Latest news with #Mediterranean-themed
Axios
6 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Boatman Spirits adds a distillery and restaurant to downtown Raleigh
Boatman Spirits Co., a Mediterranean-themed restaurant and distillery from a group of Triangle hospitality veterans, is nearing its debut in downtown Raleigh. Why it matters: At 7,000 square feet, Boatman will be the largest tenant yet to open in Seaboard Station, a mixed-use development on the northern end of downtown trying to cement itself as the city's next drinking and eating district. Driving the news: Boatman will open its doors to the public Friday, June 13, starting with dinner hours only before adding a lunch menu in the coming weeks. State of play: Boatman is the brainchild of longtime staples of the Raleigh dining scene, including Zack Thomas, who has helped run bars at places like The Crunkleton and Foundation; Aaron Lambert, formerly of Whiskey Kitchen; Geremy Prichard, the group's distiller who studied bioprocessing at N.C. State; and George Ghneim, a local veterinarian and restaurateur who previously owned the downtown restaurant Riviera. Zoom in: Boatman will have a large distillery space, featuring a 240-gallon copper still, used to make gin; vodka; whiskey and rye; Arak, a Middle Eastern spirit and an Amaro featuring acorns as an ingredient. The restaurant side, which will have a view into the distillery, will have a large bar and several dining rooms tucked underneath archways and between columns. The menu includes Mediterranean staples like grilled halloumi, falafel, beef and lamb shawarmas and a lamb kofta burger. Dessert includes: tahini ice cream and stuffed dates. Boatman will also have a negroni aged in an amphora, a clay jar historically used by Greeks and Romans to store liquids. Address: 713 Seaboard Station Dr., Raleigh
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Are Cava Shares Falling Despite Strong Results, and What Does It Mean for Investors?
Cava once again saw tremendous same-store sales growth in its latest quarter. The company has a huge expansion opportunity still in front of it. It has all the ingredients to be the next Chipotle-type growth story. 10 stocks we like better than Cava Group › Despite being one of the fastest-growing restaurant concepts around, Cava Group's (NYSE: CAVA) stock has failed to gain any traction this year. This was evident once again after its stock slipped despite another strong showing from the fast-casual Mediterranean-themed restaurant operator when it reported its fiscal first-quarter results. The stock is now down around 14% in 2025, as of this writing. Let's dig into the company's fiscal Q1 results to see if investors should buy the dip in the stock. Cava's string of double-digit same-store sales growth continued in its fiscal Q1, which ended April 20. Its same-restaurant sales climbed 10.8%, with a 7.5% increase in guest traffic and a 3.3% rise in price and mix. That was just ahead of the 10.3% increase that analysts had projected, as compiled by StreetAccount. It also continued its strong streak of recent same-store sales results over the past four quarters. Metric Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Same-store sales growth 14.4% 18.1% 21.2% 10.8% Traffic 9.5% 12.9% 15.6% 7.5% Price and mix 4.9% 5.2% 5.6% 3.3% Data source: Cava Group earnings press releases. The introduction of grilled steak last summer was the catalyst for the company's strong same-store sales growth, and it said this past quarter that it was continuing to see customers add higher-priced items to its orders, such as pita chips and house-made juices. It called out strength across geographies and income brackets as well, noting that the company was benefiting from customers trading up from fast food as well as trading down from casual-dining restaurants. Its summer menu introductions this year will include chef-curated bowls and Hot Harissa Pita Chips, and it's testing new menu items such as chicken shawarma in select markets. It's also looking to help drive growth by adding a tiered structure to its loyalty program that will tailor benefits and look to increase customer engagement. Cava's overall revenue for the quarter climbed 28% year over year to $328.5 million. It opened 15 new locations in the quarter, bringing its total to 382 restaurants, an 18% year-over-year increase. It is now operating in 26 states after entering Indiana with plans to enter the new markets of Detroit and Pittsburgh later this year. Overall, it plans to open between 64 and 68 new locations in 2025. Its restaurant-level margins (RLMs) stayed steady at 25.1% in the quarter versus 25.2% a year ago. RLMs measure the profitability of restaurants before corporate costs and are an important metric in the industry. Cava's RLMs were just below the 26.2% that Chipotle Mexican Grill produced in Q1, showing how strong the company's operating performance is compared to one of the leaders in the industry. On the profitability front, Cava's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose 35% year over year to $44.9 million. The company produced $38.6 million in operating cash flow in the quarter and free cash flow of $2.7 million. This demonstrates that Cava is able to expand its locations while living within its means, not taking any undue risks. Looking ahead, the company raised its 2025 adjusted EBITDA outlook, taking it from between $150 million and $157 million to a new range of $152 million to $159 million. Meanwhile, it maintained its forecast for same-store sales to increase by 6% to 8% with RLMs ranging from 24.8% to 25.2%. It implemented an approximate 1.7% price increase in early January and has no plans for additional increases. It said its exposure to tariffs is limited as the majority of its ingredients are domestically sourced or covered under existing contracts. Trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of nearly 174 and a price-to-sales ratio of 9.4 based on 2025 analyst estimates, Cava stock is not cheap. And right now, valuation is the biggest risk to the stock, especially if consumer spending begins to slow. However, with fewer than 400 locations and its same-store sales booming, the company has a huge expansion opportunity in front of it. It's looking to reach at least 1,000 restaurants by 2032, which is nearly triple the number of locations it has today. Overall, Cava has all the ingredients of a highly successful emerging restaurant stock, with strong same-store sales, robust RLMs, attractive average unit volumes, and a long runway for expansion. As such, long-term investors can look to take a position in this strong story. Before you buy stock in Cava Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Cava Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $642,582!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,879!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 975% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Geoffrey Seiler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool recommends Cava Group and recommends the following options: short June 2025 $55 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Are Cava Shares Falling Despite Strong Results, and What Does It Mean for Investors? was originally published by The Motley Fool 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
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Fence trick that will make your whole garden look bigger in time for summer
With the season of garden improvement now upon us and BBQs and outdoor gatherings on the horizon, it's time to consider how even limited garden space can be transformed Did you know that the colour of your garden fence can play a massive role in creating the illusion of a more spacious outdoor area? As we step into the season ripe for garden sprucing, with barbecues and alfresco socials on the cards, it's prime time to think about how even a cosy garden can seem grander with just a dash of paint. It's worth taking a moment to ponder the perfect shade because slapping on lighter, neutral tones can magically make your space seem larger by bouncing back more light, while bold or dark colours might do just the opposite. For green-fingered enthusiasts eager to enlarge their outdoor haven this summer, gardening guru Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote has dished out her top five colour picks to help Brits revamp their gardens. Opting for light grey can seriously boost the sense of space. Light grey isn't just a popular choice among British homeowners; it's also a clever trick to give your garden an expansive feel. Fiona advises: "Light grey softens and blurs the frame of your garden, making it look much bigger than it is. Lighter colours such as grey tend to reflect more light than dark colours, making it feel much brighter and open, enhancing the perception of space." If you're more of a green thumb who favours lush greenery over blooms, picking a fence in a light shade could be your ticket to an enchanting garden escape. As one gardening expert explains: "It's a great option if you have more foliage-based plants rather than flowers throughout your garden, too, as the contrast between the light hue of the fence draws the eye outward. This makes the boundaries of the garden appear less constrictive and enhances the sense of spaciousness." In fact, adopting a soft sage hue for fences isn't just trendy, it's practically genius for expanding your outdoor scene visually. It turns out that opting for fencing in gentle greens can meld seamlessly with your verdant borders. Not only does it envelop your space in continuity, but it also plays down those pesky garden walls making everything feel all the more expansive. For those with an artistic flair in their plant choices, tones like beige and ivory might just be the perfect backdrop palette. Garden guru Fiona highlights how these neutral tones are particularly beloved in gardens channelling a Mediterranean vibe, explaining: "Neutral tones, a particular favourite in more Mediterranean-themed gardens, serve as a neutral background that allow other elements such as colourful plants to stand out. "The lack of visual distraction can make the garden appear larger, keeping the focus on other garden features and thus making it feel more expansive." But that's not all – these understated hues can also ooze minimalism and radiate simplicity, encapsulating a modern gardening trend sweeping through current landscapes. Fiona adds: "Not only that, but beige and ivory tones have a minimalist feel which emphasises simplicity and openness, a contemporary garden trend that we're seeing a lot of right now. "By keeping the colour palette as simple as possible, they create a clean and uncluttered look that creates a spacious feel in the garden." And for those aiming to conjure up an illusion of grandeur within their grassy retreats, consider this: a fence donned in light blue may just be the trick to unlocking a seemingly boundless garden Eden. Move over, neutral fence colours - it's time to think blue skies and summery vibes. "Not all fence colours have to be neutral colours, either. Light blue is often associated with the sky on a clear, summer's day and by painting fences light blue, you mimic the colour of the sky, creating the colour of an expansive overhead space. "Not only that, but the contrast of the light blue with any greenery makes vegetation stand out more prominently, therefore casting the eye upward and creating a sense of depth and openness in the garden." Soft pink fences could be your go-to for south-facing gardens, according to Jenkins' advice: "If you're lucky enough to get sun in the garden through all points of the day, a soft pink may be the colour option for you. "South facing gardens boast beautiful sunshine all day long and the soft hues of sunrise and sunset can cause gardens with pink fences to look much bigger. "It can also evoke the sense of natural beauty, creating a serene environment which feels expansive and inviting." "Fences with high contrast colours or include busy patterns and intricate designs can overwhelm the visual space and make the garden feel smaller, as they break up the continuity of the garden space," warns Jenkins. He adds that opting for brassy oranges, red-tinged browns or bold yellows might just squeeze your open air escape, making it appear more crowded than calming.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Which food kiosks were worth the wait at the 2025 NFL Draft Experience? Here's what we found
One way to recognize a good food spot is to look at how long it's line is; the longer the line, the higher the demand is for the food. At least that was the case at the 2025 NFL Draft, where thousands of fans gathered in the Draft Experience on the Lambeau Field campus and the Titletown district. While there were a few of the usual concession offerings inside of the stadium, most of the attendees gathered in the food court, right next to the Beer Hall, where eight Wisconsin restaurants were featured. Fans were able to choose from Not By Bread Alone, Heaven's Table BBQ, Lil Jamaica, Legendary Gyros, Chandler House Bakery, Brewed. A Coffee Shop, Brokogi and The Marq Supper Club. Based off of wait times and customers comments, these were the most popular food spots in the Draft Experience. The Mediterranean-themed kiosk normally operates out of a food truck selling several gyro flavors across the state. Draft attendees were able to choose from gyros, gyro bowls and Specialty Legendary gyros made with gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, hummus, tomatoes, crispy onions, feta cheese and lettuce in a seven inch pita. Jeff Payton traveled from Madison to attend the draft and said Legendary Gyros lived up to his expectations. "There's an authentic gyro spot back home that I always visit and this is pretty close to that," Payton said. Despite the more than 15-minute wait in line and the cost for the meal, $17 for a standard gyro or gyro bowl and $19 for the Specialty Legendary Gyro, Eugene Winkel and his friend Jessaaron Baur still chose Legendary Gyros for their mid-day draft meal. We've heard it's pretty good and you get a lot for what you pay for,' said Winkle. Josh Zimmerman of Steven's Point waited more than 20 minutes in the line for Heaven's Table BBQ, a Milwaukee-based restaurant. His meal choice? The Heaven's Table pulled pork sandwich made with hickory and cherry wood smoked pork, seasoned with a house blend and served on a bun for $15. Zimmerman said the price-point was a little high, but the sandwich was worth it for the flavor and portion. Travis Benter agreed. "It's got great seasoning and it's a pretty decent portion too," Benter said. The kiosk also sells brisket sandwiches for $16, house-baked beans for $6 and coleslaw for $5. Green Bay's own Lil Jamaica was a fan favorite as many waited 15 minutes in line. The authentic Jamaican-cuisine restaurant is selling its signature bowls, rice and beans topped with a choice of protein. Customers could choose from the jerk chicken bowl, jerk pork bowl, curry chicken bowl and a bowl made with shredded jerk chicken instead of a whole chicken leg, for $15 each. Lance Myers, a Green Bay native, said he's visited the restaurant a few times outside of the draft and knew it would be a good choice. "I've been to Jamaica three times and this is pretty close to the real thing," Myers said. The Marq Supper Club, based in the town of Lawrence, just south of De Pere, highlights popular Wisconsin dishes at the draft with its menu. When Sheila Hurt and Gary Stinson saw the kiosk, they didn't have to debate too long on where they'd be getting their meal from. Hurt chose the fish fry, made with two pieces of perch fillets, french fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce for $20. "We're from Eau Claire but we just really wanted some Wisconsin food," Hurt said. Customers in the more than 20-minute line could also choose from a beer brat and fries for $15, a fried perch sandwich with coleslaw, cheddar cheese and French fries for $19 and cheese curds with homemade dressing for $9. Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@ Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: These food kiosks are worth the wait, according to fans at the NFL draft
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Has Cava Stock Finally Bottomed Out?
Tariff talks have been sinking the markets over the past few weeks, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite have been in and out of correction territory. The good news for investors is that many stocks that are too expensive have been coming down in price, giving them the opportunity to buy on the dip at a reasonable valuation. Cava Group (NYSE: CAVA) stock is a great example. The company has reported impressive metrics since going public in 2023, and investors have responded by grabbing the stock at seemingly any price, pushing it up to astronomical valuations. Despite phenomenal performance, the stock has tumbled 23% year to date. Below, I'll look at what's going on and whether Cava stock has finally bottomed out. Cava operates a chain of Mediterranean-themed fast-casual restaurants with a similar model to Chipotle Mexican Grill. It uses a limited selection of fresh, premium ingredients to customize a large menu of dishes at a price point above fast food but lower than sit-down dining. The restaurants are geared toward affluent customers who want and can pay for healthier fare. So far, it looks like customers are loving it, and it's growing at a fast pace. Revenue increased 33% in 2024, driven by a 13% increase in same-store sales. That's a very high same-store sales growth rate, compared with industry standards, and implies that Cava has a solid concept that can attract business and generate loyalty. The company still has a small number of stores and is expanding at a steady pace. It opened 58 stores in 2024 and plans to open about 64 in 2025. Contribution profit -- which measures how profitable Cava is at the individual restaurant level -- is increasing at a healthy pace, up 34% year over year in 2024, and contribution margin improved by 0.2 percentage points to 25%. That's driving bottom-line growth, and net income skyrocketed from $13.3 million to $130.3 million in 2024. Cava has only 367 stores, as of the end of 2024, but envisions reaching 1,000 over the next seven years. That implies a major acceleration. However, even if it doesn't hit 1,000 stores by 2032, it should be able to keep up robust growth through store openings and increasing same-store sales. Management is guiding for a slowdown in same-store sales this year to 7%, and that guidance is part of the reason the stock began to sink earlier this year. Cava pointed out that it isn't planning to increase prices further this year, which accounts for part of the slowdown, since price increases are included in same-store sales growth. Be wary when too much of same-store sales growth is attributed to price increases since it means the growth isn't coming from more traffic or volume. Management is expecting most of the same-store sales growth in 2025 to come from traffic, which is a positive sign. The market sees a huge future ahead for Cava. The company has a solid concept and strong execution and is so small that there's a lot of opportunity. You can see just how enthusiastic the market is from Cava stock's high valuation. Even down this year, it trades at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 78, which isn't a bargain. However, it might not get any lower. Investors are sensing opportunity in the lower stock price, and Cava stock is already on the upswing. There's still a lot of reason for caution. Because Cava is so small, there's not a lot of history to rely on when making your investing decision. It could also be negatively impacted by the tariff situation or other economic changes that could be coming. However, given Cava's great start, if you can buy and hold its stock for at least five years, you likely will be well-rewarded if you buy today. One strategy to use is dollar-cost averaging, where you buy in at different price points to try to benefit from dips. Before you buy stock in Cava Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Cava Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $461,558!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $578,035!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 730% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 147% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025 Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool recommends Cava Group and recommends the following options: short March 2025 $58 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Has Cava Stock Finally Bottomed Out? was originally published by The Motley Fool
