Council Members in this Study Group: 178
This study group may include experts knowledgeable on topics such as automotive manufacturing and dealerships, after market distribution, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, convenience stores, supermarkets, packaged goods manufacturing, department stores and discounters, jewelry and cosmetics, hotels and resorts, restaurants, casinos, and the travel industry, among others.
Leading institutions connect with members of this Study Group through GLG
John MacalusoPartner & Principal
Salad Creations![]()
Mr. John Macaluso is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cornell Management Group, a full-service advisory and strategic planning company, focusing on the restaurant and food service industry. He is also a Master Franchisee and Area Developer...
President
Purpose Consulting and Land Development![]()
Brian Price is the President of Purpose Consulting and Land Development, a consulting firm specializing in the restaurant and retail industry, with clients including franchisees of Applebee's, Famous Dave's, Del Taco, and Ruby's Diner's. Mr. Price has...
Steve BigariChief Executive Officer
I3 Marketing![]()
Steve Bigari has been in the restaurant industry since 1987. He currently serves as CEO of I3 Marketing, a consulting firm and call center serving a diverse group of national, regional and local restaurants that he started in 2006. In addition, Mr. Bigari...
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Starbucks Lean Alone Will Not Beat McDonald's
August 5, 2009
Starbucks Works on Leaner Strategies | online.wsj.com
Starbucks recent attempts will not be enough to stem the market share inroads made recently by McDonald's. The Combined Beverage plan of McDonald's is a comprehensive program built on a solid foundation that is both strategically and tactically solid. Concurrently, Starbucks jumps from sandwiches to instant coffee to liquor to lean. They look like McDonald’s did a decade ago, lost. I will explain the principle reasons while McDonald's will continue to take market share from Starbucks.
December 15, 2008
More restaurants serve up promotions for these lean times | www.orlandosentinel.com
1. Consumers are spending less -- the restaurant competitive landscape is as fierce as it's ever been.2. Commodity costs (with the exception of fuel) are rising and will continue to rise for the foreseeable future.3. Restaurants are caught between protecting margins and maintaining customer counts/market share.
"Whopper Virgins" will be a box-office hit!
December 8, 2008
Fresh Palates for Burger King | online.wsj.com
1. The Burger Wars are heating up again.2. The players are searching for innovative and attention-grabbing hooks.3. Recent Burger King ad campaigns have not been working -- franchisees in many regions across the country are up in arms.4. The outcry and resultant publicity will have BK execs, franchisees, and the ad agency smiling as sales build.
Restaurant prices will plateau, not fall.
November 18, 2008
Price for Oil, Grains Fall -- But Food Prices Unlikely to Soften Before 2009 | www.soyatech.com
1. The article is accurate -- it will be some time --many months -- before retailers and restaurants see prices falling.2. Restaurants will maintain higher prices, even after their food costs start to fall.3. The food industry has been hard hit by higher commodity costs, and they will attempt to recoup losses.
Casual/family dining DineEquity is running out of equity!
September 12, 2008
DineEquity Meltdown Predictable | biz.yahoo.com
1. DineEquity, now one of the largest casual/family dining chains is a bellweather for the segment.2. All the equity has been squeezed out of the balance sheet: *Divested the real estate and corp. investment underlying franchise units a couple of years ago. *Sale-leaseback on many Applebee's locations to help fund the acquisition. *Refranchising of hundreds of Applebee's company locations, which is going much slower than anticipated.3. The sudden departure of the CFO is troubling.