APPAREL / RETAIL
November Auto Sales Mixed
OC’s automakers reported mixed sales results in November.
Fresh Marketing for El Pollo Loco
Costa Mesa-based El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LOCO) named Hector Muñoz chief marketing officer ahead of an expected spring 2019 relaunch of the brand.
Taco Bell Bangkok in Early 2019
Taco Bell’s Thailand franchisee plans to open its first location in Bangkok by early next year, local news reports said.
AutoWeb Q3 Revenue Down, Stock Slides
AutoWeb Inc. (Nasdaq: AUTO), an Irvine-based marketing firm for automakers and dealers, reported a third quarter loss of $18 million, or $1.41 per share, compared to net income of $69,000 a year ago.
Habit Names Marriott Creative Exec to Board
Habit Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: HABT) in Irvine added Karin Timpone to its board of directors, which now has eight members.
El Pollo Loco 3Q Sales, Profit Rise
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LOCO) in Costa Mesa reported third quarter net income of $6.8 million on revenue of $106.7 million, compared with a loss of $4 million on revenue of $101.2 million in the same period a year ago.
October Auto Sales Mixed
Sales by OC automakers were mixed in October with three of the five local companies reporting an increase.
Taco Bell Strong; Yum Mixed
Irvine-based Taco Bell Corp. sales rose 8% to $2.6 billion in its most recent quarter, making it the top-performing chain in Louisville-based parent company Yum Brands Inc. (Nasdaq: YUM) portfolio for the period.
Duck, Duck Donuts
Two down, three to go: Duck Donuts plans five locations in Orange County; two are open, in Huntington Beach and Irvine, the latter at Trade Food Hall.
Habit Revenue, Swings to Loss on Charge
Habit Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: HABT) in Irvine reported a $600,000 net loss, including a one-time charge, on revenue of about $105 million in its most recent quarter, compared with $400,000 in net income on revenue of $85 million, year-over-year.
BJ’s Revenue, Income Up
BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: BJRI) in Huntington Beach earned nearly $9 million in net income on $270 million in revenue in its most recent quarter, up 257% and 10% respectively.
Habit Taps QSR Vet for Brand Post
Habit Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: HABT) in Irvine named Iwona Alter chief brand officer; she joins the fast-casual burger chain December 10 from San Diego-based Jack in the Box Inc. (Nasdaq: JACK).
Boot Barn Earnings Beat
Work and Western boot and apparel retailer Boot Barn Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: BOOT) reported net income of $4.5 million, or 16 cents per share, beating analyst predictions of 9 cents per share, in its second quarter earnings report Thursday.
Chipotle Revenue Up
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG) in Newport Beach said revenue increased nearly 9% to $1.2 billion and adjusted net income was 60% higher to about $60 million in its most recent quarter.
Del Taco Ratchets Guidance Down
Del Taco Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: TACO) lowered full-year guidance in its most-recent quarterly report. Revenue and net income grew on a 1.4% increase in systemwide same-store sales, with franchised restaurant comps growing faster than company-owned locations.
