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☆ Freshly sliced meat and new store designs: How Subway is trying to save itself
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Subway scrambled to make fixes: Adding freshly sliced meat earlier this month was the most recent one. Revamped menuSubway added freshly sliced meat this week. In addition to a more neatly organized menu board, Subway added numbers and new names to speed up service. And this week, it rolled out freshly sliced meat — a major shift from Subway’s previous method of having the meat sliced at its factories before being delivered to its stores. Adding freshly sliced meat “felt like the natural step that we needed to get back to and address,” Trevor Haynes, president for Subway’s North America operations, previously told CNN.

Persons: that’s, –, Dunkin, Jimmy John’s, Anthony Behar, ” Trevor Haynes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Firehouse, Wall Street, Inspire Brands, Subway, North, QSR Magazine, Jersey, Apple, customizations, Subway’s North, CNN Locations: New York, Jersey, North America, Subway’s North America

☆ Premarket stocks: Does the Fed have the labor market all wrong?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —The labor market just won’t quit, but this could be another case of “good news is bad news” for the Federal Reserve. But while job growth is a sign of a healthy economy, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said that he wants to see more slack in the labor market in order to bring inflation down. But in April, the unemployment rate reached 3.4%, with the 12-month average of unemployment reaching a record low of 3.6%. Plus, the mass retirement of baby boomers, slowing of immigration rates and long-term health impacts of Covid have also permanently altered the labor market. Why it matters: These changes have led many economists to say that the labor market doesn’t matter anymore, said Kathryn Rooney Vera, chief market strategist at StoneX.

Persons: won’t, Jerome Powell, ”, Joe Brusuelas, Kathryn Rooney Vera, boomer, we’ve, “, Vera, Sam Stovall, Bryan Mena, Stovall, Jordan Valinsky Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Gross, RSM, Labor, Fed Fed, CFRA Research, Federal, CNN, Handil Holdings Locations: New York, “

☆ Jenny Craig is being revived online
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Weight loss brand Jenny Craig is getting a second lease on life. Jenny Craig went bust in May after more than 40 years in business because of growing competition from trendy diets and weight loss drugs like Ozempic. One major change is that Jenny Craig’s weight loss centers won’t be reopened, and the company will live entirely online. Jenny Craig was one of the pioneers of weight loss and diet programs. Named after its founder, the Jenny Craig business started when she couldn’t lose weight after giving birth to her second child.

Persons: Jenny Craig, Jenny, Brandon Adcock, Jenny Craig won’t, Jenny Craig’s Organizations: New, New York CNN Locations: New York

☆ Christmas Tree Shops is liquidating all of its stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ Subway is making another big change to its menu
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —To undercut its fast-growing rivals, Subway is making a big change to its meats. Subway locations currently fresh slice vegetables and freshly bakes bread and cookies daily. The makeover placed less of an emphasis on customization in favor of a “Subway Series” sandwich menu, which now accounts for 20% of sales. Average yearly sales at Subway US restaurants, however, are much lower compared to its sandwich business rivals. Subway is also up for sale, with Haynes saying that it’s “on track” for an imminent announcement, likely in mid-July.

Persons: Jimmy John’s, ” Trevor Haynes, Haynes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Jersey Mike’s, Subs, Subway’s North, CNN, Subway, QSR Magazine, North Locations: New York, Jersey, Subway’s North America, North America

☆ The strange history of Taco Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Regional chain Taco John’s owns the “Taco Tuesday” trademark, and last week it responded to a lawsuit from Taco Bell that aims to cancel the trademark. The story begins in the 1980s, when a Taco John’s restaurant owner coined the term “Taco Twosday” to advertise a deal of 99 cents for two tacos on its slowest day of the week. Since then, Taco John’s has defended its use of the phrase and sent cease-and-desist letters to others trying to use it. “We also recognize that the unauthorized use [of Taco Tuesday] is prolific, and we do our best to communicate ownership.”It’s not only Taco Bell that wants to eliminate the trademark. “This is not going to be something where Taco Bell is going to be able to declare victory anytime soon,” he said.

Persons: Taco, ”, Taco John’s, we’ve, Billie Jo Waara, “, ” It’s, Taco Bell, ’, Gregory, Josh Gerben, John’s, Gerben Organizations: New, New York CNN, “ Taco, Taco John’s, Taco, Gregory Hotel, Taco Bell, “, CNN Locations: New York, Taco Bell, Wyoming, California, New Jersey, —

☆ Sriracha sauce is selling for as much as $120 amid prolonged shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —The prolonged shortage of a certain red sauce is making the black market go wild. Prices of Sriracha sauce are as high as $70 on eBay as people look to snap up the spicy sauce. Huy Fong Foods, which makes the rooster-adorned bottled sauce, has been dealing with a years-long shortage of the chilis, which is hurting production and causing some shortages. At this time, we have no estimations of when supply will increase,” a Huy Fong spokesperson said. There’s been a shortage for the past three years, as Huy Fong has said that its chili peppers have consistently been in short supply.

Persons: Huy Fong, it’s, There’s, Fong’s, David Tran Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, Huy Fong Foods, CNN, Target, Foods Locations: New York, Huy

☆ Overstock.com is changing its name to Bed Bath & Beyond
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Anheuser-Busch hopes new ads will change the Bud Light conversation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Distributors are also facing financial difficulty because of a sharp decrease in Bud Light sales. Two marketing executives, Alissa Heinerscheid of Bud Light and Daniel Blake of A-B, have taken leaves of absences. In May, Mexican lager Modelo Especial dethroned Bud Light as America’s top-selling beer, a title that Bud had largely held for more than two decades. Bud Light sales plunged 24% during the four weeks ending June 3, according to NIQ data provided to consulting firm Bump Williams. Bud Light, however, remains the country’s top-selling beer so far this year.

Persons: Bud Light, “, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Mulvaney, Brendan Whitworth, Alissa, Daniel Blake of, ”, Whitworth, Marcel Marcondes, ” Marcondes, Bud, Bump Williams Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anheuser, Distributors, Bud Light, Beer Business, Busch, Bud, NFL, Human, Cannes Lions International, Modelo Especial Locations: New York, Houston, Jonesboro , Arkansas

☆ Diageo ends its 15-year partnership with Diddy following lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Spirits maker Diageo has cut ties with Sean “Diddy” Combs, ending a lucrative 15-year partnership that recently culminated in a racial discrimination lawsuit. The music mogul charged that Diageo had neglected and underpromoted his DeLeón tequila, dismissing it as an “urban” product in its marketing, in a suit filed last month. Diageo responded that he has “amassed nearly $1 billion dollars” from the partnership. Diageo and Combs have partnered on Ciroc vodka since 2007. In 2013, Combs bought DeLeón and formed a joint venture with Diageo for the high-end tequila.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Johnnie Walker, Diddy’s, Diddy, Diageo, Don Julio, George Clooney, “, Combs, Martha Stewart, DEO, ”, they’ve, John Hueston, Diageo “, ” Hueston, Josh Gerben, it’s “, ” Gerben Organizations: New, New York CNN, Diageo, CNN, Diageo “ kneecapped Locations: New York, London

☆ Pepsi made its first-ever condiment
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Typically, Pepsi is best with a hot dog… not on a hot dog. The beverage brand is making its first-ever condiment — called “Pepsi Colachup” — that is actually infused with Pepsi. Beginning with a Pepsi reduction, the sauce is infused with a variety of ingredients such as smoked tomatoes; a blend of spices including cinnamon, thyme, oregano and paprika; plus onions and ketchup. That results in a “sweet, citrusy taste” of a crisp-tasting Pepsi, created to bring out the spicy flavor notes of a hot dog, Danzi told CNN. The sauce is part of Pepsi’s two-year-old “Better with Pepsi” ad campaign, which ultimately hopes to chip away at Coca-Cola’s drink dominance.

Persons: Jenny Danzi, Danzi Organizations: New, New York CNN, Pepsi, Culinary Institute of America, CNN, Chase, Yankee, Comerica Park Locations: New York, Phoenix, Bronx, New York City, Target, Minneapolis, Detroit

☆ US flight delays: Severe storms snarl airlines' schedules
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

United Airlines was once again faring the worst of the American domestic airlines. Republic Airways, which operates short-haul flights for American Airlines, Delta and United, had 17% of its schedule canceled (153 flights) but few delays. More than 40 million people in the Northeast and Central Plains are at risk of severe storms on Tuesday. United CEO blames FAA staffing for “unprecedented” weekend delaysTuesday’s travel troubles are the fourth day in the row of delays and cancellations. The airline canceled 461 flights this past Saturday and Sunday and delayed another 1,972 flights, according to data from flight tracking site FlightAware.

Persons: that’s, John F, Kennedy, Boston’s Logan, ”, “, Scott Kirby, Kirby, ” Kirby, Department of Transportation “, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Airlines, Republic Airways, American Airlines, Jersey’s Newark Liberty, Storm Prediction, United, Federal Aviation Administration, CNN, FAA, Newark Liberty International Airport, Department of Transportation Locations: New York, United States, Delta, United, LaGuardia, Northeast, Central Plains, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wichita, Tulsa, New York , Delaware, Pennsylvania

☆ Starbucks promises ‘clearer’ guidelines after Pride Month decor clash with union
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Starbucks will clarify its policy on Pride decorations following criticism and strikes at unionized stores. Earlier this month, Starbucks Workers United, the union representing organized stores, claimed that Starbucks has restricted decorations celebrating Pride Month in locations in multiple states. Starbucks workers attend a rally outside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, Washington, on June 23, 2023. Starbucks workers outside of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. Matt Mills McKnight/ReutersThere are roughly 9,300 company-operated US Starbucks stores in the United States, so unionized locations are relatively few, at this point.

Persons: ” Sara Trilling, ” Trilling, Matt Mills McKnight, ”, “ We’re, Michael Rosas, “, Starbucks, Rosas, — CNN’s Jordan Valinsky Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, Starbucks Workers United, Reuters, National Labor Relations Board, CNN, Pride, Twitter, Starbucks Workers, NLRB Locations: New York, Starbucks North America, Seattle , Washington, United States, Buffalo , New York, Buffalo

☆ Taco John’s responds to Taco Bell’s Taco Tuesday lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The fight for the “Taco Tuesday” trademark is getting spicy. Taco John’s, a regional chain, has responded to Taco Bell’s effort to liberate the phrase so that anyone can use it. In a filing Friday, responding to Taco Bell’s petition to “cancel” the trademark, Taco John’s parent company Spicy Seasonings denied there is “anything ‘not cool’ about” obtaining a trademark for the phrase. Gerben expects that Taco John’s and Gregory Hotel will likely conduct their own investigation as to whether or not Taco Bell has been “attempting to assist other restaurants or celebrities to use Taco Tuesday in an attempt to invalidate their trademark rights,” perhaps with a similar customer survey. “This is not going to be something where Taco Bell is going to be able to declare victory anytime soon,” he said.

Persons: Taco, ”, Taco Bell, Taco John’s, “, infringers, Josh Gerben, Taco Bell “, John’s, Gregory, Gerben Organizations: New, New York CNN, US, Taco John’s, Taco, Taco Bell, infringers, CNN Locations: New York, John’s, Wyoming, New Jersey

☆ US flight delays: Severe storms batter airlines' schedules
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

United Airlines (UAL)was faring the worst of the American domestic airlines. About 7% of its schedule, or 222 flights, was canceled and another 12%, or 357 flights, was delayed as of noon ET. Delta (DAL) wasn’t far behind, with 4% (171 flights) of its schedule canceled and 10% (358 flights) delayed. The delays and cancellations come after thunderstorms battered parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and the Ohio Valley Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. Monday’s forecast also looks tough for travelers with 90 million people under threat of severe storms.

Persons: wasn’t, John F, Kennedy Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Airlines, Delta, DAL, Prediction, Jersey’s Newark Liberty, Hartsfield, Jackson Locations: New York, United States, Ohio, Arkansas , Tennessee , Mississippi, Arizona, Louisiana, New, LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Raleigh , North Carolina

☆ 150 Starbucks stores to strike over Pride decorations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Workers at about 150 unionized Starbucks stores in the United States are going on strike Friday over the coffee chain’s policy for Pride decorations in stores. Starbucks (SBUX) Workers United, the union representing organized stores, has claimed that Starbucks (SBUX) has restricted decorations celebrating Pride month in some locations, demonstrating a “hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers.” Starbucks (SBUX) has forcefully denied this claim. Starbucks said it is not aware of any company-owned stores that have banned Pride decorations. Starbucks Workers United says this is an example of Starbucks bowing to pressure, as Target did when moving or removing Pride merchandise from some stores. But, even if some individual managers have removed their Pride decorations, Starbucks corporate has not changed any merchandising or other policies.

Persons: ”, “ We’re Organizations: New, New York CNN — Workers, Workers, Starbucks, Starbucks Workers, US, Twitter, Pride Locations: New York, United States, Oklahoma , Arkansas, Missouri

☆ Bud Light rolls out new ad following the Dylan Mulvaney controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Bud Light is trying to revive its slumping brand with a new marketing campaign aimed at – appropriately – overcoming adversity. It shows people enjoying Bud Light despite facing some of summer’s biggest pain points, like sunburn or a sudden thunderstorm during a cook out. Bud Light | Easy to SummerThe new ad is a continuation of its “Easy to Drink, Easy to Enjoy” that made its debut during this year’s Super Bowl. That spot featured actor Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry dancing and relaxing at home with a Bud Light. Bud Light sales plunged 24% during the four weeks ending June 3, according to NIQ data provided to consulting firm Bump Williams.

Persons: Bud Light, Dylan, Bud, Bud Light’s, ’ backyards, Travis Kelce, Dak, It’s, Miles Teller, Keleigh Sperry, Alissa Heinerscheid, Todd Allen, Brendan Whitworth, ”, Marcel Marcondes, “, ” Marcondes, Bump Williams Organizations: New, New York CNN, YouTube, NFL, Anheuser, Busch, CNN, Busch InBev, Human, Cannes Lions International, Modelo Especial Locations: New York, Dak Prescott, Mulvaney

☆ Bed Bath & Beyond will live on — through Overstock.com
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Fans are just noticing that an iconic Good Humor ice cream treat no longer exists
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Not since last year’s disappearance of the Choco Taco have ice cream fans been this shocked. Good Humor confirmed that its Toasted Almond bar, the sweet treat that has been around since the 1960s, is no more. Good Humor, owned by Unilever (UL), actually axed the product in 2022, but customers are noticing just now as summer starts. The company’s account on Twitter has been replying to depressed customers’ complaints and relaying a similar statement. One person tweeted “just found out the good humor toasted almond bars have been discontinued and it has ruined my year” and another posted that Good Humor has “made the biggest mistake in history.”The Toasted Almond bar joins the Choco Taco, a popular dessert previously made by Klondike, in the ice cream graveyard.

Persons: New York CNN —, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Choco Taco, CNN, Unilever, UL, Twitter, Klondike Locations: New York, Choco

☆ Tito’s is trolling canned cocktails with a $200 empty keg
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Tito’s Handmade Vodka is elevating its war against canned cocktails. For $200, the vodka maker is selling a “Tito’s in a Big Can,” which is a 128-ounce empty mini-keg that encourages drinkers to make their own cocktails rather than giving into the “canformity” (their word) of canned cocktails. Tito's is trolling canned cocktails with an empty keg. Customers have been asking Tito’s to enter the canned cocktail space, Berry told CNN. The family-owned company doesn’t reveal sales figures, but Tito’s is the country’s top-selling vodka brand, according to third-party data.

Persons: ” Taylor Berry, Tito’s, Berry, ”, Bert “ Tito ” Beveridge, they’re, we’ve, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Tito’s, CNN Locations: New York, United States, Texas

☆ Domino’s will deliver your next pizza without an address
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

☆ A restaurant must pay workers $140,000 after allegedly hiring a fake priest to extract confessions of workers’ ‘sins’
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento confirmed that they found “no evidence of any connection” between the fake priest and their diocese. Garibaldi and three other restaurant owners and operators were ordered to pay $140,000 in back wages and damages to 35 employees. The restaurant will also have to pay $5,000 in civil penalties. Investigators also found that the restaurant denied employees overtime pay, managers were paid bonuses from the employee tip pool and some employees faced “adverse immigration consequences” for cooperating with investigators. “This employer’s despicable attempts to retaliate against employees were intended to silence workers, obstruct an investigation and prevent the recovery of unpaid wages,” Pilotin said.

Persons: Che Garibaldi, Taqueria Garibaldi, “, ”, Labor Marc Pilotin, Garibaldi, ” Pilotin Organizations: New, New York CNN, US Department of Labor, Labor, Catholic, Catholic News Agency Locations: New York, California, Taqueria, Sacramento, “, ”

☆ Anheuser-Busch is writing checks to distributors as Bud Light sales sink
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Bud Light’s parent company Anheuser-Busch has laid out a plan to appease beer distributors affected by two months of plunging sales sparked by an ongoing customer boycott. The company plans to provide financial assistance to its wholesalers, reimburse fuel for distributors’ trucks and launch a new ad campaign for Bud Light next week, A-B CEO Brendan Whitworth wrote in a letter Thursday. Damage was so severe that Bud Light, which is typically the top-selling beer in the United States, lost its place for May to Modelo Especial. A-B is providing financial support based on the extent to which sales have fallen, according to Beer Business Daily, an influential beer trade newsletter. Some distributors will get between 20 cents to 50 cents back per case depending on how severe sales slipped, Beer Business Daily said.

Persons: Bud Light’s, Bud Light, Brendan Whitworth, “, ” Whitworth, Bud, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, they’ve, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anheuser, Busch, Modelo Especial, Beer Business, Beer Business Daily, CNN Locations: New York, United States

☆ Summer intern’s commute goes viral: She flies from South Carolina to New Jersey because it’s cheaper than renting
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —College interns typically find cheap places to live for the summer. South Carolina resident Sophia Celentano commutes to her New Jersey summer internship by plane, weekly, revealing on her TikTok account that it’s actually cheaper than renting near her advertising gig’s New Jersey office. Her employer, Oglivy Health, requires interns to be in its New Jersey office usually one day a week. She said that costs her about $100 every week, plus another $100 on Uber rides to and from the airport and another $25 on food. Celentano claims to be saving be saving at least $2,000 this summer by doing this rather than living, working and playing in New Jersey or New York.

Persons: Sophia Celentano, old’s, ”, Douglas Elliman, Miller Samuel, Oglivy, Celentano, “, She’s, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN —, University of Virginia, Oglivy, Jersey City Locations: New York, South Carolina, New Jersey, Jersey, Charleston, Newark, Manhattan, Parsippany , New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens

☆ Bud Light loses its title as America’s top-selling beer
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —America’s top-selling beer is no longer American. Modelo Especial, the Mexican lager brewed near Mexico City by Constellation Brands, became the top-selling beer in May, overthrowing Bud Light from the top spot it has held for more than two decades. The fall from the top further highlighted how much trouble the Anheuser-Busch brand is in following transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s Instagram post showing off a customized Bud Light can. Dollar sales were equally grim for Bud Light during that period, with sales falling 24.4%, while Modelo’s grew 12.2%. Modelo Especial overtook Bud Light sales in May.

Persons: New York CNN —, Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s, Bump Williams, ” Williams, Justin Sullivan, Williams, Greg Gallagher, ”, BUD, Bud Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York CNN — America’s, Modelo Especial, Constellation Brands, Anheuser, Busch, Modelo, “, CNN, Modelo Oro, Bud Light, Cinco de Mayo, Mulvaney Locations: New York, Mexico City, Cinco de, Belgium

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