Consumer Discret Sel Sect SPDR® ETF

Restaurant industry sales have experienced growth in the past 12 months. Sales are poised to grow to $709 billion.

The recent rally in Shake Shack’s share prices—without any new catalyst—may indicate that investors are optimistic about the company’s prospects.

According to a study by researchers at John Hopkins University, the arsenic in served chicken isn’t healthy. It could increase consumers’ cancer risk.

In 4Q14, TPG-Axon sold its stakes in Macy’s (M), Monsanto (MON), Alibaba Group Holding (BABA), and Vantiv (VNTV).

While the absolute minimum wage has increased, when adjusted for inflation in 2015, its purchasing power has declined.

Dunkin’ Brands is now expanding into the afternoon daypart in order to win customers in a different daypart and improve sales leverage.

In 2006, Starwood’s management embarked on an asset-light strategy. It decided to sell a significant portion of Starwood’s owned hotel portfolio.

On February 10, 2015, Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced plans to spin off its vacation ownership business into a separate publicly traded company.

The master franchise agreement gives the master franchisee operating rights to a supply chain in a given international region.

Home Depot’s (HD) stock has performed well over the past five years. In fact, it’s been the best-performing stock in its peer group.

The growth in TJX Companies’ same-store sales slowed down in fiscal 2015, growing by 2.0% compared to 3.0% in fiscal 2014.

Domino’s debt is high because it was the product of a leveraged buyout. The latest recapitalization happened in 2012, leaving it with $1.57 billion in debt.

Dunikin’ is embracing technology with a phone app that allows you to search Dunkin’ Donuts locations, see nutritional information, and gift Dunkin’ treats.

Dunkin’ Brands’ (DNKN) sources of revenue include franchise revenue, sale of ice cream products, company-owned sales, rental income, and other income.

Brinker incurs key costs of operations to run its company-owned restaurants, including cost of sales, labor and related costs, and rent and other costs.

Benefits to a franchise model include low need for capital, more focus on brand in marketing and menus, and a potential to penetrate faster into the market.

As of December 2013, Dunkin’ Brands had 5,736 points of distribution (or POD). In its International Development Plan, it plans to expand that to 9,500.

Dunkin’ Donuts is Dunkin’ Brands’ most important brand, with 77% of the revenue or $568 million in 2014. Of this, $548 million was from the US market.

As of 2014, there were about 2,500 Baskin-Robbins locations in the United States and about 5,000 locations in the international market.

Domino’s plans to have all its stores remodelled according to the Pizza Theater design by the end of fiscal 2017.

Dunkin’ Donuts’ combined revenue from national as well as international units was $569 million in 2014. Of that, $548 million came from the US market alone.

From 2011 to 2012, Wendy’s (WEN) started its Image Activation program. It’s a program to remodel restaurants. It plans to remodel almost 1,331 restaurants.

Wendy’s franchise agreements are only renewable after ten years. Wendy’s rental income from franchisees grew from $27 million in 2013 to $68 million in 2014.

Wendy’s performance has been based on the economy, consumers’ preferences, and spending patterns in the US. International expansion will have its own complexities.

QSCC (Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc.) is an independent non-profit organization that’s responsible for the Wendy’s (WEN) supply chain management.

The revenue from owned, leased, and consolidated joint ventures is primarily derived from hotel operations. This includes room rentals and food and beverage sales.

Because Domino’s Pizza sells dough and ingredients to its own franchises, the company derives dual benefits from the supply chain segment.

Disposable income increased by 40 basis points month-over-month in January. On a YoY (year-over-year) basis, disposable income increased 9.5%.

The average check at Chili’s in 2014 was $14.31, lower than its main peers. Maggiano’s average check was $26.72, the highest among its peers.

Supply chain segment In terms of revenue, the supply chain is Domino’s Pizza’s (DPZ) most important segment. In fiscal 2014, it contributed 63%, or $1.26 billion, toward the company’s total revenue. Domino’s international master franchises have the right to operate a supply chain in their respective regions. The facilities The supply chain segment consists of the […]

Of its three main business segments, Domino’s Pizza earns least revenue from its company-owned stores.

Domino’s (DPZ) is the second-largest pizza chain in the world, with a total of 11,629 restaurant units. Its total system sales in 2013 were $3.8 billion.

Domino’s Pizza had a 13% market share of the quick service restaurant industry in the US as of December 2014.

Home Depot invests considerable sums in providing a superior customer experience. Its co-founders say “the customer has a bill of rights at The Home Depot.”

Activist investor Starboard Value opposed Red Lobster’s sale, stating that Darden management could do more to turn the undervalued brand around.

Chili’s is the most important restaurant under the Brinker (EAT) umbrella. Chili’s contributed 86%, or $2,443 million, to the company’s sales in 2014.

Fiscal 2015 was a record year for Home Depot. The stock has returned over 47% over the past year and over 10% year-to-date.

For the quarter ending in December 2014, Alibaba achieved 265 million monthly active users on its mobile commerce apps. This is a sequential growth of 22%.

Marriott’s revenues totaled nearly $3.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $3.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013.

LongHorn Steakhouse’s same-store sales increased to 2.7% in 2014 year-over-year from 1.2% in 2013. This is lower compared to fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011.

As of fiscal 2014, revenue from Specialty Restaurant Group was $1,230 million, or 19.5% of the total revenue for Darden Restaurants.

Labor productivity growth has slumped to a negative. The 30-year average is 2%. However, this average has been quite volatile.

Nike (NKE) has a number of stores-within-stores, or exclusive standalone stores, partnering with retailers.

In 2014, Olive Garden contributed about 58% to Darden’s revenues as of fiscal 2014. Olive Garden gained importance after Darden sold Red Lobster in 2014.

As of 2014, Darden Restaurants owned 1,520 restaurants, excluding more than 700 Red Lobster locations.

Swift operates a diverse fleet of 18,000 tractors, 60,000 trailers, and 8,700 intermodal containers from more than 40 terminals in the US and Mexico.

The largest studios are owned by conglomerates like 21st Century Fox (FOXA) whose studio had the largest 2014 domestic box office market share.

Hilton Worldwide (HLT) generates revenue from its hotel operations. Hilton’s system-wide occupancy increased 2.3% YoY to 71% in 4Q14.

Hilton’s 4Q14 revenue increased 7% YoY to $2,828 million. For 2014, its revenue increased by 10.5 billion, or 7.9%—compared to 2013.

Real disposable income increased 3.7% year-over-year. This boosts consumer buying power and means consumer spending in leisure activities may increase.