Sign in

    Jeff Farmer • Gordon Haskett Research Advisors

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Brinker International Inc (EAT) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Brinker International Inc (EAT) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer of Gordon Haskett Research Advisors requested more detail on the expected same-store sales components (traffic, pricing, mix) for Chili's in fiscal 2026 and the company's outlook for casual dining segment traffic.

    Answer

    CFO Mika Ware detailed the fiscal 2026 outlook, noting pricing will be closer to 3%, starting near 4% in H1 and tapering. Mix is expected to be relatively flat, with any positive mix being upside. The company plans for positive traffic throughout the year, continuing to significantly outperform the broader casual dining industry.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Texas Roadhouse Inc (TXRH) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Texas Roadhouse Inc (TXRH) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer from Gordon Haskett Research Advisors requested an update on the Texas Roadhouse mobile app, asking about the number of active users, its growth rate, and how the company leverages its customer database.

    Answer

    CEO Gerald Morgan explained that while he didn't have specific user numbers, a large percentage of guests use the app for to-go orders and the waitlist. He highlighted recent upgrades, such as adding more food pictures, and emphasized that the app's ease of use, combined with improved operational execution at the restaurant level, has been a key driver of off-premise success.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Texas Roadhouse Inc (TXRH) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer asked for any surprising insights or key takeaways from the recent Managing Partner Conference regarding restaurant operations or the health of the consumer.

    Answer

    CEO Gerald Morgan reported that the feedback from operators was overwhelmingly positive and confident. He said the key takeaway was that operators are 'all in' on executing the fundamentals of legendary food and service, which they believe is the key to navigating any macro concerns and continuing to drive the business forward.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Dutch Bros Inc (BROS) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Dutch Bros Inc (BROS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer of Gordon Haskett Research Advisors asked about Dutch Bros' value positioning and how it competes for value-focused consumers, a common theme in the current environment.

    Answer

    CEO Christine Barone stated that they are in a "fantastic position" on value, a perception they continuously test with customers. She pointed to their strategy of taking minimal price this year, the generous beverage sizes, and the ability for customers to customize freely as key components of their value proposition. She concluded that this, combined with the positive service experience, is what customers are ultimately looking for.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Bloomin' Brands Inc (BLMN) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Bloomin' Brands Inc (BLMN) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer of Gordon Haskett Research Advisors asked for key findings from the initial 14 Outback test restaurants and questioned what drove strengthening traffic momentum throughout the quarter.

    Answer

    CEO Mike Spanos shared that the tests revealed the brand's high potential and the cumulative positive impact of improving service, steak quality, value, and ambiance. He attributed the strengthening traffic to favorable comparisons against prior-year promotions and, importantly, more consistent operational execution by restaurant teams, which is improving guest return frequency.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Shake Shack Inc (SHAK) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Shake Shack Inc (SHAK) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer asked when the standardized performance scorecard was rolled out and what actions are taken for underperforming units. He also questioned the opportunity to improve comp performance in the New York City and Northeast regions.

    Answer

    CEO Rob Lynch stated the scorecard was rolled out late last year and is used in a disciplined, weekly review process to identify opportunities and develop leaders. Regarding regional performance, he cautioned that while NYC/Northeast have lower comps, they are the company's highest AUV and margin restaurants, attributing the slower growth more to macro factors than operational issues.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Shake Shack Inc (SHAK) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Jeff Farmer of Gordon Haskett questioned the 3-year guidance, noting that low to mid-teens EBITDA growth implies only modest margin expansion over low-teens revenue growth, and asked if this reflects conservatism or planned investments.

    Answer

    CEO Rob Lynch confirmed it is due to being in 'investment mode.' He stressed that opening new Shacks is the #1 value unlock, which requires increased G&A for development teams, real estate, and construction management. CFO Katie Fogertey added context, noting that 4/5 of 2024's revenue growth came from new units, not comp sales. They believe investing in the infrastructure to support this growth is essential to reaching their long-term potential and maximizing returns.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Cheesecake Factory Inc (CAKE) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Cheesecake Factory Inc (CAKE) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer questioned the customer response to the February menu innovation and asked whether consumers are aware of and reacting to the new, lower-priced menu items.

    Answer

    David Gordon, President, explained that new menu items are featured on a separate card to ensure visibility and that the previous menu change showed good stickiness. He anticipates the new value-oriented items, like 'bites', will resonate well, potentially driving incremental add-on orders rather than just cannibalizing existing sales, similar to the past success of the 'small plates' category.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Cheesecake Factory Inc (CAKE) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer of Gordon Haskett asked for quantification of the year-over-year improvement in staff and manager retention and whether a sizable incremental opportunity for improvement remains.

    Answer

    President David Gordon quantified the retention metrics, stating that Q1 management attrition was in the mid-teens and staff attrition was between 60-70%, both best-in-class. He indicated the goal for the remainder of the year is to maintain these historically strong levels rather than expecting significant further improvement, leveraging the company's strong culture as a competitive advantage.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc (PLAY) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc (PLAY) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer of Gordon Haskett Research Advisors asked for more detail on the drivers of the improved same-store sales trend and requested specifics about the new store manager incentive program.

    Answer

    CFO Darin Harper attributed the sales improvement primarily to increased traffic, strong weekend performance, and higher F&B attachment from the Eat & Play Combo. Interim CEO Kevin Sheehan described the new manager incentive plan as a best-in-class program with a rolling three-year, sales-driven long-term incentive designed to make managers think like owners.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc (CBRL) leadership

    Jeff Farmer's questions to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc (CBRL) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Jeff Farmer from Gordon Haskett Research Advisors inquired about the magnitude of the 'strong start' to Q4 relative to Q3's +1% same-store sales and asked for specifics on the expense management actions taken during the third quarter.

    Answer

    SVP and CFO Craig Pommels explained that sales trends improved sequentially from a soft February through March and April, with the positive momentum continuing into Q4 driven by the Campfire promotion. Regarding expenses, he noted that discretionary G&A spending was tightened in Q3, and Q4 G&A levels are expected to normalize to be more in line with Q1 and Q2.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI