing operational investments. CEO Jerry Morgan cited a rebound in traffic following a weather-impacted February, emphasizing that 'our average weekly sales for March hit all-time highs at all three brands.' Management also pointed to positive same-store sales and traffic growth, supported by new restaurant openings and expanded digital initiatives. CFO Chris Monroe highlighted that labor efficiency remained strong, with labor hours growing at roughly one-third the rate of traffic, and turnover rates below pre-pandemic levels. The company is maintaining its focus on guest experience, with operational changes such as upgraded kitchen technology and guest management systems contributing to smoother restaurant operations and more accurate wait times. Looking forward, Texas Roadhouse's outlook centers on navigating commodity and labor inflation, as well as potential tariff impacts on supplies and equipment. Management acknowledged that pricing actions are 'below the inflation guidance that we have,' and that commodity inflation, primarily driven by beef and tariffs, is expected to reach 4% for the year. The company plans to continue its measured approach to menu pricing, balancing shareholder and consumer interests as inflationary pressures persist. Morgan noted, 'As we get a little closer to the fall decision, we'll get with our try to make the best decision not only for our shareholders, but for our consumers and for our operators and partners.' Expansion remains a focus, with targets for new restaurant openings and franchise acquisitions, while operational investments in technology and menu innovation are expected to help offset some cost headwinds. Management attributed the first quarter's performance to a recovery in guest traffic, operational efficiency gains, and changes in menu mix, while also noting ongoing cost pressures from labor and commodities. Menu mix shift: Leadership observed a notable guest trend toward higher-priced steak entrées, with CFO Chris Monroe explaining this shift was likely influenced by grocery store steak prices, making dining out comparatively attractive. This helped top-line sales but placed upward pressure on cost of goods sold (COGS), as steak items have lower margin percentages compared to chicken or seafood. Weather and health impacts: The company experienced a pronounced dip in February traffic due to adverse weather and influenza outbreaks, which led to more to-go sales during that period. Management stated that as weather improved, in-person traffic rebounded across all regions, restoring momentum. Labor productivity: Despite inflationary wage pressures, Texas Roadhouse continued to manage labor hours efficiently, with Monroe highlighting that labor hours grew at 35% of traffic growth for the sixth consecutive quarter. Both hourly and manager turnover rates remained below pre-pandemic levels, contributing to operational stability. Digital kitchen rollout: 65% of restaurants had transitioned to a new digital kitchen system by the end of the quarter, with all locations expected to convert by year-end. CEO Jerry Morgan noted the system was reducing kitchen stress and improving efficiency, though the company is still measuring the full impact on throughput and labor. Beverage and menu innovation: The launch of regional beverage menus—including mocktails and $5 all-day beer and margarita offers—was driven by consumer preferences and operator feedback. Early results indicate positive guest reception, with management expecting the full impact to be seen over the coming quarters. Texas Roadhouse expects inflation, menu strategy, and operational investments to be the main factors influencing near-term results. Commodity and wage inflation: Management projects approximately 4% commodity inflation for the year, up from prior estimates due to higher beef costs and new tariffs. Wage and labor inflation is expected to remain in the 4% to 5% range. These pressures are likely to impact restaurant margins, with some cost offsets expected from menu price increases and productivity gains. Measured pricing approach: Leadership reiterated its philosophy of pricing below overall inflation, especially for commodities, to balance guest value with profitability. The company remains cautious about future menu price increases, preferring to make decisions based on evolving inflation trends and consumer sentiment as the year progresses. Technology and efficiency initiatives: The ongoing rollout of digital kitchen and guest management systems aims to improve operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Management believes these investments could help mitigate some inflationary pressures by streamlining kitchen operations and enhancing the guest experience, though full benefits are still being evaluated. Looking ahead, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the impact of commodity and labor inflation on restaurant margins, (2) the effectiveness of new menu and beverage innovations in driving guest traffic and check growth, and (3) progress on the rollout and operational impact of digital kitchen and management systems. Additionally, we will track the company's ability to execute its planned restaurant expansion and franchise acquisition strategy. Texas Roadhouse currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 27.5×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself 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 6 Stocks for this week. 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-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% 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
CNET
05-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNET
8 Expert-Approved Tips to Cut Down Your Gas, Electric and Water Bills
Spring is here and temperatures are rising. You've likely already been dealing with high electricity and energy prices, and if rising utility costs are starting to cause you stress, you aren't alone. A recent CNET survey found that more than 78% of US adults are concerned about their home energy bills. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can save on gas, electricity and water even while temperatures surge. If those higher prices are starting to put a strain on your budget, you can start making changes to reduce the energy you use and cut down your bills. Even small habits like unplugging unused appliances, washing your clothes a different way, cooking with certain energy-saving appliances or setting your thermostat to the right temperature can save a bit of money and make your home more efficient. Here are eight steps you can take to start saving electricity, gas, water -- and cash. For additional money-saving tips, check out more on how to weatherstrip your home to save on bills and a simple home upgrade that can help you save on summer cooling costs. 1. Get an electricity audit Many electric companies offer a free audit, where they do a room-by-room examination of your home and look at your electricity bills to help determine where you're wasting energy. You can follow the recommendations to help reduce your electric bill. If you can't get an audit for free, you might still be able to qualify it under the energy efficient home improvement credit and recoup the costs during tax season. Even if your electric company doesn't provide this service, you can easily perform a DIY home energy audit using the US Department of Energy website's instructions. 2. Adjust your thermostat One of the simplest ways to reduce your electricity bill is to adjust your thermostat. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% on your heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours per day. In other words, keep it a bit warmer in the summer and a bit cooler in the winter. A simple way to do this is to adjust your thermostat when you're either asleep or away from home. If you have a smart thermostat, you can preset your thermostat to adjust during these hours so you don't forget. Adjusting your thermostat a few hours a day can save you big on energy bills. Chris Monroe/CNET 3. Turn down your water heater Many water heater manufacturers set thermostats at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 C). But in reality, most households only need it set at a maximum of 120 Fahrenheit. Setting your water heater to a lower temperature can save hundreds of dollars a year. Adjusting a water heater's temperature is a quick and easy fix. The thermostat dial on your water heater is likely near the bottom of the tank on the electric or gas control valve. Be sure to check the owner's manual for instructions to adjust it -- and if you have any questions, consult a professional technician. Adjusting your water heater can save electricity and reduce bills. Taylor Martin/CNET 4. Turn off and unplug what you aren't using CNET By leaving things around your house plugged in and turned on when you aren't using them, you're driving up your electric bill unnecessarily. You can start by turning off lights when you aren't in the room or when it's light enough outside to rely solely on natural light. Multiply your light bulb's wattage by what your electricity provider charges per kilowatt to find out how much you're saving. That amount only increases with the wattage of the bulb. While it doesn't seem like much, it can add up over time. You can also save money by unplugging appliances you aren't using. Phantom energy, the energy your appliances use when they're plugged in but not turned on, can cost an average of $100 per year. 5. Use your dishwasher It might sound counterintuitive to suggest running an appliance to save on your electricity bill. And yes, there was a time where dishwashers used far more water than they do today. But the Department of Energy regulates how much water modern dishwashers can use. Any dishwasher manufactured since 2013 is limited to using 5 gallons of water. If it's a compact size dishwasher, it's limited to 3.5 gallons. You might think that surely you use less than 5 gallons of water to hand-wash your dishes. But the US Geological Survey estimates that it takes anywhere from 9 to 27 gallons of water to hand-wash a load of dishes. (If you're curious, we've also got a tip on how to load your dishwasher the right way.) 6. Take advantage of off-peak rates Electricity use tends to be higher during certain times of the day and the year. First, demand is higher in the winter and summer when people are running heaters and air conditioners. It's also higher during the daytime and evening hours. Some electricity companies offer time-of-use plans, increasing rates during peak hours and decreasing them during off-peak hours. If you have one of these plans, you can save money by running large appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine early in the morning or late at night. 7. Change your air filters Your air filter helps to catch any dirt, dust, pet hair and more, preventing it from making its way into your HVAC. When you don't change your air filters regularly enough, this debris gets into your HVAC system and bogs it down, reducing its efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, replacing your filters on schedule can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by anywhere from 5% to 15%. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:29 / Duration 8:13 Loaded : 18.09% 0:28 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 7:44 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money 8. More ways to save on your bills There are many steps, big and small, that you can take to reduce your consumption and save money on your bills. The Department of Energy has an entire section of its website devoted to providing tips to help you save on energy. And while plenty of them come with a price tag, there are many more just like those on this list that you can do for free. For more, check out the ceiling fan trick that can help your house stay cooler this summer, and you can also explore our solar cheat sheet. More energy and money saving tips
