Lindsay Guzowski

Darden Restaurants recently reported its quarterly results, showcasing resilience amidst a challenging environment. While Olive Garden faced a decline in same-store sales for the second consecutive quarter, Darden's overall performance remained steady, with earnings per share surpassing expectations at $2.65 and revenue reaching $2.96 billion. Looking forward to fiscal 2025, Darden projects a promising outlook with expected earnings per share between $9.40 and $9.60 and anticipated net sales of $11.8 billion to $11.9 billion. The company's LongHorn Steakhouse segment notably reported a 4% increase in same-store sales, underscoring Darden's effective management and operational strength. With plans to invest $550 million to $600 million in capital expenditures, Darden is poised to enhance its offerings and maintain its competitive edge in the market. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/eFgDC97p #hospitality #restaurants #technology #innovation Branded Hospitality Ventures Angelo Fama Jr. John Espy Dave George Daryl L. Cunningham Lisa McDowell Robert Anderson Ali Charri

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Boards of Directors – How Relevant To The Business Is The Board? In 2014, activist investor Starboard Value successfully replaced all 12 directors on the board of Darden Restaurants. The following shows the Darden incumbent board at the time of Starboard's proxy fight, Starboard’s value creation plan initiatives, the Starboard director nominees and the before and after performance (revenue, EBITDA, EBITDA margin and stock price). Note especially the direct relevance of each Starboard nominee to the industry or some aspect of the value creation plan. How often do you see this level of relevance on public company boards?

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High purchase multiples + endless PE competition + high i-rates = shrinking margin for error in PE deals. PE firms can no longer afford to be wrong about a target company's: • Operational effectiveness • Growth readiness • Change readiness • Quality of leadership No wonder demand for organizational & commercial due diligence has surged in recent years. #PrivateEquity #DueDiligence

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Per PitchBook, PE managers' returns to LPs are still in decline. The data speaks for itself. Clearly the past few years have seen a significant decline in realizations. However, one of the biggest mistakes continually made in investing is to take recent data and simply extrapolate it into the future. The article makes the statement: "The decline is a sign that PE realizations have yet to bottom out, as GPs navigate unfavorable market conditions for exiting their often long-held investments." I wouldn't be so sure. The data might actually be pointing out that the decline has bottomed out - and we simply have not yet recognized it. The investing markets are a pendulum, constantly swinging back and forth between wide open capital markets and markets closed tight. We have been in a closed market for some time now. Don't be too surprised if what we are experiencing now is the early innings to a thaw. Only time will tell... Endeavor Colorado #privateequity #venturecapital #innovation #entrepreneurship #founders #startups #investing https://lnkd.in/gCCWN9_D

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Amid a challenging macroeconomic environment and rapid change, CEOs are searching for the next engine for growth. The answer may be right in front of them: a redefined and reinvigorated relationship with their CMO.

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Q2 board meeting season is upon us. And PE folks & their management teams have a choice: 1. Execute board mtgs WELL and move the needle; or 2. Execute board mtgs POORLY and waste a boatload of time/$$. Here are 5 small board meeting habits that I've found can go a long way toward making board meetings productive. #PrivateEquity #Boards

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According to government estimates, the U.S. Manufacturing sector loses well over $100B annually because so many companies remain over-dependent on outdated manual processes. For such companies, creating a more “eCommerce-like” buying experience for their suppliers is imperative.    That’s why today Cleo launched CIC ORCA (Order to Cash Automation), a new capability in our Cleo Integration Cloud platform that dramatically improves #B2B buying experiences by delivering seamless “eCommerce to EDI” workflows for businesses that don’t happen to have EDI capabilities.    CIC ORCA is intended for #manufacturers, #wholesalers, and #distributors who must cater to the modern B2B buyer’s preferences for ease-of-use, self-service, and efficiency when procuring goods, getting delivery updates, and receiving invoices from their suppliers.     In an era shaped by the “Amazon Effect,” suppliers are increasingly expected to emulate the B2C buying experience. Cleo's CIC ORCA gets everyone singing from the same song sheet. For the full story see today's Cleo Press Release or visit the CIC ORCA web page -- https://lnkd.in/gqFn4hCj

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Join us tomorrow for a panel discussion on the complex relationship many FirstGens have to money and how that affects founders, investors, operators and others. See you tomorrow! https://lu.ma/9rixyzgs

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Whiskey is emerging as a popular investment class among HNW investors according to a new report by KPMG: 27% said they plan to invest in whiskey within the next 3 years, making it the most popular form of "luxury" assets. Whiskey interest is followed by art (26%), jewelry (20%), wine (15%), and classic cars (14%). While increased capital moving into whiskey investments is likely to drive down returns in the long run, we believe the wholesale bourbon niche is still small enough to capture excess returns for investors who buy barrels in 2024. #bourboninvestments #alternativeassets #familyoffice #investmentideas https://lnkd.in/dgpdGCPd.

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PE professionals surveyed (2022) attribute >50% of investment returns to the quality of leadership. (Credit: Teneo) Read: ● MOST All PE folks understand the strong link between leadership and performance. And... ◕ SOME PE folks are intentional & disciplined about hiring and selecting leadership. Yet... ◔ FEW PE folks are actually investing in developing leaders. I'm working on something to bridge that gap, and help PEGs unlock more "leadership alpha." Details in the comments ⤵️

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To all #founders and #entrepreneurs out there, our intro meetings are conversational and easy going. Feel free to message me to setup a call. Learn what Pioneera Ventures can do for you!

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May is when many private companies finalize mid-year comp plans 💵 Need a reliable 409A valuation? Or has it been over a year since your last? We've got you covered! Scalar's 409A valuations keep you compliant, protect employees from tax penalties, and come with a team that supports you all the way through an audit. https://lnkd.in/gs_CtPNS

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I so enjoyed this conversation with Jeffrey Tockman! He provides profound, yet actionable insights for businesses looking to grow through referrals. #TheFutureofPrivateEquity #businesspodcast

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Such an excellent conversation this week. For those in venture capital, this is a must listen. https://lnkd.in/gQUgM8q9

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Scaling your business can be daunting, but introducing a Fractional COO to your team can significantly streamline your operations and foster growth. A Fractional COO brings strategic leadership and expertise on a part-time basis, offering a cost-effective solution to enhancing productivity and achieving ambitious business goals. When considering a Fractional COO, focus on these essential factors: > Goal alignment: Ensure your objectives resonate with the COO's capabilities. > Business needs: Identify critical areas needing improvement or support. > Cultural fit: A COO who meshes well with your team can drive better results. > Proven experience: Prior success stories in similar environments are invaluable. Bringing on a Fractional COO can be a game-changer for your business by providing the leadership needed to tackle present challenges and seize future opportunities efficiently. https://lnkd.in/dFxz6wvu #COO #FractionalHiring #Recruitment

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"The idea of America as the Arsenal of Democracy in World War II—innovative, productive, and hard-working—is now firmly a part of the story we tell about ourselves. It is a source of pride, patriotism, and inspiration. And it’s a true story. But that was then, and this is now. Today, Americans are waking up to the reality that we can’t make things in sufficient quantities to keep us safe, while our principal adversary is flooding the world with its manufactures. Many of our allies are in even worse shape. Rebuilding and rearming before it’s too late are the urgent tasks before us. Thankfully, industrial decline is a solvable problem—anda choice. We can make better choices, create better incentives, and use the strengths we still have to our advantage. Not only is mass production a solvable problem. It’s already being solved. Half of our business at Palantir Technologies, where I work as chief technology officer, is with commercial clients. We work every day to create software that helps the free world’s most important industrial concerns supercharge production, see into their supply chains, and empower their workers, from the C-suite to the assembly line. I’ve seen the results, and I believe this model—what’s sometimes called software-defined production—is key to rebuilding the American industrial base." https://lnkd.in/g_MPzfFH

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