Financial Perspectives on Restaurant Dynamics & Distribution with Michael Halen, Senior Restaurant Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence

Today, I have the opportunity to welcome Michael Halen, a Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Restaurant & Foodservice Analyst who researches and publishes analyses of over eighteen publicly traded restaurant companies as well as the major foodservice distributors. In this episode, Mike gives us a rundown of the state of the consumer market as we also explore the differences between franchised and company-owned chains, emphasizing the franchisors' role in marketing, site selection, and operational support. We cover labor management challenges, wage increases, and the gig economy's impact on staff retention. Additionally, we examine the food supply chain, focusing on strategies major distributors such as Sysco employ to adapt to market demands and varying economic conditions. Join us as we provide a blend of analytical insights and real-world experiences, offer a nuanced perspective on the restaurant industry's current trends and challenges, and provide proficient tips and advice our listeners can take home and quickly implementThis is one you do not want to miss. Connect With the Host:David Maloni’s LinkedInConnect With Our Guest:Michael Halen’s LinkedInMichael Halen’s TwitterChoppin’ It Up by Bloomberg IntelligenceMichael’s emailConnect with Datum FS: https://datumfs.com/Timestamps01:53 - Welcome To Farm To Fork, Mike02:39 - Mike’s His Role At Bloomberg Intelligence03:59 - Mike's Workflow, Creating Financial Models And Providing Research For Institutional Investors07:03 - Reasons Why Institutional Investors And Hedge Funds Invest In The Restaurant Business10:02 - What Is Long And Short Investing?12:22 - Consumer Health, Economic Indicators, And The Impact Of Inflation On Spending19:54 - Assessment Of Franchisors' Health And Handling Higher Running Costs21:53 - The Difference Between Franchised And Corporate-Owned Restaurants30:16 - Mike Explains The Impact Of The Store Ownership Model32:48 - Mike Emphasizes The Importance Of Good Company Culture34:40 - How First Watch And Texas Roadhouse Are Thriving In A Post-Pandemic Economy39:03 - Older Franchisees And Innovation Vs. Newer Franchisees And Industry Consolidation45:50 - Challenges With Rising Costs, Pricing Strategies, And Cost-Saving Measures For Operators52:09 - The Impact Of The Gig Economy On Restaurant Employment54:33 - Mike’s Comments On Sysco's Strategies, Market Share And Expansion Strategies1:03:12 - Wrapping UpI’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more.