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☆ Red Lobster is a mess. Here’s why the new 35-year-old CEO wanted the job anyway
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Red Lobster's new chief executive Damola Adamolekun during an interview with CNN at a Red Lobster in Long Island, New York, last week. CNNIn Springfield, he first ate at a Red Lobster with his parents and two siblings after church one Sunday. Red Lobster was where he, like millions of Americans, experienced eating lobster and cracking crab legs for the first time. Beyoncé sang about taking a romantic partner to Red Lobster in her 2016 hit song “Formation.”After Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, Flava Flav ordered the whole menu to try to save the company. Red Lobster closed more than 100 restaurants this year, including a location in Orlando, Florida, shown this year.

Persons: Damola Adamolekun, “, ” Adamolekun, It’s, ”, Adamolekun, Bill Darden, Mills, Chris Rock, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Flav, “ Mr, ” —, Kevin Lamarque, Clarence Otis Jr, RJ Hottovy, Hottovy, Adamolekun’s, ” Hottovy, ’, Red, Phelan M, can’t, John Paulson, Paulson, P.F, Chang’s, Morgan McClure, Fortress, ” McClure, Brandon Bell, isn’t Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Fortress Investment, Fortress, Red, Boomers, Darden, Thai Union Group, Former Red Lobster, Thai Union, As Thai Union, Thai, Brown University, Harvard Business School, Paulson & Co Locations: New York, Long, , New York, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Springfield , Illinois, United States, Long Island , New York, Springfield, America, Alexandria , Virginia, Olive, Thai Union, Thai, Orlando , Florida, P.F, Chang’s, Columbia , Maryland, New York City, Scottsdale , Arizona, Austin , Texas

☆ McDonald’s is finally selling the Chicken Big Mac in the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —When McDonald’s rolled out the Chicken Big Mac in the United Kingdom, it sold out within 10 days. The Chicken Big Mac is similar to its beefy sibling; however, it replaces the two burgers with two tempura chicken patties. It also includes the signature Big Mac sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce and a slice of American cheese. In a press release Thursday, McDonald’s says that its customers have been “clamoring” for the Chicken Big Mac after making previous appearances on the chain’s menu across the world. The Chicken Big Mac has made a brief appearance in the US before: In 2022, McDonald’s released it as a test in some of its Miami restaurants to gather feedback from customers.

Persons: McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, it’s, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN Locations: New York, United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Miami, Canada

☆ Wendy’s is celebrating SpongeBob’s birthday with a Krabby Patty meal
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Krusty Krab, the fictional fast-food restaurant in “SpongeBob SquarePants,” will never be real, but at least the second-best thing is — a Krabby Patty. Wendy’s is releasing a special meal, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the “SpongeBob SquarePants” animated TV series, which includes a “Krabby Patty Kollab” cheeseburger and a “Pineapple Under the Sea” Frosty flavoring at its US and Canadian restaurants for a limited time beginning October 8. The Krabby Patty is the same as a regular cheeseburger but with an additional slice of cheese and a “top-secret” Krabby Kollab sauce, the chain announced Wendnesday. McDonald’s often releases celebrity meals, which features food already on its menu but with a special name, finding financial success with them. As a result, companies have released value meals and special promotions to ramp up sales.

Persons: Krusty Krab, SpongeBob, ”, Patty, Wendy’s, Patty Kollab ”, Burger King, MGM’s “ Organizations: New, New York CNN Locations: New York

☆ Dirty soda shops want to be the next Starbucks
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

At a local store called Thirst, she tried a classic dirty soda combination: Dr Pepper with coconut cream and a raspberry syrup. Dirty soda is a non-alcoholic drink combined with creams, flavored syrups or fruit. What surprised Myrick the most about dirty soda shops was the sheer quantity of choices. Soda shops will have to continue to make the drinks relevant even once social media moves on, especially with such lofty growth goals. “It’s tough here because the vibe of the soda shops is a drive-through.”

Persons: Jordan Myrick, ” Myrick, Myrick, ”, Dr Pepper, influencers, it’s, ’, I’m, Layla Taylor, “ I’m, TikTok, Swig, Alex Dunn, we’ve, Chris Goodchild, “, FiiZ, Sodalicious, Pepper, doogh, Dixie, Lindsay Lohan, Ducky –, Goodchild, ” Goodchild, Coke, Nara Smith, creamer, you’re, Klea Mulla Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hulu, CNN, “, Starbucks, Boston Consulting Group, Western, Sonic, Dairy, The Washington Post, Pepsi, Dutch Bros, York City Locations: New York, California, Utah, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Swig, Western United States, South – Florida, Kentucky, Carolinas, Kansas, Indiana, Missouri, Midwest, Punjab, South Asia, Nara, Wawas, overpriced, New York City, York

☆ Why is everything mini these days?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Even iced tea brand Snapple has launched an8-ounce bottle, advertised to fit in a mini bag. With the introduction of the mini skirt came the mini clutch bag and then the mini top handle bag. In one of her most popular videos, she stuffs a mini Coach Tabby bag ($195 online) with a mini Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, mini Chanel mascara, mini Tarte Shape Tape concealer, mini Chanel compact powder and a mini Versace perfume — along with other essentials. Covid made her realize she didn’t have to carry around as much as she thought she did, so she jumped on the mini bag trend. Even people who don’t use mini products are locked into Barker’s content.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, Joe’s, stoke overconsumption, Shawn Carter, Gen Z, Alpha, Carter, ” Carter, Matt Sloan, ” Sloan, Jo Barker’s, Bean, TikTok, Tilbury, mascara, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Barker, Covid, I’m, ” Barker, Ulta, ” Anna Keller, Minter, Jeremy Moeller, Keller, “, ” Keller, Melissa Valliant, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, stoke, of Technologybusiness, Brands, Getty, Plastic Locations: New York, Instagram

☆ Olive Garden strikes a deal with Uber to deliver its food
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Once a holdout on using third-party services, Olive Garden is reversing course and will use Uber to deliver breadsticks and pasta. Olive Garden already offers delivery through its website and app, delivered by the restaurant’s employees. Even during the height of the pandemic, Olive Garden didn’t use the services, although the services benefited their competitors. The partnership likely alleviated some of the pain of a dismal quarter for Olive Garden, which reported a 2.9% drop in same-store sales for the quarter. Olive Garden doesn’t offer many discounts, like its competitors do.

Persons: Uber, Olive Garden, Olive, ”, Rick Cardenas, ” Darden, Darden, Ruth Chris Organizations: New, New York CNN, Darden, it’s, Olive, Longhorn Locations: New York, Olive

☆ 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

☆ Chipotle and Spirit Halloween are launching a costume collection
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Chipotle is already getting into the Halloween spirit. The fast-casual chain announced a costume collection with Spirit Halloween Wednesday, the seasonal Halloween costume store that pops up every year in abandoned storefronts. Two years ago, it posted a fake “Chipotle Fork” bodysuit with the caption “Found ur costume.” Then last year, another fake “Chipotle Napkin” costume showed up on its Instagram. The Chipotle Fork costume, for example, is just a plain black, polyester bodysuit. “Our popular Halloween tradition, Boorito, began with a burrito-themed costume contest and now we’re taking it to the next level with the launch of our first-ever costume collection in collaboration with Spirit Halloween,” said Chris Brandt, chief brand officer at Chipotle in a statement.

Persons: New York CNN — Chipotle, Chipotle, ”, Chris Brandt, Brian Niccol, Taco, Scott Boatwright Organizations: New, New York CNN, Burt’s, Retailers, Taco Bell Locations: New York, Canada, Chicago, Denver, Egg Harbor Township, N.J, Los Angeles

☆ Starbucks is giving its new CEO Brian Niccol a private jet to commute between his California home and Seattle office
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —New Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol won’t be a constant presence at its Seattle headquarters where he takes the helm next month. Starbucks is giving him a corporate jet to use to commute back and forth. Niccol is also expected to be traveling often, visiting stores and workers since he’s running a global operation of 39,000 stores and 450,000 employees. Earlier this month, Starbucks announced that Niccol would replace Laxman Narasimhan, whose stint as CEO lasted less than two years. Niccol is tasked with turning Starbucks’ fortunes around and mirroring the success he’s had at Mexican-inspired food chain Chipotle for the past six years.

Persons: Brian Niccol won’t, “ Brian Niccol, “ We’re, Niccol, Laxman Narasimhan, he’s, – CNN’s Chris Isidore Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, CNN, ”, International Energy Agency, Greenpeace, Institute for Policy Studies Locations: New York, Seattle, California, Newport Beach , California

☆ Subway announces a new price for footlongs as it enters the value menu wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —It’s not $5, but Subway is bringing back cheap footlongs and joining the fast food value menu wars. Beginning August 26, Subway will sell any footlong sandwich for $6.99 — a steep discount considering that some footlongs can cost as much as $14 in some cities. It’s the privately held chain’s latest attempt at luring back customers who are balking at rising fast food prices and spending less when they do go out. Subway is owned by a private equity firm and doesn’t often reveal sales like its publicly traded rivals. Technomic data shows that Subway also lags in sales for sides and snacks compared to its competitors.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, ”, Burger, “, Doug Fry, Dippers, David Henkes, ” Henkes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks, Sidekicks, CNN Locations: New York, Subway North America, Technomic

☆ Starbucks’ CEO is out. Chipotle’s Brian Niccol is taking over
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan is stepping down immediately after just a year in the role, the company announced Tuesday. The struggling coffee chain has tapped Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol to be its new chairman and CEO, effective September 9. Starbucks’ stock soared more than 13% in premarket trading, while Chipotle’s dipped 8%. Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol is leaving the chain for Starbucks. From ChipotleStarbucks’ struggles reflect consumer fatigue with high prices at food chains, restaurants and stores after years of price hikes.

Persons: Laxman Narasimhan, Brian Niccol, Niccol, “ Brian, ”, Mellody Hobson, ” Narasimhan, Laxman, ” Hobson, Neil Saunders, ” Saunders, Saunders, Narasimhan’s, Howard Schultz, ” Schultz Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, Elliott Investment Management, GlobalData, Wall Street Locations: New York, Mexican, North America

What comes next could hinge on who gets to oversee labor relations after the election. The National Labor Relations Board — which polices unfair labor practices and mediates worker-management disputes — has become an aggressive union booster under Biden. While the agency’s policies typically shift depending on who’s in the White House, the change has been pronounced, labor experts and former NLRB staffers say. Before joining the law firm in 2022, White worked for a decade at a regional NLRB field office under the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. Last year, the NLRB overturned a 50-year precedent, requiring employers to recognize a union if most workers sign authorization cards for one.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, —, ”, Michael LeRoy, haven’t, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, ” LeRoy, “ Biden, Joel White, Fox Rothschild, White, Trump, Peter Robb, Jennifer Abruzzo, “ It’s, Rebecca Leaf, Ballard Spahr, Obama, Leaf, ” White, Kate Bronfenbrenner Organizations: National Labor Relations Board, Biden, NLRB, School of Labor, Employment, University of Illinois, Fox, Obama, Trump, “, Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Hollywood, United Auto Workers Locations: Detroit, Hollywood, University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign, Biden’s, Buffalo , New York

☆ Diageo sales slump as consumers ditch Johnnie Walker whisky and Casamigos tequila
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Diageo, one of the world’s biggest drinks makers, has reported its first drop in sales since the pandemic, as cash-strapped consumers cut back on spending. The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky, Casamigos tequila and Guinness beer is the latest consumer business to report a hit to sales as inflation and high interest rates take a bite out of household budgets. On Monday, McDonald’s (MCD) said global sales fell for the first time since 2020 as fewer customers visited the fast-food chain’s restaurants. Sales of Johnnie Walker fell by 2% globally, and by 10% in North America, the company’s largest region. That demand has since declined, while higher inflation and interest rates have left consumers with less to spend on luxuries.

Persons: Johnnie Walker, Burger, Debra Crew, George Clooney, Aarin, Hargreaves Lansdown, ”, Smirnoff, “ That’s, Pernod Ricard, Jameson, Tequila — Organizations: London CNN, Diageo, Starbucks, DEO, “, International Organisation of Vine Locations: America, Caribbean, North America, London

☆ Red Lobster may soon have a new owner
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Two months after filing for bankruptcy, Red Lobster is close to emerging with a new owner. Fortress is one of Red Lobster’s largest lenders and has financed the restaurant chain’s operations, including a new $100 million loan that allowed Red Lobster to stay afloat during its bankruptcy proceedings. Red Lobster has closed around 100 restaurants in recent months and has said it wants to close several dozen more locations. Mismanagement, competition, inflation and other factors brought down Red Lobster, which has been a pioneer in the restaurant industry. Red Lobster cut costs, removed longtime suppliers and implemented strategies that backfired, such as making $20 endless shrimp a permanent menu item.

Persons: Krystal, Logan’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Fortress Credit Corp, Thai Union’s, CNN, Thai Union, Union Locations: New York, Thai Union, Thai

☆ Chipotle’s CEO weighs in on the burrito bowl portion size debate
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Customers on social media have been furious with Chipotle for allegedly skimping on its burrito bowl portions this year. “First, there was never a directive to provide less to our customers,” CEO Brian Niccol said during an earnings call Wednesday. In June, a Wells Fargo analyst ordered and weighed 75 Chipotle burrito bowls with white rice, black beans, chicken, pico de gallo, cheese and lettuce across eight Chipotle locations in New York City. The bowls weighed roughly the same for in-store orders and online orders, but some locations served bowls that weighed 33% more than other locations. Some burrito bowls went to extremes, with one topping out at 27 ounces in one location, and a meager 14 ounces in another.

Persons: Chipotle, Brian Niccol, ” Niccol, pico de, ” Niccols, Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: New, New York CNN Locations: New York, Wells, New York City

☆ Stop & Shop is closing 32 locations. Here’s where
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Stop & Shop is closing 32 underperforming grocery stores across the US northeast as part of the company’s efforts to improve its financial performance. Shoppers are also being squeezed by higher prices at the grocery store, with food prices experiencing modest upticks last month, according to the newest inflation report. Ahold Delhaize, the chain’s Dutch parent company, revealed the locations Friday adding that they will close in early November. Stop & Shop said it “remains committed to serving its communities through other store locations, online shopping and home delivery services.” Employees impacted by the closures will be offered other opportunities in the company. In addition to operating Stop & Shop, Ahold Delhaize owns Food Lion and Giant grocery stores in the US.

Persons: ”, Gordon Reid, Ahold Delhaize, Albertson’s, “, Delhaize, Newton, Jackson, Johnston, Pittman Organizations: New, New York CNN, Aldi, Kroger, Federal Trade Commission, ” Employees, Food, Here’s, St, Stamford, Plymouth St, Needham St, Highway, Boston Turnpike, Cooley St, Paterson, Edison, Howell, Phillipsburg, Fulton, Sanford, West Haverstraw Rhode, Pittman St Locations: New York, Dutch, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Ansonia, Danbury, Bridgeport, Milford, High, Torrington Massachusetts, North Montello St, Brockton, Plymouth, Halifax, Needham, St, Pembroke, Raynham, Shrewsbury, Cooley, Springfield, Lincoln St . Worcester New Jersey, Franklin Township, County, Piscataway, Richmond, Pleasant Beach, Ringwood New York, Brooklyn, Hempstead Turnpike, East, ., Hempstead, Mt, Vernon, West Haverstraw, Providence, Eastside

☆ Dollar General has 48 hours to make its stores safer or it will face big fines
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Dollar General will also reduce merchandise levels in stores to prevent blocked fire exits. The agreement also requires Dollar General to correct any safety violations related to blocked exits or access to fire extinguishers and electrical panels within 48 hours. Dollar General could face fines up to $500,000 per violation. Last year, the Labor Department agreed to a settlement with Dollar Tree to improve worker safety in stores. Dollar General is the fastest-growing retailer in the United States, with more than 19,000 small stores.

Persons: ” Douglas Parker Organizations: New, New York CNN —, Department of Labor, Labor Department, Department of, Safety, Health, Walmart, Target Locations: New York, United States

☆ The Beastie Boys Sue Chili’s Over Use of ‘Sabotage’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Orlando Mayorquín | More About Orlando Mayorquín | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Beastie Boys sued Chili’s Grill & Bar in federal court on Wednesday, accusing the restaurant chain’s main operator of infringing on their copyright of the 1994 hit “Sabotage” by using it in advertisements without permission. According to the complaint, Brinker International, which operates more than 1,600 Chili’s and other restaurants worldwide, rolled out promotional videos on social media beginning in November 2022 that used significant portions of the song and parodied its music video, directed by Spike Jonze. The music video playfully pays homage to 1970s television crime dramas and features a fictitious opening credit scene and the group’s members dressed in fake wigs, mustaches and sunglasses of the era. In the Chili’s video advertisement, three characters dressed in similar ’70s attire rob ingredients from a Chili’s restaurant scored to the sound of “Sabotage,” said the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Persons: Brinker, Spike Jonze, ” Organizations: Beastie Boys, Chili’s Grill, Bar, Brinker International, Southern, of Locations: U.S, of New York

☆ Markets unfazed as Donald Trump has much better debate night than Joe Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

London CNN —President Joe Biden had a shaky performance in last night’s presidential debate, triggering panic in the Democrat camp. Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, repeated multiple falsehoods while doubling down on his record of cutting taxes and hiking tariffs during his first presidential term. If repeated in a second Trump term, many economists fear that kind of agenda could stoke inflation at a critical moment and add to America’s rapidly growing debt mountain. That could pull the typical year-end election relief rally forward, said Ed Clissold, chief US strategist at Ned Davis Research. The US dollar has also been reactive — it edged higher as initial CNN polling found that Trump was viewed as the winner of the debate.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, shrugged, ”, Keith Lerner, Barack Obama, Trump, Lerner, Ed Clissold, Ned Davis, Antonio Ernesto Di Giacomo, “, Goldman Sachs ’ Scott Rubner, Jonas Goltermann, Emmanuel Macron, Katie Nixon, France’s, CDK, Ramishah Maruf, Eva Rothenberg, aren’t, they’ve, Scott Campbell, CNN they’ve, Jordan Valinsky, Tim Wentworth Organizations: London CNN, Democrat, Trump, “, Biden, Ned, Ned Davis Research, Investors, Capital Economics, CNN, Renaissance, Northern Trust Wealth Management, CAC, CDK, Auto, Capital City Buick GMC, Bloomberg, Walgreens Locations: France, “, North America, United States, Canada, Berlin , Vermont, Eastern Europe, America

☆ Walgreens Plans ‘Significant’ Store Closures, Citing Weak Consumer Spending
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Danielle Kaye | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The pharmacy chain also cut its profit outlook for the year, citing worse-than-expected consumer spending. “We witness continued pressure on the U.S. consumer,” Tim Wentworth, the chief executive of Walgreens Boots Alliance, told investors during an earnings call on Thursday. “Our customers have become increasingly selective and price-sensitive in their purchases.”As of February, Walgreens has closed 625 U.S. stores. The company did not specify how many additional stores it would close as part of its “significant multiyear” program to cut back on costs. But roughly a quarter of the pharmacy chain’s U.S. stores — those that the company doesn’t see as crucial to its long-term strategy — could be affected, Mr. Wentworth said.

Persons: “, Tim Wentworth, Wentworth Organizations: Walgreens, Walgreens Boots Alliance Locations: United States

☆ Walgreens will close a ‘significant’ number of its 8,600 US locations
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Walgreens is set to close a substantial number of its roughly 8,600 locations across the United States as the company looks to reset the struggling pharmaceutical chain’s business. The company didn’t announce a specific number of store closures, but it said Thursday that it is planning “significant” closures of underperforming stores across America as part of a multiyear optimization program. The closures would focus on locations that aren’t profitable, too close to each other or stores struggling with theft, Wentworth told the Journal. Major drugstore chains, including CVS (CVS) and Rite Aid, have struggled in recent years because of declining profits from filling prescriptions. Wentworth told the Journal it’s losing money on filling those prescriptions.

Persons: Tim Wentworth, Wentworth, “, ” Wentworth, ” Neil Saunders, GlobalData, ” Saunders, drugstores, hasn’t, – CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, Wall Street Journal, Journal, Walgreens ’, CVS, Rite, Amazon, Target, Rite Aid Locations: New York, United States, America, drugstores, VillageMD

☆ Perkins, the aging diner chain, has a ‘new vibe’ with a different name
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“We felt this was a more modern, fresh and relevant vibe to start connecting with new consumers, while also servicing our guests that are tried-and-true Perkins loyalists.”A rendering of a new Perkins American Food Co., which will debut later this year. Aria Group and Perkins American Food Co. Aria Group and Perkins American Food Co.“We know that value is so critical right now and we’re very mindful of that,” she said. The firm is investing in the classic American brand that’s been marred with financial issues, including two bankruptcies, following a disastrous 2006 merger with Marie Callender’s. “We really feel that this iteration of ‘Perkins American Food Co.’ is going to marry tradition and innovation and keep us true to who we are,” she said.

Persons: Perkins, Toni Ronayne, “, ” Ronayne, Ronayne, It’s, ”, David Henkes, Baby, Marie Callender’s, “ Perkins, it’s, ‘ Organizations: New, New York CNN —, Perkins, “ Perkins, Food Co, CNN, Perkins American Food Co, Aria, Dine Brands, Baby Boomers, Ascent Hospitality Management, Watch, ‘ Perkins Locations: New York, Orlando , Florida, Cincinnati , Ohio

☆ Are We Loving Our Pets to Death?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Linda Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Pets are more popular than ever. The pet population in India hit 31 million in 2021, up from 10 million in 2011. And our pets are becoming ever more like us — or at least, that seems to be our goal. Now some animal welfare ethicists and veterinary scientists are wondering if, in our efforts to humanize our pets, we’ve gone too far. The more we treat pets like people, they argue, the more constrained and dependent on us our pets’ lives have become, and the more health and behavioral issues our pets develop.

Persons: ”, Annie McCall, we’ve Organizations: American Pet Products Association Locations: Europe, India, Seattle

☆ How Carvel’s Fudgie the Whale became a Father’s Day icon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Whiskey, steaks and ties are all typical gifts for Father’s Day, but one specifically made for the holiday takes the cake: Fudgie the Whale. Ice cream cakes quickly flew off the shelves, first created in the mid-1950s, and twenty years later he thought of making a cake for Father’s Day. Fudgie helped Father’s Day become Carvel’s busiest day of the year for buying cakes, Salerno said. Fudgie’s popularity extends beyond Father’s Day, Salerno said, popular for other occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, too. The Fudgie family expanded this year with the introduction of Fudgie Pops, which are mini Fudgie cake pops on a stick.

Persons: Father’s, Tom Carvel, Fudgie, Jim Salerno, Carvel, Salerno, ” Salerno, ”, David Henkes, Baskin Robbins, Anne’s, Cookie, “ It’s, Santa Claus, “, It’s, Guy, Kelly Ripa, Kelly, Mark ”, he’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Father’s, CNN, Dairy, Focus, “, New York Mets ’, Yankees Locations: New York, Father’s, Technomic, East Coast, Santa, Salerno

☆ Trader Joe’s tiny coolers are selling like hot cakes. Why and how do products go viral?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But now “you can have it all happen instantly across the whole country.”Success strikes twiceThis isn’t even the first time little Trader Joe’s bags have gone viral. Because Trader Joe’s doesn’t boast much of an official online presence, “I’ve kind of taken on that role” with those pages, she said. A Trader Joe's mini tote bag is shown in Palmyra, N.J., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. “It’s always a surprise.”The chain’s unusually loyal fanbase is eager for more Trader Joe’s branded merchandise, TikToker Heskett said, but Trader Joe’s doesn’t offer much of that. “You can’t buy a Trader Joe’s hat, you can’t buy a Trader Joe’s sweatshirt,” she said.

Persons: Thaddeus Yan, Joe’s, Yan, Stanley, “, Colin Campbell, Joe doesn’t, Talia Heskett, Joe’s Talia ”, Heskett, She’s, Christy Vetere, ”, Tara Miller, “ I’m, Christina Paciolla, Matt Sloan, Miller, Joe’s hasn’t, Jonah Berger, ” Berger, Lindsey Nicholson, G Yan, “ It’s, TikToker Heskett Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, University of San, Facebook, ”, tote, CNN, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Nike, Variety, Trader Joes, Getty, G Locations: New York, London, University of San Diego’s, Vetere, Palmyra, N.J, Queens , New York

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