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☆ National Cheeseburger Day: Here are the deals to relish
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Wednesday is National Cheeseburger Day, with some of the biggest chains offering some much-needed discounts amid consumer complaints about rising prices. It’s part of company’s string of deals to kickstart slumping sales, including recently extending its popular $5 value meal until December. Fast food has been a low-profit margin business with little customer loyalty. McDonald’s pricey burgers have become a flashpoint of criticism and a symbol of elevated fast food prices. So deals are particularly crucial to fast food companies at the moment to lure customers back.

Persons: they’re, Burger King, Jack, Jack ” cheeseburger, ”, Joe Erlinger Organizations: New, New York CNN, Wednesday, McDonald’s Locations: New York, White, McDonald’s USA

☆ Big Lots files for bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Big Lots, the beleaguered discount retailer that previously warned it had “substantial doubt” about its survival, has filed for bankruptcy. As part of its Chapter 11 filing, the retailer announced that private equity firm Nexus Capital Management is acquiring “substantially all” of Big Lots stores and business operations. Big Lots blamed several economic factors for its bankruptcy, including high inflation and interest rates. Big Lots is in the process of closing roughly 300 of its 1,400 store across the United States. Big Lots joins a growing list of well-known retailers hitting financial turbulence as customers cut back spending on non-essential items.

Persons: ”, Bruce Thorn, McDonald’s, it’s, Sarah Foss, ” Foss Organizations: New, New York CNN, Nexus Capital Management, Lots, Walmart, Debtwire, CNN Locations: New York, United States

☆ Why Americans are snubbing McDonald’s and Starbucks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —On the surface, it looks like Americans are laying off the Big Macs, booze and even — gasp! On Monday, McDonald’s reported sales fell 0.7% in the US from the same period in 2023. The once reliably cheap McDonald’s pushed its prices up, while sit-down restaurants leaned into value and convenience. Applebee’s, for one, made a direct pitch to the hordes of ticked-off McDonald’s customers who felt the chain had abused its pricing power. Now, McDonald’s is trying to win back poorer customers while appealing to more affluent customers who want something new.

Persons: CNN Business ’, McDonald’s, Johnny Walker, It’s, it’s, they’re, ”, RJ Hottovy, Jonathan Maze, I’m, —, Chili’s, “, Taylor Swift Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Starbucks, Diageo, Restaurant Business, Dine Brands, CNN Locations: New York, United States, North America, Texas, Paris

☆ Hooters closes dozens of restaurants
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Hooters is the latest chain to close dozens of locations across the United States, blaming tough economic challenges including rising food and labor costs. “Like many restaurants under pressure from current market conditions, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close a select number of underperforming stores,” a spokesperson told CNN. In that time prices ticked up 0.2% at limited service spots, which include fast casual and fast food joints. The increases, particularly in fast food prices, have caused customers to pull back on spending and complain online, eroding the sector’s reputation for affordability. It’s not just Hooters feeling the financial brunt from cash-conscious customers: Applebee’s, TGI Fridays, Boston Market, California Pizza Kitchen and bankrupt Red Lobster have all recently closed restaurants.

Persons: Danielle Wiener, Bronner Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hooters, CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Boston Locations: New York, United States, Florida , Kentucky, Rhode Island , Texas, Virginia, Boston Market, California

☆ Why Olive Garden doesn’t want to give discounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But Olive Garden is holding out. In the quarter ending on May 26, sales at Olive Garden restaurants open at least 16 months dropped 1.5%. Olive Garden has tried to avoid such pushback by keeping its price increases low. “While Olive Garden same restaurant sales were below the industry, same-restaurant guest counts outperformed the industry,” Vennam said. “The way we do it is more sustainable.”Rather than vie for customers with steep discounts, Olive Garden is planning to bring people in by highlighting its regular offerings.

Persons: they’ve, Olive, “ We’re, ”, Rick Cardenas, Olive Garden, Cardenas, Raj Vennam, ” Vennam, Eddie V’s, David Henkes, Technomic, ” Cardenas Organizations: New, New York CNN, Darden, Olive Garden, Olive, LongHorn, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN Locations: New York, Applebee’s, Olive Garden’s, Olive

☆ Cracker Barrel is in a battle for relevancy. One of its solutions is surprising
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New Cracker Barrels might be smaller restaurants altogether, with menus that include new items like green chili cornbread and banana pudding. Discounted dinner from 4 to 6 p.m.Why would Cracker Barrel, so desperate for relevancy, lean into a tactic typically used to attract senior citizens? A woman eats lunch at Cracker Barrel. Masino didn’t explicitly mention the specials during the discussion about the long-term strategy for Cracker Barrel. To compete in this environment, Cracker Barrel realizes it has to offer some type of deal.

Persons: Julie Felss Masino, ” Masino, ”, Jeff Greenberg, Baby, Masino, Lisa W, Miller, RJ Hottovy, It’s, “, John A, Gordon Organizations: New, New York CNN, Universal, Getty, Baby Boomers, Miller & Associates, Street Journal, Pacific Management Consulting Group Locations: New York, The Tennessee, Placer.ai

☆ Longtime Applebee’s franchisee on decision to sell: Core inflation remains very strong
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailLongtime Applebee’s franchisee on decision to sell: Core inflation remains very strongZane Tankel, Apple-Metro Chairman & CEO, joins 'Fast Money' to discuss how rising costs are impacting the restaurant industry.

Persons: Zane Tankel Organizations: Apple, Metro

☆ Grocery prices are finally falling
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Food shoppers can finally breathe a slight sigh of relief: After years of increases followed by months of plateau, grocery prices fell last month. Grocery prices retreated 0.2% from March to April, adjusted for seasonal swings, according to inflation data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But back in February, overall food prices remained flat for the first time since April 2023. Fast food prices jumpWhile grocery prices have been moderating, menu prices remain high, especially at fast food spots. At sit-down restaurants, prices went up 3.4%, while at limited-service restaurants — where you’re served at the counter — prices rose 4.8%.

Persons: Milk, you’re, McDonald’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: New York, Ukraine, Texas, —, McDonald’s

☆ Fast food is expensive. Applebee’s and Chili’s are moving in
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For them, and the fast food chains they’re now competing against, the stakes are high. “Fast food has gotten really expensive,” Henkes said. On X, Chili’s asked whether Chili’s is better than fast food, and promised rewards to those who said yes. Chili’s also ran video ads comparing its food favorably to fast food burgers. “People go to sit-down restaurants, generally speaking, for different occasions, than they go to fast food restaurants,” he noted.

Persons: New York CNN — McDonald’s, Applebee’s, ” John Peyton, it’s, Peyton, “, ”, Henkes, McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, Ian Borden, we’ve, Chili’s, Kevin Hochman, Chili's, Jeffery Greenberg, David Henkes, ” Henkes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Dine Brands, CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bloomberg, Applebee’s, Brinker International, Universal, “ Locations: New York, McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Technomic

☆ Say goodbye to Ruby Tuesday and Chili’s. These are the hot new restaurants at the mall
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

As anchor department stores left malls, so did some name-brand chains like Ruby Tuesday, Chili’s, Applebee’s and others. What’s taking their place illustrates a large shift in US tastes: There’s a boom in smaller and regional restaurant chains with a local following. At the same time, many national chains are prioritizing drive-thru locations over their sit-down restaurants in malls. Chick-fil-A restaurants were only located in mall food courts for the company’s first 20 years. “Traditional mall restaurants were casual dining chains like Chili’s, TGI Fridays, and quick-service restaurants in food courts.

Persons: Ruby, What’s, Paul Hennessy, ”, Chris Simms, Simms, Gabby Jones, Mark Hunter, CBRE, RJ Hottovy, ” Hottovy, David Kim, ” Kim, It’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anadolu Agency, Getty, “, Food, JCPenney, Nordstrom, Green, Westfield Garden, Bloomberg, Deloitte, NV Locations: New York, Applebee’s, Orlando , Florida, Paramus , New Jersey, United States, Greenbriar, Atlanta, Korean, Henderson

☆ High spirits in Hollywood: What’s behind the boom of celebrity liquor brands?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —Why does actor Aaron Paul co-own a mezcal brand? Rob Kim/Getty Images for NYCWFFIt’s an “opportunity, to be honest,” Cranston told CNN. Celebrities are attractive to the spirits space because of their clout and connections, so the industry has “the door open. Four years later they sold the tequila brand to liquor giant Diageo for $1 billion, and the industry gold rush was on. The side of a Casamigos delivery truck promoting George Clooney and Rande Gerber's tequila brand in a 2015 photo.

Persons: Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranston, —, Niro, Issa Rae, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Matthew, Camila McConaughey, Eva Longoria, Casa Del, Kendall Jenner, Shirley Temple, Warren Beatty, Rob Kim, ” Cranston, George Clooney, Rande Gerber, George Rose, Ryan Reynolds, Conor McGregor, Jose Cuervo, Michael Yanover, Yanover, Jeff Spicer, ” Lisa Hawkins, , Drizly, Dwayne Johnson, Mike Segar, ” Andrew Chrisomalis, Tequila, Ed Mundy, ” Mundy, Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Combs, Jennifer Lopez’s Delola, Lopez, she’s, Delola, Paul, Cranston, Dos, ” Applebee’s, ” Aaron Paul, CAA’s Yanover, “, There’s, Kylie Jenner, Kendall, It’s, I’ve Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hombres, Hollywood, Dos Hombres, Food Network New York, Food Network New York City Wine, Food Festival, CNN, Diageo, Aviation, UFC, Creative Artists Agency, ”, Reuters, Jefferies, Diddy, New York, New York City Wine, Applebee’s Locations: New York, Casa Del Sol, Food Network New York City, Hollywood, New York City, Iowa, Applebee’s

☆ Applebee’s is shrinking. Its parent company may open joint restaurants with IHOP
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Dine Brands Global is considering an Applebee’s and IHOP combination, according to an earnings call on February 28. Dine Brands is the parent company of both restaurant chains. Because of the cost to build an Applebee’s, Dine Brands is “assembling a prototype” for another option. The revenue for the joint restaurants could double that of the standalone restaurants, the company said in the earnings call. Combination locations allowed these restaurants, such as Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon, to expand past malls and into busier streetside spots.

Persons: New York CNN —, Anne’s, Applebee’s, Paul Weaver, Carvel, Auntie Anne’s, ”, Brian Krause, John Peyton, Peyton Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bell, KFC, Dine, Dine Brands, AP, Focus Brands, Brands Locations: New York, Susquehanna, Selinsgrove , Pennsylvania, Cinnabon, Leon , Mexico, Mexico

☆ Why Panera is causing a stir in California politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

And Panera Bread has been caught in the middle. Newsom has also said that Panera may not be exempt from the new minimum wage law after all. Nevertheless, on Thursday, Republican lawmakers in California called on the state’s attorney general to investigate the minimum wage exemption. Flynn’s company operates more than just Panera Bread locations. Stack also said that Newsom’s legal team determined that the carve-out would likely not apply to most Panera Bread locations.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Greg Flynn, Newsom’s, Newsom, Flynn, Panera, ”, Brian Jones, owner’s Newsom, Myung J, Chun, “, ” Flynn, Taco, –, Alex Stack, Stack Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Democratic California Gov, Republican, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Flynn Group, Taco Bell Locations: California, Los Angeles , CA

☆ When A.I. Bridged a Language Gap, They Fell in Love
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Amanda Florian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He also foresaw one minor issue: Mr. Romero didn’t speak Spanish, Ms. Ochoa’s native language. “I felt it was nice without all the useless chatter,” Mr. Romero, 45, said. But later that month, Mr. Romero realized there might be an even easier way to communicate. At work, Mr. Romero uses an app called Captions to create videos and answer questions for clients. He recalled his friend nudging him to test the app on Ms. Ochoa, saying, “Dude, you got a translation button.

Persons: LeRoy Romero, Brenda Ochoa, Romero, Ochoa, Romero didn’t, margarita, Mr, “, nudging, ’ Organizations: Google Locations: Peoria, Ariz, Mexicali, Mexico

☆ Applebee’s is offering a subscription pass for your date nights
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Applebee’s will offer a subscription date night pass for $200, beginning on Monday. The pass will cover roughly a year of weekly date nights, according to the company. Starting February 1 — about two weeks before Valentine’s Day — and ending on January 31, 2025, the pass is valid 52 times. That can cover two servings of all-you-can-eat boneless wings, riblets and shrimp – but the cost of margaritas will have to come out of your own pocket. The pass can be used for online orders, but cannot be used through third-party delivery orders — such as Doordash and Postmates.

Persons: New York CNN —, Applebee’s, Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: New, New York CNN, Valentine’s Locations: New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Ohio, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas

☆ Ghost kitchens were supposed to revolutionize restaurants. They’re crashing
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But ghost kitchens are now crashing. Ghost kitchens are stripped-down commercial kitchens with no dine-in option. Sometimes called cloud kitchens, dark kitchens or virtual kitchens, ghost kitchens fulfill online orders from delivery apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats. Ghost kitchens also offered big chains a way to test new menu concepts, items and brands at lower rents and with less labor. So restaurants have shut down their ghost kitchens and funding for the concept has dried up.

Persons: Uber, Pat Greenhouse, ”, John Gordon, ” Wendy’s, Travis Kalanick, Applebee’s, “, Stephen Zagor, ” John Gordon, Tiffany Hagler, Wendy’s, Kalanick’s CloudKitchens, ” Gordon Organizations: New, New York CNN, Big, Kroger, Reef Technology, Boston Globe, Technology, Wings, Columbia Business School, National Restaurant Association, Geard, Bloomberg, Getty, Butler Locations: New York, South Boston, Dobbs Ferry , New York, U.S

☆ This is what McDonald’s drive-thru of the future could look like
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Drive-thru times have gotten 45 seconds slower on average in 2022 compared to 2019 at industry-leading chains, according to this year’s Drive-Thru Report by QSR and Intouch Insight. A customer picks up a McDonald's order from a conveyor. McDonald'sDriving down drive-thru timesAlthough drive-thru times are slower than they were in 2019, they’ve improved from last year, when a shortage of workers and an increase in demand for drive-thru, delivery and to-go orders sent restaurant operations into disarray. McDonald'sTaco Bell in June unveiled a concept restaurant with four drive-thru lanes, and orders delivered via “vertical lift” from the kitchen. McDonald’s first announced plans to improve its drive-thru in 2020.

☆ Some CFOs Are Boosting Their Credit Lines as Insurance Against Recession
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Kristin Broughton | Nina Trentmann | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

In addition to recession-planning, some companies are expanding their credit lines in response to higher input and inventory costs, corporate bankers said. Term loans are also funded at the outset, unlike credit lines. Photo: Xcel EnergyThe company increased its revolving credit lines primarily because it is expanding and also confronting higher commodity costs, Mr. Johnson said. Xcel doesn’t typically allow its commercial-paper balances to exceed 40% of its total borrowing capacity under its revolving credit lines, Mr. Johnson said. Bombardier in the third quarter closed on a new $300 million, five-year revolving credit facility.

☆ Dollar General’s newest shoppers: People making $100,000 a year
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-08 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —Middle-income and wealthier shoppers, pinched by inflation, are shopping more at Dollar General for essentials and discretionary items. Dollar General (DG) CEO Todd Vasos this week said the retail giant has been attracting customers earning $100,000 a year in recent weeks. Inflation has pushed up prices for groceries and gas, and now these shoppers are turning to Dollar General (DG) and others to try to save money. Some of these customers first shopped at Dollar General earlier in the pandemic and have now returned, he added. Dollar General has been a lifeline for lower-income shoppers, particularly in rural areas with few other retail options.

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