Mexican restaurant operator Alsea posts 45% profit dip
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican restaurant and cafe chain operator Alsea posted a 45% fall in fourth-quarter net profit, well below analysts' forecasts, although both core earnings and net sales increased despite a hit to the company's European Starbucks sales. The company, whose chains include Starbucks, Burger King and Domino's Pizza, earned 575 million pesos ($27.5 million) as net sales rose 11% from the year-ago quarter to 21.66 billion pesos. The Starbucks business in Europe, which was hit by a boycott movement opposing the war in Gaza, has recovered significantly after losing customers through last year, Alsea said, adding that it expected a continued rebound in 2025.