Utz Brands

Business

Deckers Outpaces Expectations: HOKA and UGG Fuel Record Quarter, Analysts Probe Durability

Deckers Brands delivered a robust fourth-quarter performance, with sales and earnings exceeding analyst forecasts. Strong global demand for its HOKA and UGG brands, coupled with disciplined operations, powered the results. As shares rally, analysts are pressing management on the sustainability of growth and international expansion plans.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Hershey Doubles Down on Easter with Expanded Candy Lineup, New Partnerships

The Hershey Company is significantly expanding its Easter confectionery offerings, introducing new products, flavors, and packaging formats across its major brands. The move, which includes a new partnership to bring AirHeads into the seasonal mix, underscores the critical importance of the Easter holiday to the chocolate giant's growth strategy and its push into broader snacking categories.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Novartis Beats Profit Target Ahead of Schedule, Charts Course Through Generic Headwinds

The Swiss pharma giant reported robust 2025 results, hitting a key profitability goal early. While facing near-term pressure from U.S. generic competition, CEO Vas Narasimhan outlined a strategy anchored by a portfolio of growth brands and a promising late-stage pipeline.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Pizza Hut to Shutter Hundreds of U.S. Locations as Parent Company Weighs Strategic Future

Yum! Brands announces plans to close approximately 250 underperforming Pizza Hut restaurants in the U.S. by 2026, citing a strategic pivot amid global sales challenges and a potential sale of the iconic chain.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

The Hidden Power Play: Why the 'Operating Layer' Is Now the Ultimate Investment

In a market obsessed with flashy brands, the real competitive edge is shifting beneath the surface. We analyze how investments in foundational infrastructure—from AI data centers to restaurant tech stacks and critical minerals—are reshaping industries and redefining value.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Pizza Hut to Shutter 250 U.S. Locations by 2026 as Parent Company Weighs Brand's Future

Yum! Brands announces closure of underperforming Pizza Hut restaurants amid strategic review, raising questions about the fate of Michigan outlets and potential sale of the iconic chain.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Pizza Hut Trims U.S. Footprint: 250 Underperforming Locations to Close by Mid-2026

Yum! Brands announces a strategic reduction of Pizza Hut's U.S. presence, closing 250 restaurants as part of a broader 'Hut Forward' initiative aimed at long-term growth in a digital-first market.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Pizza Hut to Shutter 250 U.S. Restaurants Amid Parent Company's Strategic Overhaul

Yum! Brands announces the closure of underperforming Pizza Hut locations as part of a broader review, highlighting the chain's ongoing struggle to compete in a crowded market.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Eddie Bauer Faces Potential Shutdown of All North American Stores as Parent Company Weighs Bankruptcy

The future of Eddie Bauer's brick-and-mortar presence in North America hangs in the balance as its corporate parent, Catalyst Brands, prepares a potential bankruptcy filing that could shutter the outdoor retailer's entire store network.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Outdoor Retailer Eddie Bauer Nears Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Ohio Stores Among First Casualties

Catalyst Brands, the operator of Eddie Bauer's North American stores, is preparing a Chapter 11 filing that threatens to shutter approximately 180 locations, with several Ohio stores already closed. The move highlights ongoing turbulence in the brick-and-mortar retail sector.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

The AI Agent Era: Startups Pivot from Search Engines to AI Optimization

A new wave of startups is emerging to help brands adapt their digital presence for AI agents, signaling a fundamental shift away from traditional search engine optimization strategies.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Outdoor Retailer Eddie Bauer Nears Chapter 11 Filing, Ohio Stores Among First Casualties

Catalyst Brands, the North American operator of the century-old outdoor apparel chain Eddie Bauer, is preparing for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, a move expected to shutter its physical stores across the U.S. and Canada, including multiple locations in Ohio.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Pizza Hut to Shutter 250 U.S. Locations by Mid-2026 as Part of 'Hut Forward' Restructuring

Yum Brands announces significant store closures for its Pizza Hut division amid declining sales and a strategic review that could include a sale of the iconic chain.

Feb 4, 2026

Darden Shutters Bahama Breeze Chain, Converts Sites After Nearly 30-Year Run

Darden Restaurants, parent to Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, is closing all remaining Bahama Breeze locations, ending the Caribbean-themed chain's nearly three-decade presence. The company plans to convert the spaces to other brands within its portfolio.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

PepsiCo Stock Outperforms Market, Analysts See Room for Growth Despite Price Cuts

PepsiCo shares have surged over 16% in the past year, outpacing major indices. Following strong Q4 earnings and strategic price reductions on key snack brands, Wall Street maintains a cautiously optimistic 'Moderate Buy' stance, though targets suggest modest upside.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Pizza Hut to Shutter 250 U.S. Restaurants Amid Strategic Overhaul

Yum Brands' Pizza Hut will close hundreds of underperforming domestic locations in the first half of 2026 as part of a broader strategic review, signaling a pivotal moment for the struggling pizza chain.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

PepsiCo Slashes Wholesale Prices on Popular Snacks Ahead of Big Game, But Will Shoppers See the Difference?

PepsiCo has announced significant wholesale price cuts of up to 15% on its flagship snack brands like Doritos and Cheetos. While the move is framed as a response to consumer pressure, the final savings for shoppers hinge on individual retailers' pricing decisions.

Feb 4, 2026

Darden Restaurants to Shutter Bahama Breeze Chain, Convert Select Locations Including Virginia Beach Spot

Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, is closing all 28 Bahama Breeze locations. While 14 restaurants will be converted to other brands in its portfolio, the move marks the end of the tropical-themed casual dining chain.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Taco Bell's Sizzling Growth Steals Market Share as Rivals Stumble

Yum Brands' latest earnings reveal a tale of two chains: Taco Bell's robust 7% same-store sales surge contrasts with Pizza Hut's decline, highlighting a shifting fast-food landscape where value and innovation win.

Feb 4, 2026

Bahama Breeze Winds Down: Cherry Hill Among Final Locations to Close as Darden Retires Caribbean Chain

Darden Restaurants is shuttering all remaining Bahama Breeze locations nationwide by April 2026, ending the tropical-themed chain's nearly 30-year run. The Cherry Hill Mall outpost, New Jersey's last, will close this April, with some other sites converting to different Darden brands.

Feb 4, 2026