Michael Costa, ProFood World Journalist Profile

Articles

Tariffs aren’t impacting Monster Beverage … yet

3 days ago | foodbusinessnews.net | Michael Costa

CORONA, CALIF. — During its 2025 first-quarter earnings call, Monster Beverage Corp. made clear that tariffs aren’t currently affecting the company’s results, due to a combination of localized production for Monster products and hedging strategies on materials such as aluminum. “The impact of tariffs on our operating results was immaterial,” said Rodney Sacks, chairman of the board, co-chief executive officer, Monster.
Wendy’s seeks to increase traffic through LTO collaborations

6 days ago | bakingbusiness.com | Michael Costa

DUBLIN, OHIO — To help counter weak first-quarter customer traffic — part of an industry-wide slowdown in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry — Wendy’s Co. is partnering with Takis, Mondelez and Kellanova for co-branded menu items, hoping to spur sales based on the success of the company’s collaboration with Girl Scouts for its Thin Mint Frosty in February.
Wendy’s collaborating with Mondelez, Kellanova, Takis in 2025

1 week ago | foodbusinessnews.net | Michael Costa

DUBLIN, OHIO — To help counter weak first-quarter customer traffic — part of an industry-wide slowdown in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry — Wendy’s Co. is partnering with Takis, Mondelez and Kellanova for co-branded menu items, hoping to spur sales based on the success of the company’s collaboration with Girl Scouts for its Thin Mint Frosty in February.
Hershey bracing for tariff, cocoa impacts

1 week ago | bakingbusiness.com | Michael Costa

HERSHEY, PA. — The Hershey Co. is seeking an exemption from the federal government to help mitigate tariff impacts on its business — particularly with cocoa — that could cost the company $20 million in the second quarter, and $200 million later this year. “The unmitigated impact could be up to $100 million per quarter for quarter three and quarter four,” said Steven Voskuil, chief financial officer, senior vice president, Hershey.
McDonald’s struggles with customer traffic during Q1

1 week ago | meatpoultry.com | Michael Costa

CHICAGO — Comparable restaurant sales at McDonald’s Corp. fell 3.6% in the United States during the first quarter of 2025, continuing the company’s struggle to increase customer traffic in the face of economic uncertainty and cautious consumer spending.
Tariffs could cost Hershey more than $200 million

1 week ago | foodbusinessnews.net | Michael Costa

HERSHEY, PA. — The Hershey Co. is seeking an exemption from the federal government to help mitigate tariff impacts on its business — particularly with cocoa — that could cost the company $20 million in the second quarter, and $200 million later this year. “The unmitigated impact could be up to $100 million per quarter for quarter three and quarter four,” said Steven Voskuil, chief financial officer, senior vice president, Hershey.
Customer traffic continues to drop at McDonald’s

1 week ago | foodbusinessnews.net | Michael Costa

CHICAGO — Comparable restaurant sales at McDonald’s Corp. fell 3.6% in the United States during the first quarter of 2025, continuing the company’s struggle to increase customer traffic in the face of economic uncertainty and cautious consumer spending.
Decreased consumer spending threatens Chipotle’s bottom line

2 weeks ago | meatpoultry.com | Michael Costa

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — Despite an increase in first-quarter revenue compared to the same period last year, Chipotle Mexican Grill has seen a drop in comparable sales at its restaurants, which the company attributes to a continued slowdown in consumer spending. “In February, we began to see that the elevated level of uncertainty felt by consumers is starting to impact their spending habits,” said Scott Boatwright, chief executive officer, Chipotle.
‘Challenging’ coffee sales continue for Keurig Dr Pepper

2 weeks ago | foodbusinessnews.net | Michael Costa

BURLINGTON, MASS. — A continued drop in coffee sales clouded an otherwise excellent 2025 first quarter for Keurig Dr Pepper. The company’s overall net sales increased by 4.8% compared with the first quarter last year, but coffee sales were down 3.7% due to uncertainty around tariffs and pricing volatility for the commodity, combined with consumer caution around spending. The company ended 2024 with a full-year 2.6% net sales decline in coffee.
Consumer uncertainty impacting Chipotle’s bottom line

2 weeks ago | foodbusinessnews.net | Michael Costa

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — Despite an increase in first-quarter revenue compared to the same period last year, Chipotle Mexican Grill has seen a drop in comparable sales at its restaurants, which the company attributes to a continued slowdown in consumer spending. “In February, we began to see that the elevated level of uncertainty felt by consumers is starting to impact their spending habits,” said Scott Boatwright, chief executive officer, Chipotle.