Brands
Domino’s Q1 profit falls 6.6 per cent, announces $1 billion buyback
Sales rise 3.4 per cent as pizza giant balances growth and shareholder returns
NEW YORK: Domino’s reported a mixed start to 2026, with first-quarter net income slipping even as global sales and store expansion held steady. The company also announced a fresh $1 billion share buyback, underlining its continued focus on shareholder returns.
Global retail sales rose 3.4 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $4.74 billion. The US remained a key growth engine, with same-store sales inching up 0.9 per cent, supported by a 1.5 per cent rise at company-owned outlets.
International markets, however, painted a more uneven picture. While Domino’s added 161 net new stores overseas during the quarter, international same-store sales declined 0.4 per cent. Overall revenues still climbed 3.5 per cent to $1.15 billion, driven by higher supply chain revenues and a 2.6 per cent increase in food basket pricing for franchisees.
On the profitability front, net income fell 6.6 per cent to $139.8 million, compared to $149.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share dropped to $4.13 from $4.33. The decline was largely attributed to a $30 million unfavourable swing in unrealised gains linked to its investment in DPC Dash Ltd.
Despite this, operational performance showed resilience. Income from operations rose 9.6 per cent to $230.4 million, supported in part by a $7.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a corporate aircraft.
Domino’s footprint continued to expand, with the company ending the quarter at 22,322 stores across more than 90 markets. In the US, digital orders remained dominant, accounting for over 85 per cent of retail sales in 2025.
The company also maintained its dividend payout, declaring $1.99 per share, payable on 30 June 2026. After repurchasing $75.1 million worth of stock during the quarter, the new authorisation lifts the total available for buybacks to $1.29 billion.
Domino’s chief executive officer Russell Weiner said the company’s scale and store-level economics position it well to capture further market share in 2026, even as competition intensifies.
As Domino’s leans into expansion and capital returns, the latest results show a business managing short-term pressures while keeping its long-term growth strategy firmly in play.
Brands
Charles Leclerc joins L’Oréal Paris as global face for Men Expert range
The Ferrari star teams up with former partner Carlos Sainz in a fresh grooming era
PARIS: After a month-long drought of Formula 1 action, fans have finally been given a reason to celebrate as Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc, joins the ranks of the beauty world. L’Oréal Paris has officially confirmed the Monegasque driver as their newest global brand ambassador, specifically fronting the Men Expert line.
The move is a strategic masterstroke for the brand. Historically, the beauty industry has found the male demographic a difficult corner to turn, but Leclerc offers the perfect blend of high-performance grit and Mediterranean elegance. He follows in the footsteps of his former teammate Carlos Sainz, who is already a face for the company’s hair care range. Having both icons under the same roof is a delightful reunion for fans who have missed the pair’s chemistry since their days together at Scuderia Ferrari.
L’Oréal Paris global brand president Delphine Viguier-Hovasse said that Leclerc represents a new generation of men who balance strength with vulnerability. This sentiment was echoed by those within the racing camp who see the partnership as a natural fit for a driver who spent his life in the spotlight of Monte Carlo.
As the paddock prepares to descend upon Florida for the Miami Grand Prix, the timing could not be better. While the “Carlando” duo may be competing for different points on the track these days, they are now officially teammates in the grooming aisle. It seems that whether he is hitting an apex or a photoshoot, Leclerc is proving that looking the part is just as important as being the fastest man on the grid.
With the 2026 season reaching a fever pitch and the glamour of Miami just around the corner, Leclerc’s new role adds a polished finish to his already stellar portfolio. As the lights go out on the next race, the Ferrari star will be looking to prove he has the substance to match the style.
