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    Jaafar Mestari • BNP Paribas

    Jaafar Mestari's questions to InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) leadership

    Jaafar Mestari's questions to InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) leadership • H1 2025

    Question

    Jaafar Mestari from Exane BNP Paribas questioned how fee margins would perform in a flat RevPAR environment and sought clarity on Americas group booking trends, asking if the softness was due to short-lead time bookings or cancellations.

    Answer

    CFO Michael Glover explained that fee margins would still see strong growth even in a lower RevPAR environment, driven by system growth and sustainable cost savings, with a projected 1-2% cost reduction for the full year. CEO Elie Maalouf added that the company is investing in high-growth opportunities while managing costs. Regarding bookings, Maalouf attributed the Q2 downshift in all business segments, including group, to earlier market turbulence but noted the outlook is now more constructive and stable.

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    Jaafar Mestari's questions to InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) leadership • H1 2025

    Question

    Jaafar Mestari of BNP Paribas questioned how fee margins would perform in a flat RevPAR environment and sought clarification on Americas group bookings, reconciling previous positive commentary with recent occupancy trends.

    Answer

    CFO Michael Glover detailed that the group's 390 basis point fee margin improvement was driven by 130 bps from ancillaries and 260 bps from operating leverage, expecting strong full-year margin growth even in a low RevPAR environment. CEO Elie Maalouf attributed the Q2 slowdown in Americas group bookings to market turbulence and calendar shifts, but noted the forward-looking outlook is now more constructive and stable.

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    Jaafar Mestari's questions to Aramark (ARMK) leadership

    Jaafar Mestari's questions to Aramark (ARMK) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Jaafar Mestari of Exane BNP Paribas pressed for details on the wide Q4 guidance, asking what scenario could lead to the high end of the organic growth range and if high revenue would necessarily mean lower profits due to startup costs.

    Answer

    CFO Jim Tarangelo explained the wide Q4 outlook is due to variables like the potential conversion of large new accounts and MLB playoff performance. CEO John Zillmer reiterated confidence in the full range, stating that while revenue and profit are linked, achieving high-end revenue does not automatically imply low-end profitability.

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    Jaafar Mestari's questions to Aramark (ARMK) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Jaafar Mestari asked about the credibility of external risks like university funding cuts and, conversely, opportunities from domestic production shifts. He also questioned if there were any recent slowdowns or delays in new business signings due to uncertainty.

    Answer

    CEO John Zillmer characterized increased U.S. manufacturing as a long-term opportunity and noted that cost pressures in healthcare are a long-standing dynamic. He confirmed that the sales process and close rates remain consistent with historical norms, with no significant delays, expressing high confidence in achieving the full-year 4-5% net new business target.

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    Jaafar Mestari's questions to Aramark (ARMK) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Jaafar Mestari asked if H2 momentum could begin in Q2, how 2025 compares to an average year for contract renewals, and whether the comprehensive Arizona State University win was new information or already factored into the outlook.

    Answer

    CEO John Zillmer clarified the ASU win was both a major retention and a new business award, with confirmation received just the day before the call. He also noted that rebid activity is lower this year than last. CFO James Tarangelo stated that Q2's revenue cadence would be similar to Q1's, with the planned acceleration beginning in Q3.

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    Jaafar Mestari's questions to Aramark (ARMK) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Jaafar Mestari asked about the timing of the $1.4 billion in new business signings in FY24, the reasons for a slight decline in food retention, and the drivers behind the positive like-for-like volume growth assumption in the FY25 guidance.

    Answer

    CFO Jim Tarangelo stated the new business signings were spread relatively evenly throughout FY24. CEO John Zillmer attributed the retention dip primarily to the major facilities contract exits and one significant international loss, not a broader trend. Tarangelo explained the positive volume outlook is based on continued elevated base business performance, which is trending above historical norms.

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    Jaafar Mestari's questions to Krispy Kreme Inc (DNUT) leadership

    Jaafar Mestari's questions to Krispy Kreme Inc (DNUT) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Jaafar Mestari confirmed the Q1 EBITDA guidance, asking if it implied growth in subsequent quarters, and inquired about the type of partners sought for international refranchising, including the possibility of local IPOs.

    Answer

    CFO Jeremiah Ashukian confirmed the pressured Q1 EBITDA guide was due to the Insomnia sale, cyber impacts, expansion costs, and consumer softness, with sequential improvement expected through 2025. CEO Josh Charlesworth described the ideal international partners as scaled, local master franchisees with strong operational and financial backing, similar to existing partners. He added that while nothing is ruled out, there are no immediate plans for local IPOs.

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