Showing posts with label Yum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yum. Show all posts

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Clouds in industry's coffee this morning

The bad news is starting early today, with Burger King disclosed a 10% drop in profits for its most recent quarter and O'Charley's posting a $103-million loss for 2008. The standout number: an 18% decline in same-store sales for O'Charley's Stoney River steakhouse chain, and the $7.99 price tag on new promotional items at the company's namesake brand.

O'Charley's said it has cut costs by cutting back its headquarters staff, freezing salaries and undertaking a "redesign" of benefits for hourly employees.

BK blamed its financial disappointment largely on unfavorable currency exchange rates. It stressed that North American comps had increased 1.9%, and noted that it will introduce in some areas a new, "extra thick" burger called the Steakhouse XT.

On Tuesday Yum! Brands also posted a double-digit drop in profits for its most recent quarter. Among the gems delivered in its follow-up call with analysts was the disclosure that KFC will introduce its value menu next week and will roll out the much-ballyhooed Kentucky Grilled Chicken line in April.