Latest news with #Irth
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Apollo, Irth Capital look to take Papa Johns private
Apollo and a Qatari investment fund have made a bid for Papa John's that would value the pizza chain at around $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. It's an unlikely pairing: Apollo, one of Wall Street's deepest pockets; and Irth Capital, which is backed by Sheikh Mohamed al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family, and managed just $190 million as of Dec. 31, regulatory filings show. With Papa John's stock now trading around $48 a share, the consortium made a bid in the low $60s, people familiar with the matter said. Irth brings a 5% stake in Papa John's and some expertise in buying consumer brands in need of a turnaround. One of its cofounders bought mattress maker Casper in 2021 and Bojangles, the fried-chicken house, in 2017. But the smaller fund still needs to sort out its financing, and it's possible that Apollo could go at it alone, according to people familiar with the matter. The pizzeria's shares have outperformed competitors under CEO Todd Penegor, and while the stock still trades at a slight discount to Yum! and Domino's, management has publicly said it is making progress changing that. 'We know we can deliver good value for the money and keep building on the trends that we're seeing,' Penegor said at an investor conference Tuesday. Apollo and Papa John's declined to comment. Irth did not return requests for began exploring a takeover of the American icon earlier this year, Semafor first reported in February. Apollo has made forays into fast food before. It acquired Wagamama's parent, Restaurant Group, in a $620 million deal in 2023, and until 2022 owned Mexican fast-casual chain Qdoba. But private equity represents a smaller and smaller part of its business these days — more than 80% of its $785 billion under management is made up of loans. Any formal sales process would bring other bidders eager for a shot at a leveraged buyout in a quiet market. Inspire Brands, the owner of Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings, has historically been a voracious buyer and hasn't done a big deal since 2020, when it bought Dunkin' Donuts. Roark Capital, which owns Subway, is likely still digesting a $1 billion deal for Dave's Hot Chicken announced last week, though Papa John's franchise model — in which the company licenses out menus, logos, and ingredients to independent owners — aligns with their investment strategy.
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Irth Bags by Titan expands retail footprint with store launch in Noida
Irth Bags, a premium handbag brand from the House of Titan has strengthened its retail footprint with the launch of its first exclusive store in DLF Mall of India, Noida. The store launch is part of Irth's ambitious expansion strategy which includes opening 25 new stores across India by FY25-26. It is targeting a total of 100 exclusive stores nationwide by FY28. The store spread over an area of 401 sq ft will house the brand's curated range of handbags ranging from workbags, tall totes, shoulder bags, handhelds, slings, cross body, clutches and wallets. Commenting on the expansion, Manish Gupta, CEO of fragrance accessories division at Titan Ltd in a statement said, 'We are delighted to open our fifth exclusive Irth store in India, located in Noida. This launch is a key milestone as we aim to build Irth into a Rs 1000 crore brand by FY27, alongside Fastrack Bags. Noida's rapid growth and aspirational consumer base make it a strategic market for our premium, design-led handbags.' 'The new DLF Mall of India store reinforces our commitment to offering high-quality bags for modern Indian women and is a significant step in IRTH's national retail expansion, strengthening our presence in North India,' he added. Irth is currently present in 136 large-format retail stores such as Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop and available online exclusively on Myntra.
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
Saudi Arabia Pavilion: Together for a Better Future
Saudi Arabia, which will host the next World Expo in Riyadh in 2030, has designed its pavilion to recreate the traditional architecture of its ancient capital. Walking through its winding halls takes visitors to an inner courtyard that is planned to host over 700 events, including daily music and theater performances, dances, and storytelling sessions. The pavilion has seven rooms and galleries with a wide variety of exhibits. These include projection mapping of pearl diving and other stories of the sea, an immersive gallery exploring Riyadh's evolution into a global metropolis, and Arabian leopard puppet theater performances. The restaurant Irth serves authentic dishes from across Saudi Arabia's 13 regions, and there is a must-visit shop selling traditional craft goods showcasing the nation's artisan skills. The Saudi Arabia pavilion is located in the Connecting Lives zone. ( See the official map for details.) Saudi Arabia marks its national day on Tuesday, September 23, at the Expo National Day Hall. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion. (© ) The Saudi Arabia Pavilion. (© ) The Saudi Arabia Pavilion. (© ) (Originally published in Japanese. Reporting and text by Uchiyama Ken'ichi and . Photographic assistance by Kuroiwa Masakazu of 96-Box. Banner photo © .)
The Guardian
17-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Black maternal health is about more than survival – it's about thriving
Maternal deaths have recently dropped in the US – that is, unless you're Black. Black women continue to face the highest rates of maternal mortality in our country. To be Black, pregnant and hopeful in the US is to hold on to life with a fierce and unyielding grip against devastating odds. Black women are navigating pregnancies in a healthcare system that too often ignores our pain, dismisses our concerns, fails to value our lives and underserves us throughout the entire journey to motherhood. As we mark Black maternal health week, the path to becoming a mom remains fraught with pain points for Black women. For too many Black women, the journey to motherhood may start with dismissive doctors and racially motivated mistreatment: a soon-to-be mother's voice is silenced in the very spaces meant to protect her health. The experience of giving birth is compounded by systemic inequities that compromise her safety and dignity. Stillbirth and miscarriage rates remain disproportionately high due to inadequate prenatal support, while unequal pain treatment leaves Black mothers suffering in silence – ignored or under-treated. A heightened tendency for unnecessary C-sections reflects deep-rooted biases in medical decision-making, exacerbated by implicit racial bias. When the baby is born, the postpartum period is often marked by systemic gaps in care that leave Black women vulnerable to physical, emotional and financial strain. Limited access to postpartum mental health support means many struggle with anxiety and depression without adequate professional guidance, worsening the already heightened maternal mortality rates among Black women. The absence of comprehensive postpartum resources leaves Black mothers navigating recovery, newborn care and maternal health largely on their own, reinforcing a cycle of isolation and inequity. It takes a village to raise a child – and to protect an expecting mother. So while we've heard many grim stories through our research at the health advocacy organization United States of Care, we've also heard stories of communities banding together to meet the needs of Black women and mothers. Across the country, community-based maternal health organizations are building capacity and cultural responsiveness in maternal healthcare that offers what I like to call 'bright spots'. These bright spots are not just exceptions, but blueprints for the rest of the country. An expecting mother may turn to culturally aligned healthcare providers who offer specialized care, fostering a deep sense of trust, support and security for both her and her baby. Doulas can improve her experience by providing personalized care that is tailored to her and guides her through the pregnancy journey. Additionally, telehealth like the Maven Clinic and Pomelo Care can promote racially concordant care, provide access to interdisciplinary care teams, and bridge access to care gaps. And tech innovations the Irth app, a 'Yelp-like' app that offers provider reviews from Black and brown women, can empower her to make informed decisions about her care. When the baby arrives, she may reach out to organizations focused on addressing maternal mental health, like the Houston-based Shades of Blue Project, which offers structured journaling support groups for Black women and aims to decrease the stigma related to seeking mental health treatment. She may seek a doula or lactation consultant that supports her with her breastfeeding challenges or access local programs like Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment Café, a Philadelphia-based community lactation and perinatal mental health support program that is replicable, scalable, peer-driven and low-barrier intervention that has the potential to improve outcomes. In countless neighborhoods across the US, community organizations on and offline are creating lifelines for Black women where our healthcare system falls short. These local efforts provide a national model of cultural responsiveness, holistic care and trust building that we hope to see innovators, policymakers and leaders across the country adopt. As we recognize these local initiatives, it's important to consider what sustains them: strong community ties, committed leadership and diverse funding streams. Maternal health solutions must happen both at the bedside and in the halls of power: more policymakers, philanthropists and healthcare institutions must step forward to invest in these models, scaling them while preserving their community-driven success. Black maternal health is about more than survival; it's about thriving. It's about empowering Black mothers to experience joy in their pregnancies, to be supported from preconception all the way through postpartum, and to raise their families in a world that values their lives. Let these bright spots serve as both inspiration and a guide. It's time for Black women to be listened to, cared for and treated with the dignity we've always deserved. We can build a future where the health and wellbeing of Black mothers is no longer an anomaly but a standard. Venice Haynes is a social and behavioral scientist with more than 17 years of public health experience. She is the senior director of research and community engagement for United States of Care
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Irth Capital Management considers takeover of Papa Johns
Qatari-backed investment fund Irth Capital Management is considering a takeover bid for US-based pizza chain Papa Johns, as reported by Semafor. The investment fund, which is supported by a member of Qatar's royal family, has consulted with advisers about making a private bid for Papa Johns, which has a market capitalisation of $1.6bn. Irth Capital Management, co-founded by Matthew Bradshaw and Sheikh Mohamed 'Moe' al Thani, disclosed a 4.99% stake in Papa Johns in 2024. This equates to 1.6 million shares valued at $70m - just below the threshold that would require it to disclose any plans. Irth's approach is to reportedly acquire small stakes in public companies, in order to eventually acquire them completely. In an investor brochure, the company stated that it 'creates many of its own opportunities'. Bradshaw has significant experience, having previously co-founded Durational Capital. Durational is known for taking Bojangles private in partnership with The Jordan Company for $593.7m. That deal, first announced in 2018, was finalised on 28 January 2019 after gaining shareholder approval. Durational also acquired mattress company Casper in 2021 and made it private. Regulatory filings indicate that Irth manages assets valued at $200m. In 2018, Papa Johns was believed to be a takeover target of Trian Partners. In 2019, activist firm Starboard Value invested $200m in the pizza chain. Papa Johns then agreed to repurchase shares from Starboard Value in March 2023. In January 2025, the chain unveiled its strategy to re-enter the Indian foodservice market, targeting a 2025 launch. It had exited India in 2017 due to operational and branding challenges. "Irth Capital Management considers takeover of Papa Johns" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
