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☆ From the McRib to the Choco Taco, here are 6 foods we lost in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Chili’s Original Chicken TendersChili's replaced its Original Chicken Crispers with something crispier, as pictured here. Honest TeaRIP Honest Tea. Weeks after Coke’s announcement, the founders of Honest Tea launched another bottled iced tea drink called Eat the Change. Wendy’s Vanilla FrostyWendy's vanilla Frosty will come back eventually. Let’s be clear: the Vanilla Frosty isn’t gone for good.

☆ Starbucks workers at 100 stores are planning three-day strike starting on Friday amid union push
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Starbucks workers around the U.S. are planning a three-day strike starting Friday as part of their effort to unionize the coffee chain’s stores. More than 1,000 baristas at 100 stores are planning to walk out, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labor group organizing the effort. On Nov. 17, workers at 110 Starbucks stores held a one-day walkout. Tambellini said workers are protesting understaffed stores, poor management and what she calls Starbucks’ “scorched earth method of union busting,” including closing stores that have unionized. Workers United noted that Starbucks recently closed the first store to unionize in Seattle, the company’s hometown.

☆ Russia’s McDonald’s successor replacing Big Mac with ‘Big Hit’
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Starved of Big Macs since McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) closed its Russian restaurants in March, Russians will from next year be treated to an alternative from the burger chain’s successor - the "Big Hit". Vkusno & tochka, or "Tasty & that's it", on Monday said the Big Hit would be available from February and a similar product to the McDonald’s Happy Meal would be making a comeback as "Kids' Combo". McDonald's closed its Russian restaurants soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February, eventually selling to a local licensee, Alexander Govor, who unveiled the new brand in June. Since acquiring Russia's McDonald's restaurants, Govor has snapped up Finnish packaging company Huhtamaki's (HUH1V.HE) Russian business and a logistics firm, set to be renamed "Logistics & that's it". Some Vkusno & tochka restaurants had to take fries off the menu earlier this year when faced with a potato shortage.

☆ Fact Check-Red Krampus-design coffee cup created by tattoo artist, not Starbucks, in 2015
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

One Facebook user said: “I don’t participate in Starbucks coffee. Starbucks coffee cups just in time for christmas... A spokesperson for Starbucks told Reuters via email that “this is not a Starbucks cup, nor a cup that we’ve had”. I’m a professional tattoo artist and one day I had a customer reschedule their appointment with me. It was created by an American tattoo artist in 2015.

☆ How and where to use your travel points for a ski vacation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Jennifer Yellin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Marriott Bonvoy ski vacation hotelsOf the three major hotel chains in the US, Marriott has the largest number of properties catered toward ski vacations. Points required: A Category 7 property, requiring 25,000 to 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Points required: A Category 6 property, requiring 21,000 to 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Points required: A Category 7 property, requiring 25,000 to 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Points required: A Category 6 property, requiring From 21,000 to 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

☆ Family Dollar is a mess. It hopes lowering prices will help
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —Family Dollar has lost ground in the dollar store race for years. “Family Dollar, from a pricing perspective, is in the best position in more than a decade.”The strategy appears to be working so far: Last quarter, foot traffic to Family Dollar stores increased for the first time in three years. Dollar Tree bought Family Dollar in 2014 for almost $9 billion, but these problems started before the acquisition, according to analysts. Some Wall Street investors have pressed Dollar Tree to sell Family Dollar. And new “H2” Family Dollar stores showcasing special Dollar Tree $1.25 merchandise sections and more freezers and refrigerators than traditional Family Dollar stores.

☆ Starbucks closes location that was the first to unionize in Seattle
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —Starbucks is closing the store in Seattle where employees were the first to vote to form a union in the chain’s home city. It’s not the first time Starbucks has pointed to safety concerns to explain a closure. “This is the most clear-cut case of retaliation this company has shown closing a union store yet,” Starbucks Workers United said in a statement on the closure. They lack respect not only for the rights of their workers, but for the law of this country.”Starbucks is closing the first Seattle location to vote to unionize. Last week, Starbucks workers across the country went on a one-day strike to protest what they see as retaliation for unionizing efforts.

☆ Starbucks union to strike at more than 100 locations on Red Cup Day, one of the chain’s busiest days of the year
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Workers at more than 100 unionized Starbucks locations plan to strike on Thursday, one of the chain’s biggest sales days of the year. The giveaway on the coffee chain’s Red Cup Day has become a must-have for collectors, and this year’s event marks its 25th anniversary. It’s the largest collective action Starbucks Workers United has taken so far in its organizing push over the past year. Over the past 12 months, roughly 260 company-owned Starbucks locations have voted to unionize under Workers United, an affiliate of Service Employees International Union. But Starbucks Workers United contend the company hasn’t been bargaining in good faith.

☆ Shoppers are pulling back at Macy’s and Kohl’s
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

That’s squeezing Macy’s, Kohl’s, Target and other chains. Macy’s (M) sales dropped 3.1% last quarter from a year ago, while Kohl’s (KSS) tanked 6.9%. “Consumers are showing increasing signs of stress and pulling back from discretionary purchases,” Target CEO Brian Cornell said on an earnings call. Although Macy’s own store sales fell 4.4% last quarter, Bloomingdale’s sales grew 5.3% and Bluemercury’s increased 14%. Macy’s stock gained 12% Thursday as the results exceeded analysts’ forecasts.

☆ Investors Cool on Internet-of-Things Startups, a Tech Conduit for Retailers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Angus Loten | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Slumping markets have investors pulling back from funding startups that make internet-connected devices for retailers, threatening to choke an innovation pipeline for emerging tools like smart shopping carts and inventory management robots. Total venture-capital funding for startups developing IoT technology specifically for retailers is on pace to drop 65.1% from 2021 to $188.2 million by the end of the year—one of the hardest hit subsectors in the IoT market, the firm said. Like most commercial software applications, connected devices in recent years have become an integral part of retailers’ day-to-day operations. He said the company would continue to invest in these and other tech tools that help customers, despite tougher economic conditions. IoT technology is critical for the food company, Mr. Basu said, because it also enables Goya to implement cybersecurity projects in its plants.

☆ Restaurant sales are going up. But dining out is on the decline
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Restaurant traffic is dipping as consumers make food at home. In that month, traffic at fast food restaurants fell 1.2%, dipped 1.7% for fast casual and dropped 4.7% in full service eateries. Fast food traffic bounced back slightly in September and October, but fast casual and full service traffic remained negative. Restaurant prices increased by 8.6%. But groceries are generally cheaper than restaurant meals.

☆ Gap Inc. launches its store on Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNNBusiness —Gap announced Thursday that it has officially launched its store on Amazon. While shoppers were able to buy Gap merchandise on Amazon previously through third-party sellers, the new partnership with Amazon Fashion marks the first time that Gap itself is selling its products on the online marketplace. The items, available for purchase beginning today on Amazon US and Amazon Canada, include the basics that Gap is known for — hoodies, T-shirts, denim, socks, underwear and sleepwear for adults, kids and infants. Gap (GPS) Inc. said its Amazon store will also include Baby Gap (GPS)-branded items such as nursery furniture, strollers, bassinets and cribs. None of the Gap items are exclusive to Amazon (AMZN), however, and will also be available for purchase in Gap stores and on Gap.com.

☆ Hedge-Fund Manager Who Helped Expose Luckin Coffee’s Fraud Bets on Chinese Chain’s Comeback
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Jing Yang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

China’s Luckin Coffee chain, which emerged from bankruptcy in March, is now controlled by Beijing-based private-equity firm Centurium Capital. A hedge-fund manager who secretly wrote a scathing report in 2020 that accused Luckin Coffee Inc. of accounting fraud is now backing the Chinese chain, calling it “a miracle in China’s business history.”Snow Lake Capital, a Beijing-based hedge fund founded and run by Sean Ma , has bought a minority stake in Luckin and is betting that the formerly Nasdaq-listed company’s valuation will surge, the investor said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Monday.

CNN —“Mattress Mack” had reason to celebrate the Houston Astros’ World Series win on Saturday – and not just because he’s an Astros superfan. Houston furniture store owner Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” made a series of bets amounting to $10 million on the Astros to win the World Series. The Houston Astros celebrate their World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, November 5. Peña was awarded the World Series MVP for his stellar play during the series. He is just the second rookie to be named LCS and World Series MVP in the same postseason.

☆ 'Blockbuster' star Randall Park reflects on what video rental stores meant to his immigrant family
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Randall Park’s new show, which centers around the last remaining video rental Blockbuster store, is — in many ways — a perfect project for the actor. There are also small nods to the way in which certain demographics would see the rental stores. / NetflixPark said the moment harkens back to memories of his own immigrant parents frequenting small video rental stores in Los Angeles’ Koreatown. The cultural safe space that the rental stores provided were significant, he said. “I do feel like video rental was definitely a part of our lives well after it stopped being mainstream,” he remembered.

☆ Starbucks waits stubbornly in China queue
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Nov 4 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Howard Schultz is patiently sipping on a salted caramel Americano while he stubbornly waits for the slow drip in Shanghai. The Starbucks (SBUX.O) boss on Thursday unveiled 3% revenue growth, to $8.4 billion, for the three months through Oct. 2 despite the top line falling 20% in China because of the country’s zero-Covid policy. North America generated nearly all of Starbucks’ operating income, helping bridge what Schultz calls the “nonlinear” recovery in China. Shareholders seem ready to bide their time, too, imputing a healthy multiple of 25 times expected earnings at Starbucks. With limited growth options elsewhere, Starbucks may have little choice but to double down there.

Others have ground to a halt, sending companies back to technology that is less sci-fi, but can be deployed more quickly and cost-effectively. Some companies are satisfied their robots are doing the job. The perils of the outdoors are a big problem for delivery robots, in particular. Some people have also raised concerns that delivery robots could block wheelchair access on sidewalks or otherwise get in the way of humans, leading local authorities to limit or prohibit their use. Toronto, for example, last December banned delivery robots.

☆ National Sandwich Day has chains serving up sandwich deals today
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

November 3rd marks National Sandwich Day (yes, it’s a thing.) But even though National Sandwich Day is still not an actual holiday, plenty of restaurant chains are doling out deals and freebies on sandwich orders. Popeyes: Buy one Chicken Sandwich combo (classic or spicy) and get a second sandwich free through the chain’s app or website. Jersey Mike’s Sub: Customers can get free delivery on their sandwich order through the app. McAlister’s Deli: The restaurant chain is offering a buy one, get one free sandwich promotion today for its reward program members.

☆ As prices soar, consumers turn to McDonald’s
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —Inflation is relentlessly high and food prices in particular are soaring. In the third quarter, McDonald’s US prices were up about 10% year-over-year on average. McDonald's prices were up about 10% year-over-year in the third quarter. Some might also be trading down to McDonald’s from more expensive chains or restaurants as menu prices increase at a slower clip than prices in grocery stores. “We feel very good about … McDonald’s value proposition,” said CEO Chris Kempczinski during the call.

☆ Chipotle’s Increase in Burrito Prices Contributes to Store-Sales Boost
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Chipotle says it has raised prices several times in the past 12 months. Chipotle Mexican Grill said consumer demand remained strong for its burritos and bowls even after it raised prices again in recent months, though the chain’s chief executive said inflation is wearing on some consumers. The burrito chain said Tuesday its same-store sales grew 7.6% in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with the same period last year. Higher prices helped drive some of the increase, with its average menu prices 13% higher compared with the same period last year, the company said.

☆ This is Gen Z’s favorite restaurant, survey says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —It’s been a good year for Chick-fil-A – a recent survey ranked it as Gen Z’s top restaurant, with 15% of respondents listing it as their favorite choice. The annual Piper Sandler study surveyed 14,500 teens in 47 states, whose average age was just under 16 years old (15.8 years old, to be exact.) Starbucks came in second at 12% of teens, followed by Chipotle (7%), McDonald’s (6%) and Olive Garden (3%). But that was primarily because it’s so popular that it has a lot of cars lined up for its meals. The chain’s support for anti-LGBTQ organizations and its opposition to same-sex marriage has been at the center of political debates and calls for boycotts.

☆ 16 best gifts for teen girls in 2022 for every occasion
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Zoe Malin | Zoe Malin Is The Associate Updates Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

While some teen girls make a wish list with the specific gifts they’re hoping to receive on special occasions, others aren't so transparent and leave you struggling to find the right present. Best gifts for teen girls in 2022Below, we rounded up some of the best gifts for teen girls this year. We recommended products from brands we’ve previously covered, as well as items we’ve used ourselves or think will appeal to a majority of teen girls, depending on their interests. Gift teens everything they need to do their nails at home with Olive & June’s Mani System. The set comes with a bra and bottoms, both of which are designed with fabric that has a ribbed finish to give the fabric texture.

☆ Edge Computing Helps Feed Taco Bell’s Digital Business
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Kim S. Nash | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Taco Bell is making aggressive use of edge computing to support the many digital ways customers can place orders, the fast-food chain’s head of technology said. PREVIEW“We took [on] our most critical workloads in order processing and menu data,” Mr. Parizher said. General Electric Co. and Siemens AG , for example, are using edge computing to optimize factory machines in real time. The Wall Street Journal's Steven Rosenbush, left, talks with Vadim Parizher, Taco Bell's vice president of technology, at an online event Thursday. With edge-computing foundations in place, he said, Taco Bell can experiment with connected robotic equipment that can fry food, warm up tortillas or pour drinks.

☆ Premarket stocks: The housing market is a mess, but this isn't 2008
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But within those reports, investors found ominous clues about the future of the housing market, underscoring fears of an upcoming crisis. “We’ve had a time of a red-hot housing market all over the country,” Fed President Jerome Powell told me in September. “For the longer term what we need is supply and demand to get better aligned so that housing prices go up at a reasonable level…and people can afford houses again. “This is the sharpest turn in the housing market since the housing market crash in 2008,” said Redfin’s chief economist, Daryl Fairweather, last month. What’s next: Investors will next look to housing starts data next week as an indicator of where the housing market is headed.

☆ Retail sales were flat in September as inflation takes a bite
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Retail sales were flat last month, down from a revised. Retail sales fell 0.4% in July. Excluding sales of automobiles and at gas stations, retail sales rose 0.3%. Sales at clothing stores rose 0.5%, while business at department stores rose 1.3% That indicates a solid back-to-school season but adjusted for inflation, spending was modest, analysts said. AlixPartners predicts holiday sales to be up anywhere from 4% to 7% from last year, which was up 16%, according to its calculations.

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