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When we've been awake for a long time, our sleep drive kicks in and tells us we need to sleep. During REM sleep, the cortex – responsible for cognition and emotion-processing – is activated in some regions and deactivated in others. After cycling through non-REM and REM sleep around 4 to 5 times, the basal forebrain and other structures receive signals to start exiting sleep. WHEN SLEEP GOES WRONGIn the U.S. alone, 50 to 70 million people experience some type of chronic sleep disorder, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). In the United States, a list of board-certified sleep medicine physicians and accredited sleep disorders centers is available from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

☆ Read the full memo: McDonald's outlines plans for layoffs and shift in strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Gloria Dawson | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

McDonald's offices will be temporarily closed as the company prepares for layoffs, according to an internal memo. This week, employees will learn more about the fate of their employment. Read the full memo:Headlines for the Week of April 3AlI U.S.-based McDonald's offices, including MHO, will be closed April 3-5 and employees should work remotely. AlI U.S.-based employees who work from an office location may work remotely for the duration of the week of April 3. AlI U.S.-based McDonald's offices, including MHQ, are closed April 3-5 and employees should work remotely.

☆ McDonald's is selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one test market. I tried them — and they're not as good as the freshly made ones
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Ben Tobin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

McDonald's is selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts at 160 locations in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. I decided to try doughnuts from both the Krispy Kreme shop and McDonald's to see how they compared. Here's what I found testing Krispy Kreme doughnuts, as sold by McDonald's, versus one from a nearby Krispy Kreme shop. Pro: The doughnut was available quickly at McDonald'sI received my Krispy Kreme doughnut upon purchasing in less than a minute. Con: The McDonald's doughnut cost more than the one sold directly by Krispy KremeThe Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut cost 53 cents less than the same item from McDonald's.

☆ 'I'd really prefer it if he stayed out of our way': Starbucks union organizers lash out at CEO's promise to work behind the counter
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Aidan Pollard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Starbucks' new CEO Laxman Narasimhan announced he'll spend a half-day every month pulling coffees. Seven Starbucks stores announced they have begun the unionization process Thursday. During the annual Starbucks shareholder meeting Thursday, Starbucks Workers United announced seven new stores had filed for union elections. Workers at those stores said they hope the move shows that the labor movement at Starbucks isn't lost on Middle America. "Union Starbucks partners are here to stay."

☆ New Starbucks CEO says he'll work a half-day behind a store counter monthly as he plans to prioritize 'human connection over every cup of coffee'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In his letter, obtained by Insider, he said there's an opportunity "for a refounding of Starbucks" by prioritizing "human connection over every cup of coffee." Though he didn't mention the ongoing movement to unionize Starbucks stores, Narasimhan repeatedly discussed the "partner" experience. Nearly 300 Starbucks stores nationwide have voted to unionize. Laxman Narasimhan officially took over as CEO of Starbucks on March 20. He ended the letter by saying one thing that won't change – how employees greet customers: "How may we serve you today?"

☆ Dunkin' rolls out breakfast tacos as competition heats up for fast food morning grub
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Dunkin' added breakfast tacos to its menu on March 22. The move comes as McDonald's expanded its test of serving Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Kentucky. Today, Dunkin' launched breakfast tacos for under $3 each. At a December investor day conference, Taco Bell CEO Mark King announced plans to compete with McDonald's at breakfast and lunch. Wendy's, which introduced a new breakfast menu three years ago, told Nation's Restaurant News this month that breakfast sales have surpassed sales targets of $3,000 per week per restaurant.

☆ Starbucks' olive oil-infused coffee drinks are making their US debut despite some skepticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Last month, Starbucks launched a new line of olive oil-infused coffee and espresso drinks in Italy. Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in Chicago, Seattle, and New York will be the first stores to offer the olive oil elixirs. Reserve stores like the chain's new Empire State Building location sell premium coffee and espresso drinks. Dousing your morning brew with olive oil may sound unappetizing to some. The Delish food site said the Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso was a terrific choice for iced coffee fans.

☆ Candida auris fungus spreading in U.S. hospitals - CDC
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FollowMarch 21 (Reuters) - Potentially deadly fungal infections with Candida auris are spreading rapidly in U.S. healthcare facilities, with cases nearly doubling between 2020 and 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. A high fever with chills that does not get better after taking antibiotics may be a sign of Candida auris infection. The CDC noted that spread of the infections in 2021 may have been exacerbated as the healthcare system was hit by pandemic-related stressors, such as staff and equipment shortages. Other countries have also reported increased spread of the fungus, the researchers said. Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; editing by Caroline Humer, Nancy Lapid and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ DoorDash customers can now pay with cash for some pizza and other food deliveries just like in the old days
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

That policy changes this week with the launch of Cash on Delivery for DoorDash's white label delivery service, DoorDash Drive, DoorDash announced Tuesday. While Cash on Delivery is available to any restaurant using DoorDash Drive, DoorDash said pizza and Chinese restaurants have been early adopters of Cash on Delivery during testing. DoorDash said Cash on Delivery is only available for restaurants using DoorDash Drive because those merchants specifically requested a cash option as many customers expect flexible payment methods. "Customers coming to DoorDash expect to pay with credit card, opposed to with cash," DoorDash told Insider. As such, DoorDash said its white-label delivery service could be an attractive option for pizza operators looking for a delivery service that now also accepts cash.

☆ Here's the method Chick-fil-A workers use to keep their cool with angry customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

At Chick-fil-A, a doc says employees are trained to show compassion to "recover unsatisfied guests." Workers are told to focus on de-escalating tough situations using the HEARD model. This training document tells Chick-fil-A workers how to "recover" unhappy customers. Insider sourceArthur Greeno, one of the few multiunit Chick-fil-A franchisees in the US, wrote a LinkedIn article about the HEARD model in 2021. Are you a Chick-fil-A insider with insight to share?

☆ Meet Laxman Narasimhan, a coffee industry outsider who just took over as CEO of Starbucks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Avery Hartmans | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Laxman Narasimhan officially took over as Starbucks CEO, replacing Howard Schultz. Narasimhan is new to the coffee industry, having started his career in the consulting world before joining PepsiCo, and, later, British consumer goods company Reckitt Benckiser. Narasimhan built his career in the beverage and consumer-goods industriesLaxman Narasimhan at Starbucks Investor Day in September 2022. Starbucks said at the time that Narasimhan would begin as CEO on April 1, taking over for interim CEO Schultz. Of the 365 Starbucks stores that have held votes to unionize, 292 have voted to form a union.

☆ I ate at Dave's Hot Chicken and saw why this is the fastest-growing chain in the US – but I had to draw the line at the palate-scorching Reaper, which requires signing a waiver
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Overall, the jumbo tenders and the graffiti wall murals are the showstoppers at Dave's. The chain's made-to-order foods are prepared with high-quality ingredients. It reminds me of the early days of Shake Shack, one of the best better burger chains in the US. I expect Dave's to grow its fan base as it builds its hot fried chicken empire around the US. Nancy Luna/Insider

☆ Subway will sell 50% discounts for its footlong sandwiches to app users — and they could sell out within hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Subway is bringing back its Footlong Pass subscription program. Passes will be available on the chain's app, which has seen a surge in downloads lately, as well as online. And, they're about to surge even more as the chain plans to bring back its wildly popular $15 Footlong Pass deal. One million Subway app downloads in a monthAccording to app intelligence firm Apptopia, Subway's menu overhaul, and recent promotions are causing a surge in app downloads. McDonald's (3.2 million downloads) and Starbucks (1.3 million downloads) came in at No.

☆ Chick-fil-A will force rewards members to spend more money to get free food, following in the footsteps of Starbucks and Dunkin'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Chick-fil-A is making changes to its rewards program on April 4. Consumers will have to spend more to earn free perks on select items. And like Chipotle, Starbucks, and Dunkin', consumers will have to spend more to earn free perks on select menu items. Chick-fil-A websiteCurrently, the Chick-fil-A One program has multiple tiers for redeeming free food and drinks. In October 2022, getting a free coffee through the Dunkin' Rewards program increased to 500 points, or $50 of spending, compared to the previous $40.

☆ No, 'Stranger Things' star Noah Schnapp didn't open his own restaurant. It's the latest 'virtual brand' offering from IHOP.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Thousands of virtual brands continue to flood delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. IHOP is launching a third delivery-only brand – a chicken menu by a "Stranger Things" star. Partnering with Noah Schnapp and Nextbite were a seamless fit to meet the consumer target for our newest Virtual Brand." Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp helped create a virtual chicken menu for IHOP. Nextbite's other celebrity-backed virtual brands include Packed Bowls by Wiz Khalifa and 'Wichcraft sandwiches by Tom Colicchio.

☆ Pregnancy-related deaths in US surged during pandemic - CDC
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Mariam Esunny | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The United States has one of the highest rates of pregnancy-related deaths among developed countries. It recorded more than 1,200 deaths in pregnant women in 2021, compared with 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019, according to CDC data. About 32.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births were reported in 2021, compared with 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 and 20.1 in 2019. The mortality rate for Black women in the United States was at 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, about 3 times higher than white and Hispanic women. UN agencies reported last month that nearly all parts of the world saw a spike in maternal mortality rates in 2020.

☆ Restaurants and hotels are driving US job economy. Here are thousands of open roles as the hospitality sector offsets steep staffing cuts in big tech.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Danni Santana | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The leisure and hospitality sector continues to drive US job gains, the Labor Department said. Still, the US Travel Association estimates about 2 million open roles in leisure and hospitality. The leisure and hospitality sector encompasses restaurants, hotels, arts, entertainment such as theme parks, and other tourism-oriented businesses. Overall, the US Travel Association estimates about 2 million open roles remain unfilled in leisure and hospitality. Here's a look at who is hiring in restaurants and hospitality at large chains.

☆ Former Domino's CEO bought nearly $4,000 worth of pizza in a year
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Grace Mayer | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Former Domino's CEO Ritch Allison bought $3,919 worth of pizza in 2021, the Financial Times found. The former CEO was compensated for a nearly $4,000 personal pizza expense, the Financial Times reported, citing Domino's proxy filing from last year. As FT points out, the previous proxy shows Allison's nearly $4,000 in pizza in 2021 was relatively tame. During his tenure as CEO, Allison pushed innovation and a culture of risk-taking at the tech-forward company. Curious what $3, 919 gets you in Domino's pizza pies?

☆ Surge pricing is increasingly being used in restaurants and movie theaters, making everyday activities much more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Dynamic pricing is being used to set prices for activities beyond ridesharing and concert tickets. Experts warned businesses would most likely implement surge pricing in response to the pandemic. "This strikes me as outrageous for a pedestrian family activity," Yenni told the Journal. Insider previously reported that AI-driven dynamic pricing is making its way through business sectors like retail and grocery stores to keep up with changing market demands post-Covid. A startup meant to help restaurants set their own surge prices has also been created, and has helped some establishments double their profits, Insider's Nancy Luna reported.

☆ Grubhub is losing its second CEO in less than 2 years as owner explores sale of company
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A year after Just Eat Takeaway.com bought Grubhub, the European firm said it wanted to sell it. Grubhub is in great hands with Howard and the Grubhub leadership team, and I'm excited to watch the company continue to thrive." Over the years, Grubhub has struggled to find its footing in the hyper-competitive food delivery sector. 1 food delivery operator. In January 2018, Grubhub had 49% of the food delivery market, according to Bloomberg Second Measure.

☆ Chick-fil-A is making another attempt to crack the international market with a $1 billion investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

By going abroad, Chick-fil-A will compete with US-based rivals such as KFC and McDonald's, which have been in Asia for years. Chick-fil-A restaurants generate higher revenue per location than any other US chain. In the US, Chick-fil-A is the third largest restaurant chain, in terms of sales, according to market research firm Technomic. Only McDonald's and Starbucks generate more revenue than Chick-fil-A, which reported sales of $16.7 billion in 2021. Chick-fil-AIt's unclear how many restaurants the chain would build abroad, but it is targeting five international markets by 2030, Cathy told the Journal.

☆ Economists warn of costs if Medicare covers new obesity drugs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Nancy Lapid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

March 11 (Reuters) - The cost of expanding U.S. Medicare prescription drug coverage to pay for expensive, new obesity medications could be catastrophic, health economists warned in a report published on Saturday. Big-selling diabetes drugs have been repurposed as obesity treatments after demonstrating weight loss of more than 20% in clinical trials. While they are far more effective than older drugs, lifetime use might be required to keep lost weight off. But should the bipartisan The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act get reintroduced and passed by Congress, Medicare will be compelled to cover drugs for weight loss. The Medicare health program covers more than 60 million Americans, most over age 65.

☆ Disney's famous Dole Whip is no longer limited to theme parks as the pineapple treat heads to grocery stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Dole Whip soft-serve cup is an iconic treat made famous by Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Dole Packaged Foods said it is making its Dole Whip treat available nationwide in grocery stores. Dole Packaged Foods, the maker of the iconic Dole Whip, announced plans on March 3 to make the frozen treat available in supermarkets nationwide. Disneyland makes various versions of the Dole Whip treat. The food stand sells the original treats – Dole Whip and the Dole Whip Float – and several new concoctions, such as the Strawberry Dole Whip Sundae and a Chile-Mango Whip.

☆ In-N-Out debuts a new catering truck with mini-fries and mini-Double-Doubles on the menu
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In-N-Out Burger began catering events such as weddings and birthday parties in 1974. Owner Lynsi Snyder said mini-fries are on the menu of a new catering truck designed for kid events. A portion of the proceeds will support the chain's In-N-Out Burger Foundation, which assists children who have been victims of child abuse. The Esther Snyder Cookout Truck website does not provide any cost details for services. Catering costs for the regular Cookout Truck depend on the number and type of burgers sold at the event.

☆ New documentary reveals how Jared Fogle led a 'double life' as a 'puppet master' who committed child sex acts while pitching sandwiches for Subway
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Jared Fogle became Subway's pitchman after losing 245 pounds by mostly eating the chain's subs. He filmed over 300 ads for Subway before pleading guilty to child sex acts in 2015. Jared Fogle became a pop-culture icon after being tapped as the face of Subway in 2000. A random tip in 2015 finally exposed him as a child sex predator. Here are the most revealing highlights:Jared Fogle led a "double life," according to a documentary about his child sex crimes.

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