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Kraft Heinz is splitting after a decade, and we unpack what that says about the end of “scale at all costs” in Big Food. Jenny Rae and Namaan dive into why focus beats brute scale, how zero-based budgeting collided with challenger brands, and why owning the shelf no longer locks in customers.

From ketchup loyalty to cream cheese on the “taste elevation” roster, we map the split: condiments vs packaged meals, the margin math, and the acquisition targets a focused sauces business will chase next.

Links:

• AP News: Kraft Heinz is putting Lunchables on school lunch menus nationwide
• Kraft Heinz Investor Relations: SEC Filings

Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.

• Subscribe to the Market Outsiders feed for daily episodes (Apple, Spotify).
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• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

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Brainstorming questions are one of the trickiest and most under-practiced parts of the case interview. They can make or break your chances.

In this Case Creative Masterclass, presented by Bates White - a leading economic consulting firm - you’ll learn how to spot brainstorming questions, build a structured response on the fly, and avoid the “rambling” trap that sinks many candidates. 

We cover the two main types of creative questions, a simple framework to structure your ideas, and how to prioritize insights. 

In addition, watch a live expert demonstration of what an excellent answer looks like in real time.

Partner Links:

• Explore open roles at Bates White (email: [email protected])

Additional Resources:

• Black Belt: 8+ hours of expert coaching with an MBB consultant
• Case Prep Plan: A

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
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• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Getting invited to a second round consulting interview is a huge achievement, but it’s not the finish line. The final round is where the offer is won or lost. 

In this episode, Jenny Rae shares exactly how to prepare for 2nd-round consulting interviews, including advanced case interview strategies and fit interview best practices. 

Whether you’re interviewing with McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or another top consulting firm, this guide will help you turn your second-round invite into a full-time offer.

Additional Resources:

• Start your Case Prep Plan (free!)
• Black Belt Case Prep Program: Your one-stop shop for case + fit interview prep, from round 1 to the offer
• YouTube playlist of Case Interview Examples
• Stay on top of Consulting Application Deadlines

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
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• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Dr. Pepper is making an $18 billion play in the global coffee market, acquiring Dutch giant JDE Peet’s and splitting into two standalone companies. The deal creates a new coffee contender set to rival Nestlé.

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Dr. Pepper is betting big, what the move says about synergies and strategy, and why investors sent KDP’s stock down.

They also explore what this means for global beverage competition and whether Dr. Pepper can truly challenge Nestlé’s dominance.

Links:

• Reuters: Keurig Dr Pepper brews coffee challenge to Nestlé with $18 billion JDE Peet’s takeover

Related Market Outsiders episodes you’ll love:

• PepsiCo Earnings Surprise (July 2025) – Shares jump as Pepsi’s diversification strategy pays off, with implications for the broader drinks market.
• Coca-Cola’s Growth Challenge (June 2025) – How Coke is managing slowing soda sales while leaning into new categories.

Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.

• Subscribe to the Market Outsiders feed for daily episodes (Apple,

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Step inside a live McKinsey-style case interview. In this episode, former McKinsey consultant and expert coach Mark Di Giorgio leads a candidate through a market entry case set in the nutrition and healthcare industry.

Watch how the case unfolds, including:

• Structuring a US market entry problem
• Sizing the diabetes supplement market
• Evaluating retail vs. direct sales channels
• Assessing risks and competitor responses

If you’re preparing for McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, this is your chance to experience the pressure of a real interview and learn how to communicate with structure, clarity, and confidence.

Want personalized feedback and practice with Mark? Book a one-on-one coaching session today below. Spots fill quickly.

Work with Mark:

• See Mark's current coaching availability
• Purchase the Black Belt case prep program for 1:1 coaching with Mark 
• Connect on

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Get the insider’s view on consulting recruitment in the United Kingdom for 2025. In this episode, we cover market trends, 3 recruiting power moves, and a salary preview for top firms like McKinsey, Bain, and OC&C.

You’ll learn:

• Why where you study matters more than what you study
• The true recruiting timeline for UK firms (hint: it starts earlier than you think)
• What entry-level salaries and bonuses look like across leading UK firms

Consulting demand in the UK is rising, but so is competition. Use this episode as your guide to stay ahead of the curve.

Download the 2025 UK Recruitment Roadmap (free).

Links:

• Join Black Belt - an expert prep program that's helped hundreds land offers in the UK
• Review 2025 UK consulting application deadlines
• Book a 15-minute call with Katie to see which package is right for you

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Chili’s just posted five straight quarters of growth and a 39% sales jump, bucking the trend in a struggling casual dining sector.

On today’s Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack what’s behind Chili’s surge and why its real competition may be McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A, not Outback or Applebee’s.

They also explore how Chili’s is threading the needle on pricing strategy, what it reveals about consumer behavior, and why the chain has become a rare bright spot in restaurants.

Links:

• Daily Mail: Family favorite restaurant chain booming thanks to cracking deals… as industry struggles
• Simon-Kucher: Price discrimination: Strategies, legality, and implications for businesses

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Mental math is one of the most misunderstood (and feared) parts of the case interview. In this live Case Math Masterclass, we show you how to turn it into a strength.

You’ll learn the 3 types of case math you’ll encounter, the 4-step process to master each one, and how firms actually evaluate your quantitative skills. Plus, watch a live demonstration to see what excellent case math looks like in action.

If you’ve ever worried that math could tank your interview performance, this episode will give you the confidence and playbook you need to dominate.

Additional Resources:

• Black Belt: 8+ hours of expert coaching with an MBB consultant
• Case Prep Plan: A step-by-step guide to getting ready on any timeline
• Scoring Guide: See how MBB interviewers score cases

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

Send us Fan Mail

Too many candidates spend their prep time chasing rare case interview curveballs. The truth is, most interviews follow a predictable pattern. Over 95% of cases include the same five question types.

In this episode, we break down exactly what they are and how to handle each one - from your opening structure to your final close.

Skip the fluff, focus your practice, and give yourself the best shot at an MBB offer.

Additional Resources:

• Black Belt case prep program
• Milestone-based Case Prep Plan
• Case Interview Guide

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more

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Stock buybacks are hitting all-time highs in 2025, led by big banks and tech giants like Apple and Alphabet. 

In this episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what a buyback is, why companies do it, and what this surge signals about corporate balance sheets, sector trends, and the strength of the U.S. economy.

Links:

• Investopedia: What is a Buyback?
• Wall Street Journal: American Companies Are Buying Their Own Stocks at a Record Pace

Chapters:

• 03:35 Understanding Stock Buybacks
• 06:44 The Mechanics of Buybacks and Their Implications
• 09:38 Current Trends in Stock Buybacks
• 12:38 Sector-Specific Insights on Buybacks
• 15:31 The Role of Major Companies in Buybacks
• 18:28 Evaluating the Impact of Buybacks on the Economy
• 21:24 Conclusion and Future Considerations

Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.

• Subscribe to the Market Outsiders feed for daily episodes (Apple, Spotify).
• Follow Management C

Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.

MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month

Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program

Connect With Management Consulted

• Create a free MC account or download the MC app (Apple, Android) to start your prep today
• Schedule a free 15min consultation with the MC Team
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
• Join an upcoming live event – case interviews demos, expert panels, and more