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    Alexander Slagle

    Senior Vice President and Equity Research Analyst at Jefferies

    Alexander Slagle is a Senior Vice President and Equity Research Analyst at Jefferies, specializing in consumer cyclical and consumer defensive sectors with dedicated coverage of companies such as Domino's Pizza, Brinker International, The Chef’s Warehouse, US Foods Holding, CAVA Group, The Wendy’s Company, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, and Jack in the Box. He has a documented track record with a price target success ratio averaging 88-89% and an average return of 38.3%, highlighted by standout recommendations such as a rapid outperform call on Papa John’s International. Slagle began his research career prior to 2010 at Thomas Weisel Partners and Banc of America Securities before joining Jefferies in 2010, building over a decade of experience in equity research. He is FINRA registered and holds active securities licenses as confirmed by his regulatory profile.

    Alexander Slagle's questions to RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS (RRGB) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS (RRGB) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle inquired about near-term actions to improve the guest experience beyond remodels, the cadence of incremental marketing spend for the second half of the year, and the reason for the lower year-end target for company-owned restaurants.

    Answer

    President and CEO Dave Pace described a holistic approach including facility investments and new technology. He also clarified that the lower unit count target is due to successful early lease terminations, noting that performance improvements have actually removed about 20 restaurants from the potential closure list. CFO Todd Wilson detailed that H2 marketing spend will be split evenly between Q3 and Q4, representing a year-over-year increase in both quarters.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS (RRGB) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies LLC inquired about the high-level strategic shifts or changes in focus resulting from the leadership transition to Dave Pace, and also asked what restaurant operators are currently requesting most in terms of support and investment.

    Answer

    President & CEO David Pace and Former CEO G.J. Hart emphasized a smooth transition and philosophical alignment, stating the core strategy is not changing dramatically. Pace outlined his key priorities: maintaining operational execution, driving traffic growth, strengthening the balance sheet, and reinvesting in restaurants. Both executives noted that operators are asking for continued investment in facilities, technology (specifically server handhelds), and effective marketing to drive traffic.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS (RRGB) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle inquired about Red Robin's current level of promotional discounting compared to pre-COVID levels and what management considers an appropriate level for the brand. He also asked for the annual EBITDA impact of the 70 underperforming restaurants.

    Answer

    Executive Todd Wilson explained that prior to the North Star plan (in 2021-2022), discounts were around 4% of sales. He noted the recent increase is a strategic choice to drive trial now that the guest experience has been significantly upgraded. Wilson also quantified that the 70 underperforming units represent a trailing 12-month restaurant-level loss of over $6 million, creating a 215 basis point drag on total company restaurant-level operating profit.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to BRINKER INTERNATIONAL (EAT) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to BRINKER INTERNATIONAL (EAT) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies inquired about the sales mix opportunity for the newly upgraded Ribs platform and the strategy to drive traffic and frequency with this item.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hochman stated that since the upgrade, rib incidents are already up over 20% without advertising, driven by menu merchandising and product quality. The plan is to turn on digital marketing in Q2 to leverage the 'wow' factor of the product to drive traffic. While not expected to be as large as burgers, he sees a significant opportunity to grow the category.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to BRINKER INTERNATIONAL (EAT) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked about any new operational dynamics emerging from the sustained high traffic volumes and what restaurant teams are identifying as their most pressing needs.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hochman identified continued operational simplification and equipment upgrades to handle volume as key needs. He mentioned a 'Heart of House 2030' project looking at investments like faster TurboChef ovens and increased fryer capacity. CFO Mika Ware added that they are closely monitoring the labor model and have added positions like bussers to ensure service levels are maintained with higher traffic.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Performance Food Group (PFGC) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to Performance Food Group (PFGC) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies inquired about the key drivers behind the record EBITDA margins across PFG's divisions, including the impact of inventory holding gains. He also asked for clarification on the reported stability in trends, given the visible uncertainty among restaurant operators.

    Answer

    COO Scott McPherson attributed the strong margins primarily to favorable sales mix and excellent OpEx leverage across all three segments. CFO Patrick Hatcher noted that inventory gains were a slight benefit in Q4 but are not factored into the 2026 guidance. Regarding trends, McPherson acknowledged a 'haves and have-nots' environment among restaurants but pointed to improving overall traffic and PFG's success in partnering with growing chains as sources of stability.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Performance Food Group (PFGC) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies sought clarification on improving trends in the Convenience segment, the impact of a tough Q4 comparison, and any notable differences in volume dynamics between chain and independent restaurants.

    Answer

    CEO George Holm clarified that the Convenience segment's improvement stems from market penetration and new business wins, not a recovery in the underlying industry. COO Scott McPherson added that despite a difficult prior-year comparison, the segment's underlying EBITDA trends are strong. George Holm also noted that recent trends show independent restaurants performing better than chains, with casual dining remaining particularly challenged.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Performance Food Group (PFGC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle inquired about the potential impact of new immigration enforcement actions on the business and the broader industry. He also asked for an update on new restaurant formation trends.

    Answer

    CFO Patrick Hatcher noted that all PFG employees are documented and they don't foresee a direct impact on the company. COO Scott McPherson added that the company's workforce is in great shape. CEO George Holm commented that he sees continued growth in independent restaurants as closed chain locations are reoccupied, suggesting a healthy environment for new customer acquisition.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Performance Food Group (PFGC) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked about the financial magnitude of the recent hurricanes' impact, the factors that allowed the Cheney acquisition to close so quickly, and the company's visibility on cheese inflation.

    Answer

    CEO George Holm reported that the financial impact from the hurricanes was not material, as business from remaining open restaurants offset losses from closures. He credited the swift closing of the Cheney deal to PFG's complementary, specialized business footprint in Florida, which streamlined the process. On inflation, Holm noted that while cheese prices remain elevated year-over-year, they have been declining sequentially for the past couple of months.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL (PZZA) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL (PZZA) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies asked about key learnings from top-performing carryout markets that could be applied across the system to drive growth.

    Answer

    President & CEO Todd Penegor highlighted a two-pronged approach. First, a national message creates a halo effect for carryout. Second, success is driven locally through co-ops with compelling offers, friendly in-store service, and active community engagement to connect with customers around key local events. He noted that seeing franchisees "hustling" in their communities drives significant growth.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SYSCO (SYY) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to SYSCO (SYY) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies LLC questioned the outlook for the international segment, asking if its recent strong growth momentum is expected to moderate and what specific drivers provide visibility for continued strength.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hourican asserted that international success is expected to continue, not moderate, driven by adding sales resources in key metro areas, deploying technology like 'Sysco Your Way', and expanding strategic sourcing globally. CFO Kenny Cheung added that there is no structural barrier to international margins reaching U.S. levels and noted that recent acquisitions in Ireland and Great Britain are performing ahead of their deal models.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SYSCO (SYY) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies inquired about the investments in Sysco's local business sales headcount and sought tangible evidence of their effectiveness, such as organic case growth or market share gains.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hourican stated that sales headcount is expected to grow by approximately 4% year-over-year. He pointed to stronger performance in March and April and a record new customer win rate as proof points. He noted these gains are currently offset by a headwind from higher sales consultant turnover in the first half of the year, which he expects to become a tailwind in fiscal 2026. CFO Kenny Cheung added that many new hires are now reaching their peak productivity phase, which should benefit Q4 local volume.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SYSCO (SYY) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies inquired about the long-term international margin opportunity and its expected trajectory. He also asked for clarification on the treatment of a sale-leaseback gain within adjusted earnings.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hourican expressed high confidence in the international segment, stating it will be a key growth engine for years with no structural barriers to margin expansion, driven by initiatives like assortment expansion and M&A. CFO Kenny Cheung framed sale-leasebacks as a routine part of their capital allocation strategy, used to redeploy capital from certain assets to fund higher-return growth projects, consistent with their focus on ROIC.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SYSCO (SYY) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies inquired about the U.S. gross margin, asking about the impact of product and customer mix dynamics and whether external factors like competition or consumer trade-downs are intensifying.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hourican identified three primary drivers for the nominal gross margin decline: customer mix (stronger national sales), timing of strategic sourcing benefits, and a slight dip in Sysco brand penetration. CFO Kenny Cheung emphasized that most of the expected margin improvement in the second half will come from controllable internal actions, such as specialty growth and logistics optimization, rather than market lift, underpinning their confidence in the full-year outlook.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to DOMINOS PIZZA (DPZ) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to DOMINOS PIZZA (DPZ) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies LLC followed up on the supply chain topic, asking about the sustainability of current margin levels, particularly considering historical Q3 seasonality.

    Answer

    CFO Sandeep Reddy confirmed that the full-year outlook for slightly improved supply chain margins remains unchanged. While acknowledging some seasonal cost pressures in Q3, he stated that the year-over-year trends should remain consistent with the full-year guidance and that the performance in the first half is indicative of their expectations for the back half.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to DOMINOS PIZZA (DPZ) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked if the DoorDash partnership's focus on suburban and rural markets implies new development opportunities or changes to delivery efficiency if drivers must travel further.

    Answer

    Chief Executive Officer Russell Weiner stated they will not extend delivery radiuses, as maintaining hot, consistent delivery is critical. He explained that DoorDash complements Uber's urban strength by being stronger in suburban and rural areas, giving Domino's a more uniform presence across all markets.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to DOMINOS PIZZA (DPZ) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies asked if the negative transaction trend in the first-party delivery channel alters the company's strategic focus. He questioned if it makes more sense to double down on the growing carryout business if first-party delivery continues to weaken.

    Answer

    CEO Russell Weiner clarified that the 'Hungry for MORE' strategy is to compete in the full delivery segment, which includes both first-party and third-party aggregator channels. While the company will always lean into carryout, which is a larger market than delivery, the goal is to be a comprehensive pizza company that competes for every occasion, including all forms of delivery and carryout, both in the U.S. and internationally.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SpartanNash (SPTN) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to SpartanNash (SPTN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies LLC asked about the consumer response to ethnic store conversions, the recent performance of newly acquired stores, and any new learnings or incremental opportunities identified from these acquisitions.

    Answer

    President and CEO Tony Sarsam stated that the Hispanic stores have performed very well, leading the portfolio in top and bottom-line performance, with a recent conversion showing double-digit sales growth. EVP & CFO Jason Monaco added that the strategy is to 'crawl, walk, run,' expanding from their strong base in Omaha to new geographies. Regarding recent acquisitions like Fresh Encounter, Monaco noted they are delivering largely according to plan and integration is proceeding well.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SpartanNash (SPTN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies LLC asked about the consumer response to ethnic store conversions, the performance of recently acquired stores, and any new learnings or incremental opportunities identified from these acquisitions.

    Answer

    President and CEO Tony Sarsam stated that the Hispanic stores have led the portfolio in both sales and profit, with the newest conversion showing double-digit sales growth. EVP & CFO Jason Monaco added that the recent acquisitions are delivering largely according to plan and that the company is taking a 'crawl, walk, run' approach to expanding its successful ethnic store model into new geographies.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SpartanNash (SPTN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies LLC asked about the consumer response to the ethnic store conversions and sought insights on the performance of recently acquired stores, including any new learnings or incremental opportunities.

    Answer

    President and CEO Tony Sarsam stated that the Hispanic stores have been top performers and the latest conversion is already seeing double-digit sales growth. EVP & CFO Jason Monaco added that the strategy is to expand from their strong base in Omaha, noting that remodels typically yield double-digit revenue growth. Monaco also confirmed that the recent Fresh Encounter and Markham acquisitions are performing largely in line with expectations.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SpartanNash (SPTN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies LLC asked about the consumer response to the ethnic store conversions, the performance of recently acquired stores, and any new learnings or incremental opportunities identified from these acquisitions.

    Answer

    President and CEO Tony Sarsam reported that the Hispanic stores have led the company's portfolio in both top-line and bottom-line performance, with a recent conversion showing double-digit sales growth. EVP & CFO Jason Monaco added that recent acquisitions like Fresh Encounter are delivering largely according to plan as they are integrated into the SpartanNash family.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SpartanNash (SPTN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle from Jefferies asked about the timing and rationale behind the two recent acquisitions and the outlook for the Amazon Fresh business, particularly its potential inclusion in the 2025 forecast.

    Answer

    President and CEO Tony Sarsam responded that the timing for the acquisitions was opportune for the sellers, with whom SpartanNash has long-standing relationships. He emphasized that M&A is a key growth lever in a slow-growth industry. Regarding Amazon, Sarsam noted the business is stabilizing after previous declines but clarified that the company is not forecasting significant growth from that channel in its future plans.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to SpartanNash (SPTN) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle inquired about the new Customer Value Proposition (CVP) pilot program, including its rollout timing, initial results, and the potential to extend its concepts to the wholesale segment. He also asked for more details on the growth of own-brand penetration, particularly the performance of the premium Finest Reserve line.

    Answer

    President and CEO Tony Sarsam explained that the CVP pilot is in its very early stages, having launched in one store less than a month ago, with a second store launching shortly. He noted that early returns are positive and the learnings will be rolled out more broadly in 2025 and are considered "absolutely applicable" to wholesale customers. Regarding own brands, Mr. Sarsam stated that their success, including the strong performance of the new Finest Reserve line, is tied to meeting consumer demand for both value and indulgence, which is driving penetration growth.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to US Foods Holding (USFD) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to US Foods Holding (USFD) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked about the impressive gross profit per case momentum, specifically the progress on cost of goods vendor negotiations and how potential tariffs might affect them. He also questioned the Q1 increase in OpEx per case and the outlook for its normalization.

    Answer

    CFO Dirk Locascio expressed confidence in achieving the $260 million COGS savings target, noting that suppliers remain eager to partner with a growing distributor and negotiations have not slowed. He attributed the temporary increase in OpEx per case to weather-related inefficiencies in Q1, such as lost shipping days, and reiterated that gross profit per case growth continues to significantly outpace OpEx growth.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to US Foods Holding (USFD) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies asked about the key drivers that could support further private label expansion in 2025. He also requested an update on the integration progress and synergy realization from recent acquisitions like IWC.

    Answer

    CEO David Flitman attributed the strong private label momentum to normalized supply chains, seller confidence, and innovative product launches through the 'Scoop' program, which he expects to continue. CFO Dirk Locascio added that recent acquisitions are progressing well with their integration into US Foods' systems and are largely performing as expected.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked for an expansion on the softer holiday and special occasion dining trends and questioned why this consumer behavior was occurring. He also requested a more granular comparison of same-store sales and traffic performance versus key peers for Outback and Carrabba's.

    Answer

    CEO Mike Spanos clarified that holiday results were decent but simply fell short of internal expectations. He identified households earning under $100,000 as the most pressured consumer segment, noting a downtick in alcohol sales. Regarding market share, Spanos attributed the underperformance to the cumulative effect of needing to fix the entire value proposition—food, value, and consistency—stating the company is in the early stages of a multi-year turnaround.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. asked for the timeline of key operational changes under the 'simplify the agenda' priority and inquired if Q1 2025 brand performance trends would mirror those from Q4 2024.

    Answer

    CEO Mike Spanos detailed that leadership changes and the Brazil refranchising are complete. He noted that menu reductions of 10-15% for most brands will be done by May, with Outback's larger reduction taking more time. The Ziosk rollout will finish by the end of April. Spanos also confirmed that the sales trends by brand seen in Q4 2024 are expected to continue into Q1 2025.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle inquired about what new CEO Mike Spanos found most surprising or noteworthy from his initial conversations with restaurant operators, and whether the company anticipates making investments in food quality, marketing, or labor that could impact margins in 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Mike Spanos shared that operators have been consistent in their feedback, requesting simplification, a return to the core guest experience, and improvements to center-of-the-plate items. Regarding future investments, Spanos outlined a framework prioritizing operational execution first, followed by redeploying resources and reducing non-revenue-driving costs. He stated that any new investments would be sharply targeted with clear returns to ensure revenue outgrows costs sustainably, but deferred specific 2025 margin guidance until the February call.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to BJs RESTAURANTS (BJRI) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to BJs RESTAURANTS (BJRI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies inquired about the drivers behind the strong margin performance, particularly from simplification initiatives, and asked about the dynamics of the check and mix components.

    Answer

    CFO Tom Houdek explained that roughly half of the 100 bps margin improvement came from sales leverage, with the remainder from sustainable labor efficiencies. He noted these improvements are factored into the updated guidance. President and Chief Concept Officer Lyle Tick added that simplification is an ongoing process, highlighting POS enhancements that improve accuracy and efficiency. Regarding the check, Houdek cited the Pizookie Meal Deal and lapping a strong menu launch as drivers of negative mix, but expects the check component to be closer to flat moving forward.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to BJs RESTAURANTS (BJRI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of BTIG asked for clarification on the 2025 restaurant-level margin implications from the profit guidance and inquired about the company's pricing strategy relative to inflation.

    Answer

    CFO Thomas Houdek stated that the guidance implies margin expansion, driven by initiatives in food cost, labor, and O&O, not just pricing. He noted that traffic is the main comp driver, and the company has intentionally underpriced inflation to boost value scores. Interim CEO Carl Richmond added that the focus is on growing absolute profit dollars, leveraging the high-volume potential of their large restaurant boxes.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to BJs RESTAURANTS (BJRI) leadership • Q3 2023

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked for clarity on the capital allocation strategy for the upcoming year, particularly the balance between new restaurant openings and remodels, given the commentary on inconsistent new unit returns.

    Answer

    Interim CEO Brad Richmond explained that while new units are vital for long-term growth, the immediate priority is improving same-restaurant sales. He stated that the pace of new openings in 2025 would likely not change dramatically as the company refines its site selection and market strategy, with a potential acceleration in 2026 or 2027. CFO Tom Houdek highlighted two recent, very successful new openings and confirmed that capital will also be allocated to share repurchases. Richmond emphasized that these openings provide key learnings for their future growth strategy.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Chefs' Warehouse (CHEF) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to Chefs' Warehouse (CHEF) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies inquired about the potential impact of tariffs on imported goods and whether recent stock market volatility was affecting demand in the upscale dining sector.

    Answer

    Christopher Pappas, Founder, Chairman and CEO, stated that the company is prepared for potential tariffs, noting that they represent a small percentage of the overall business and costs can be passed on or mitigated through a diversified supply chain. He added that they have not observed any significant impact on demand, as their high-end clientele appears more insulated from economic shifts and it remains difficult to get reservations at good restaurants.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Chefs' Warehouse (CHEF) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked about the margin opportunities for 2025, questioning whether gross margin or OpEx presented a greater opportunity for favorability. He also inquired about the food cost inflation outlook and whether the Hardie's cross-sell impact would continue to the same degree.

    Answer

    CEO Christopher Pappas and CFO James Leddy responded. Pappas explained that the goal is to incrementally improve operating leverage and EBITDA margin by 20-25 basis points annually, driven by projects impacting both gross profit and OpEx. He also noted that the Hardie's cross-sell growth will continue, and any outsized impact on reported inflation will be called out. Leddy added that the company's evolution into a 'total solution' provider will cause mix fluctuations, emphasizing the focus on the spread between operating costs and gross profit dollars.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Chefs' Warehouse (CHEF) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked for an update on the Hardie's acquisition, specifically its dilutive impact on EBITDA margins and progress on cross-selling, and also inquired about customer churn levels amid industry price shopping.

    Answer

    CFO Jim Leddy stated that the Hardie's integration is expected to contribute to future margin improvement and currently dilutes overall EBITDA margin by 20-25 basis points, which they aim to recover. CEO Chris Pappas attributed strong performance to market share gains from long-term investments, which allows them to thrive in challenging environments. He noted that gross margins are up, demonstrating that customers value their reliability and service, which drives cross-selling and mitigates churn.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to JACK IN THE BOX (JACK) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to JACK IN THE BOX (JACK) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle asked for more detail on the 'back to basics' operational approach for Jack in the Box in 2025, particularly concerning digital execution.

    Answer

    CEO Darin Harris explained the focus is on improving the guest experience, especially by creating a frictionless digital pickup process. Key initiatives include enhancing order accuracy for both digital and drive-thru channels to reduce guest alerts. CFO Brian Scott added that these operational improvements are underpinned by foundational technology investments like the new app, loyalty program, and POS system.

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    Alexander Slagle's questions to Wendy's (WEN) leadership

    Alexander Slagle's questions to Wendy's (WEN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alexander Slagle of Jefferies asked for specifics on what Wendy's did differently to drive such high engagement with the SpongeBob collaboration, particularly regarding digital or social media tactics.

    Answer

    CEO Kirk Tanner attributed the success to a combination of factors working in concert: a great menu foundation, a strong collaboration partner, and effective execution across all channels. He specifically noted that their 'social game' was very impactful and that the growing digital business provided an elevated platform for the promotion.

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