Brands
Mattel reports lower results for Q4-2015 and FY-2014; CEO Stockton takes the fall, quits
BENGALURU: Mattel, Inc (Mattel) reported a 6 per cent drop in worldwide sales from Q4-2014 (quarter ended 31 December 2014, current quarter) to US$ 1994 million from US$ 2113.2 million in Q4-2014. Worldwide sales for FY-2014 (year ended 31 December 2014) fell 7.3 per cent to US$ 6023.8 million from US$ 6484.9 million in FY-2013.
For the quarter, the company reported net income of US$ 149.9 million, or US$ 0.44 per share, which includes a negative impact of US$ 0.05 per share from MEGA Brands integration costs and a negative tax impact of US$ 0.03 per share, compared to last year’s fourth quarter net income of US$ 369.2 million, or US$ 1.07 per share. For the year, the Company reported net income of US$ 498.9 million, or US$ 1.45 per share, which includes a negative impact of US$ 0.16 per share from MEGA Brands acquisition and integration costs 3 and a tax benefit of US$ 0.13 per share, compared to last year’s net income of US$ 903.9 million, or US$ 2.58 per share, which included a tax benefit of US$0.09.
Bryan Stockton resigned from his position as chairman and CEO, as well as from the board of directors of Mattel on 26 January 2015. The company announced Christopher Sinclair’s appointment as Mattel chairman and Interim CEO on the same day.
“We are disappointed with our results but moving forward with a heightened sense of urgency to make the necessary changes to enhance our brand relevance and improve our execution,” said Sinclair. “Over the next few months, I will be focused on working with the management team to thoroughly evaluate the business in order to identify how we can improve our top-line performance and drive profitability. I am confident in our ability to revitalize our brands and our business and fully committed to delivering greater value for shareholders.”
Sales by Brand
Mattel Girls and Boys Brands
For the fourth quarter, worldwide gross sales for Mattel Girls & Boys Brands were US$ 1.23 billion, down 9 percent versus the prior year. Worldwide gross sales for the Barbie brand were down 12 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for Other Girls brands were down 3 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for the Wheels category, which includes the Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands, were up 2 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for the Entertainment business, which includes Radica and Games, were down 21 per cent.
For the year, worldwide gross sales for Mattel Girls & Boys Brands were US$ 3.90 billion, down 10 percent versus the prior year. Worldwide gross sales for the Barbie brand were down 16 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for Other Girls brands were down 2 per cent. Worldwide gross sales for the Wheels category, which includes the Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands, were up 1 percent. Worldwide gross sales for the Entertainment business, which includes Radica and Games, were down 20 per cent.
Fisher-Price Brands
Fourth quarter worldwide gross sales for Fisher-Price Brands, which includes the Fisher-Price Core, Fisher-Price Friends and Power Wheels brands, were US$ 578.9 million, down 11 percent versus the prior year. For the year, worldwide gross sales for Fisher-Price Brands were US$ 1.84 billion, down 13 per cent versus the prior year.
American Girl Brands
Fourth quarter gross sales for American Girl Brands, which offers American Girl-branded products directly to consumers, were US$ 318.3 million, down 4 percent versus the prior year. For the year, gross sales for American Girl Brands were US$ 620.7 million, down 2 percent versus the prior year.
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands
Fourth quarter gross sales for Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands, which includes the MEGA BLOKS and RoseArt brands, were US$ 130.0 million. For the year, gross sales for Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands were US$ 315.0 million. Mattel acquired MEGA Brands Inc. on 30 April 2014.
Brands
Dunkin’ Donuts to exit India as Jubilant FoodWorks ends 15-year franchise deal
The quick service restaurant giant is ending a 15-year franchise partnership with the American doughnut chain, even as it renews its Domino’s agreement for another 15 years
NOIDA: Dunkin’ is done in India. Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, the country’s leading quick service restaurant operator, has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with the American coffee and doughnut chain, and will wind down its Indian stores in a phased manner before December 31, 2026, bringing a 15-year partnership to a quiet, loss-laden close.
The decision, approved by JFL’s board on March 30, 2026, ends a relationship that began with a Multiple Unit Development Franchise Agreement signed on February 24, 2011. JFL will now evaluate and undertake what it described in a regulatory filing as the “rationalisation and/or cessation of certain operations and/or sale, transfer or disposal of assets and/or assignment or transfer of franchise rights,” all in consultation with Dunkin’s brand owners and strictly within the terms of the original agreement.
The numbers tell the story bluntly. In the financial year 2024-25, Dunkin’ India posted a revenue of Rs 37 crore against a loss of Rs 19 crore — a haemorrhage that was always going to test the patience of a parent company recording revenues of Rs 6,104 crore and a profit of Rs 194 crore in the same period. Doughnuts, it turns out, were never going to move the needle.
The contrast with JFL’s handling of its other marquee franchise could hardly be sharper. Even as it walks away from Dunkin’, the company has just doubled down on Domino’s, signing a fresh Master Franchise Agreement on March 31, 2026, granting it exclusive rights to develop and operate Domino’s Pizza stores in India for 15 years, with an option to renew for a further 10.
JFL, incorporated in 1995 and promoted by the Bharatia family, operates a network of more than 3,500 stores across six markets — India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Its portfolio includes Domino’s and Popeyes on the global side, and two home-grown brands: Hong’s Kitchen and COFFY, a café brand in Turkey.
For Dunkin’, India was always a stretch. The brand never quite cracked the cultural code in a market where filter coffee and chai command fierce loyalty and where the doughnut remains, at best, an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit. Fifteen years, mounting losses and a parent with better things to spend its capital on was always going to be a difficult equation to solve.
The doughnut has had its last day. The pizza, however, is staying.
