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The legislation would rezone land owned by nonprofit colleges and religious institutions, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues, to allow for affordable housing. An affordable housing project in a San Jose church had to go through a rezoning process that took more than two years before it could break ground in 2021. It would only apply to affordable housing projects, and the law would sunset in 2036. Supporters of the bill said it could help add hundreds of thousands of affordable housing units to the state’s housing stock. Republican lawmakers and Democratic Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil voted against it.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Scott Wiener, Gavin Newsom, Democratic Assemblymember Sharon Quirk, Silva, ”, Newsom, Tony Thurmond, ” Thurmond, Harvey Milk, Susan Talamantes Eggman, Republican Sen, Rosilicie Ochoa, Marie Alvarado, Gil, Ochoa Bogh, Lena Gonzalez, ” Gonzalez, ___ Austin, Austin @sophieadanna Organizations: U.S, Democratic, Democratic Gov, University of California, Terner, Housing Innovation, Temecula Valley Unified, Gov, California Legislative, Caucus, Republican, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, ”, San Jose, Orange County, Berkeley, Southern California, Temecula Valley, San Francisco

The California bill would make gender affirmation one factor among many that courts already have to consider in custody proceedings, including whether a parent has been abusive and how much contact the child has with the parents. The bill would not require judges to prioritize whether a parent affirms their child's gender identity over other factors. The state Senate passed the resolution, and it now heads to the Assembly. State Sen. Shannon Grove, a Republican from Bakersfield, said she didn’t think other states would agree to that. The bipartisan California bill would not legalize the sale of the drugs.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Scott Wiener, they’ve, ” Wiener, ”, Sen, Kelly Seyarto, ” Seyarto, Gavin Newsom, Assemblymember Lori Wilson, Wilson, “, Alexis Sanchez, Sanchez, Newsom, Aisha Wahab, Wiener, State Sen, Shannon Grove, DECRIMINALIZING, it’s, Bill Essayli, Adam Beam, Nguyễn, ___ Sophie Austin, Austin @sophieadanna Organizations: Democratic, Republican, Democratic Gov, Sacramento LGBT Community Center, San Francisco, State, ., Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, San Francisco, Southern California, U.S, Bakersfield, DECRIMINALIZING PSYCHEDELICS California, . Oregon, Colorado

☆ Why are all the cool Kit Kats only available internationally?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

They create buzz and urgency, which help decades-old brands like Kit Kat stay relevant. A few years later, Rowntree’s renamed the product Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp. Nigel Roddis/ReutersAfter manufacturing and distributing Kit Kat for decades, the British company entered into a deal with Hershey, giving it control over US Kit Kat distribution in 1970. Nostalgic candies, like traditional Kit Kat bars, exert a powerful hold over those who loved them in their childhood, she noted. When people reach for a Kit Kat, they’re reaching for a reliable jolt of sweetness and good feelings, she said.

Persons: Kit, Kit Kat, Kat, Kats, Behrouz Mehri, Nestlé, Lynn Dornblaser, Dornblaser, “, Kit Kat wasn’t, Chocolate Crisp, Rowntree’s, Kat Chocolate Crisp, Rowntree's Kit Kat, Nigel Roddis, Hershey, Kit Kats, Rowntree Mackintosh, Milo Kit Kat, Chris O’Donnell, ”, O’Donnell, it’s, Milo, Kit Kat Japan, Kat Churro, Justin Kukura, Marcia Mogelonsky, they’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, Target, Walmart, Hershey, Getty, Mintel Consulting, Reuters, Nestlé, Lotus, Hershey Company Locations: New York, United States, Japan, AFP, British, Hershey , Pennsylvania, ., Australia, Hershey

☆ Furniture store Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is shutting down
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, which grew from a small North Carolina-based upholstery maker to a national retail furniture chain, is shuttering operations, citing weak sales and trouble securing financing. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is shutting down. Ben Hider/Getty ImagesMitchell Gold and Bob Williams founded their business together in 1989. Furniture stores, especially high-end retailers like Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, have been struggling as people cut back on home improvement projects and big ticket items. “Shortly after this restructuring, the company’s lender withdrew its support, forcing Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams to cease operations,” the Stephens Group said.

Persons: New York CNN — Mitchell, Bob Williams, Chris Moye, Mitchell, Ben Hider, Ethan Allen, ” Moye, ”, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, state’s Department of Commerce, Worker, Home Depot, Target, Stephens, CNN, Stephens Group Locations: New York, North Carolina

☆ Best Buy expects tech demand to hit a low this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Best Buy expects declining tech sales to hit a low this year before stabilizing, in another sign of consumer caution around discretionary spending and retail purchases. Best Buy expects tech spending to hit a low this year before stabilizing. Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesFor fiscal year 2024, the company now expects revenue of $43.8 billion to $44.5 billion, instead of $43.8 billion to $45.2 billion as it said in previous guidance. It expects sales at stores, websites and call centers open at least 14 months, known as comparable sales, to decline 4.5% to 6% for the year. In the quarter, comparable sales fell 6.3% domestically, year-over-year.

Persons: ” Corie Barry, ”, Bruce Bennett, Barry, “, — CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn, Anna Bahney Organizations: New, New York CNN, Revenue Locations: New York

☆ Could Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech send stocks plunging again?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —With Nvidia earnings out of the way, the next test for US markets is Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s annual speech at the Jackson Hole economic summit on Friday. “In August of 2022, Powell knew the Fed had several more rate hikes to go. Macy’s sounds the alarm on credit card delinquenciesMacy’s is warning of a spike in customers who are failing to make credit card payments, adding to the evidence of mounting financial stress on consumers, reports my colleague Matt Egan. This situation is hurting Macy’s business, driving down credit card revenue by 36% year over year and contributing to a quarterly loss, he said. Citing worsening consumer leverage metrics, Macy’s is bracing for a further increase in “bad debt” in its credit card portfolio.

Persons: Jerome Powell’s, Powell, ”, — Powell, “, Tom Graff, Matt Egan, ” Adrian Mitchell, Danielle Wiener, Bronner, Qiana Di, Di Bari, Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Nvidia, Kansas, Fed, Dow Jones, “, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: New York, Wyoming, Maui, United States, Qiana Di Bari, Lahaina, Kahului

☆ Many Maui restaurants were destroyed in the fires. For those that survived, their future remains uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

An aerial view of destruction on Front Street on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. In Lahaina, a historic area and popular tourist destination that was hit particularly hard by the fires, restaurants are big business. Restaurants are an important part of the tourism sector, which is responsible for 75% of all private-sector jobs in Maui. Their restaurants survived, but their future is uncertain. In Kula, about an hour’s drive from Lahaina, fires damaged the Kula Sandalwoods Inn & Cafe, which has been in Monica Loui’s family for decades.

Persons: Qiana Di, Di Bari, ”, Di Bari’s, Pepe, …, Di, ” Di Bari, Justin Sullivan, Baris, Sheryl Matsuoka, They’re, Javier Barberi, Barberi, Robert Gauthier, Barberi couldn’t, Hana Hou, “, it’s, Monica Loui’s, you’re, ” Loui, she’s, Caleb Hopkins, We’re, Hopkins, he’s, “ We’re, Hou Hospitality, Josh Green’s, Hawaii Josh Green, Rick Bowmer, Barry Allison, Kihei, we’ve, —, Catherine Thorbecke Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hawaii Restaurant Association, Los Angeles Times, Hawaii Gov, FEMA, ” Locations: New York, Maui, Qiana Di Bari, Lahaina, Italian, Di Bari, Lahaina , Hawaii, United States, Kahului, “, Kula, Loui’s, GoFundMe, Hawaii

☆ Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is back, and it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —The Pumpkin Spice Latte is coming back, again. Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte was introduced 20 years ago. StarbucksAnd Starbucks’ Reserve stores, more upscale locations, will also sell pumpkin spice beverages for the first time this year. Pumpkin spice is everywhere now, to the point where people roll their eyes when they see yet another pumpkin spice product, or mourn the arrival of pumpkin spice anything as marking the end of summer. Seasonal items like the Pumpkin Spice Latte are also an important marketing tool because they only come around once a year.

Persons: “ it’s, ”, Thomas Prather, ” Prather, you’ve, Peter Dukes, “, ” Dukes, likeliness, Dukes, Tapping, Paige Leyden, Kelly Haws Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, PSL, Olin Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University . Pumpkin Locations: New York, ., Washington ,, Vancouver, North America, Mintel

☆ Ending tipped wage system will hurt the people it's trying to help: Fifty/50 Group's Scott Wiener
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEnding tipped wage system will hurt the people it's trying to help: Fifty/50 Group's Scott WienerScott Weiner, The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group co-owner, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the latest fight in the war over tipping, after activists in Chicago want to end the city's 'tipped wage system', under which some restaurants are allowed to pay servers less than minimum wage as long as tips boost their earnings up to or above that level, the impact on the labor force, inflation, and the city's culinary experience.

Persons: Scott Wiener Scott Weiner Locations: Chicago

☆ Starbucks must pay another $2.7 million to employee who said she was fired for being White
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —A New Jersey court ordered Starbucks to pay an additional $2.7 million to a former employee who successfully sued the company for wrongful termination, claiming she was fired for being White. In June, a jury had ruled in favor of Shannon Philips, who worked at Starbucks as regional director over the Philadelphia area. In an order Wednesday, Judge Joel Slomsky said Starbucks has to make the additional payment for damages. Starbucks did not have a comment about the order Wednesday, but said in June that it was disappointed in the decision. In that suit, Phillips said that when Starbucks fired her following the arrest, it was discriminating against her because of her race.

Persons: Shannon Philips, Judge Joel Slomsky, Phillips, Starbucks “, White, “, ” Phillips, — CNN’s Kristina Sgueglia, Laura Ly, Zenebou Sylla Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, Philadelphia Starbucks, City, Partner Resources Locations: New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, City of Philadelphia

☆ Three ways Covid changed the restaurant industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Now, over three years later, the restaurant industry is back. In the early days of the pandemic, people got used to eating their restaurant food at home. Too many jobs, too few workersEarly in the pandemic, many restaurant workers got laid off. Now, over three years since the pandemic hit the US, some restaurant jobs remain unfilled. But many of these have at the same time vehemently opposed proposed legislation that could raise the minimum wage for fast food workers.

Persons: Anderson Cooper, Bobby Flay, Esther Choi’s, we’re, ” Choi, Mŏkbar, ”, Choi, Esther Choi, Masaharu Morimoto, Roy Rochlin, Joe Pawlak, Carbone, Covid, Chris Kempczinski, Taco, Spencer Platt, “, Uber, Doordash, Bonnie Morales, Leah Nash, Israel Morales, Flay, ” Donna, ” Pawlak Organizations: CNN, New, New York CNN, National Arts Club, Getty, National Restaurant Association, Washington Post, Bonnie Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City, Israel, Kachka, Portland , Oregon, Portland

☆ A German grocery store charged customers the 'true price' of their food, and one cheese was almost twice as expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

German supermarket Penny raised prices on meats and cheeses to reflect their "true cost" last week. By contrast, one brand of vegan schnitzel only rose 5%, suggesting some vegan products have minimal long-term environmental and health costs. Despite Germany's recent drop in inflation, food prices still remain 11% higher this month compared to 12 months ago. The company temporarily hiked some prices to comment on how food prices are not fully indicative of broader long-term environmental and health costs. "We know that many of our customers are suffering from today's unrelentingly high food prices," Stefan Görgens, the COO at Penny, said in a statement.

Persons: Penny, Mühlenhof wiener, Stefan Görgens Organizations: Service, US Department of Agriculture, Nuremberg Institute of Technology, University of Greifswald, Aldi Locations: Wall, Silicon, Germany

☆ Don’t be fooled by rising consumer price data, take a peek behind the numbers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —US consumer prices rose 3.2% for the 12 months ending in July, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, which landed Thursday. “Don’t be fooled by the uptick in [year-over-year] inflation,” noted Julia Pollak, chief economist for ZipRecruiter. Gimme (cheaper) shelter: Shelter (i.e. “Our baseline forecast suggests that year-over-year shelter inflation will continue to slow through late 2024 and may even turn negative by mid-2024,” the researchers wrote. Uncooked beef steak prices rose 2.3% and uncooked ground beef rose 1.5%.

Persons: It’s, Don’t, ”, Julia Pollak, Joe Brusuelas, ” Brusuelas, —, Anna Bahney, Danielle Wiener, Bronner, That’s, Douglas Elliman, Miller Samuel, Spencer Platt, Jonathan Miller, “, Read, Biden, Michelle Toh Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, CNN, ZipRecruiter, RSM US, Federal Reserve, Commerce Department, San Francisco, Big Apple, Getty Locations: Manhattan, New York, New York City, China, Silicon

☆ Grocery prices rose in July
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Grocery prices ticked up 0.3% in July, after staying flat in June, driven largely by rising beef prices. Uncooked beef steaks prices rose 2.3% and uncooked ground beef rose 1.5%. Tyson (TSN) reported that while its prices for pork and chicken were down in the quarter ending in July, beef prices went up. Altogether, grocery prices rose 3.6% for the year, higher than the overall 3.2% increase of consumer prices — but not by much. What’s going on with menu pricesIn the month of July, menu prices rose a tiny bit, just 0.2%.

Persons: Joe Raedle, ”, Donnie King, Tyson, Bread, Rice, Sweets, Milk, WEN, Papa Johns, Rob Lynch, “, we’ve, I’ve, Lynch Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, TSN, USDA, Burger, Papa Johns Locations: New York

☆ Why orange juice futures are spiking
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Orange juice futures are hitting record highs because of bad weather and a nasty citrus disease. “Record-high orange juice prices in 2023 are a consequence of a very tight market, with smaller-than-expected production and low inventories,” he added. Spiking futures prices could mean higher prices at the grocery store, he said. On Walmart’s website, a 52-ounce bottle of Tropicana Original orange juice currently goes for about $4. Shoppers may not tolerate prices getting any higher, especially when they don’t see orange juice as a staple.

Persons: ”, Billy Roberts, Hurricanes Ian, Nicole, Chandan Khanna, Citrus, Mathew Joyner, Roberts, “, Andrés Padilla, Jack Scoville Organizations: New, New York CNN, OJ, Hurricanes, Getty, US Department of Agriculture, Citrus Mutual, Rabobank, Price Futures Group, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: New York, Florida, America, Brazil, Mexico, United States

☆ California found a way to ignore NIMBYs and build more housing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

California may have found an effective model to build affordable housing more quickly. The law applies to all regions of California that haven't met their housing construction targets, which is almost everywhere in the housing-scarce state. Between 2018 and 2021, 156 projects with more than 18,000 units have been approved or are under review under SB 35. SB 35 projects are also exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act, further speeding up the approval process. "It'll be catastrophic if it's not extended," Ramie Dare, director of real estate at the non-profit affordable housing developer Mercy Housing California, told the researchers.

Persons: —, Bill, haven't, it's, Caleb Roope, Scott Wiener Organizations: UC Berkeley, Service, Terner Center, Housing Innovation, Bay Area, Pacific Companies, Mercy Housing Locations: California, Wall, Silicon, Bay, Los Angeles County, Mercy Housing California

☆ Burger King's next challenge: Getting people in the door
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In the second quarter ending on June 30, sales at Burger King’s US restaurants open at least 13 months jumped 8.3% year over year. Globally, including in the US, sales at Burger King restaurants open at least a year grew 10.2%. One part of the plan has hinged on getting people to try a Whopper, Burger King’s signature hamburger, again. More kiosks, newer restaurantsIn order for customers to walk through the door, Burger King locations need to look modern, according to executives. For Burger King, one way to update restaurants is by focusing on restaurant tech, like ordering kiosks.

Persons: Josh Kobza, Burger, Tim Hortons, Justin Sullivan, ” Tom Curtis, Kobza, “, ”, “ We’re, ” Kobza, “ We’ve, ” Burger Organizations: New, New York CNN, Burger, Burger King, Restaurant Brands, Burger King North, CNN Locations: New York, Burger, Burger King, Burger King North America

☆ Tyson is closing four plants as chicken sales slump
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Chicken prices are down. The company reported earnings for the quarter ending July 1 that showed chicken revenue fell about 3.5%. Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader/ImagnTyson CEO Donnie King pointed to these market conditions when discussing Tyson’s chicken sales decline during an analyst call Monday. “We’ve had a number of fits and starts from the breeder side to demand,” King said. “We’re on the right path.”Plant closuresIn March, the company announced the closure of one chicken processing plant in Glen Allen, Virginia, and another in Van Buren, Arkansas.

Persons: Nathan Papes, Imagn Tyson, Donnie King, ”, It’s, Tyson, “ We’ve, ” King, “ We’re, King, “ I’m, ” Tyson Organizations: New, New York CNN, Tyson Foods, Rabobank, Springfield News, CNN, TSN Locations: New York, United States, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, Noel , Missouri, hatchings, Glen Allen , Virginia, Van Buren , Arkansas

☆ Oil prices are up 20% and energy stocks are rebounding
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Energy stocks are making a comeback after being left for dead earlier this year. Energy stocks faltered in the beginning of the year, defying investors’ expectations for last year’s boom to accelerate on a lack of global supply. That drop in energy stocks came despite OPEC+ producers, the cartel of oil producing countries plus Russia, announcing several output cuts in a bid to bump up crude prices. US WTI crude oil prices have gained 22% since June 11, while global benchmark Brent is up by 19%. Jobs report will likely be strongMarkets and economists are expecting another solid jobs report on Friday, reports my colleague Alicia Wallace.

Persons: That’s, what’s, ”, Rebecca Babin, Chevron, Derek Amey, Jobs, Alicia Wallace, Daniel Zhao, Refinitiv, Read, Here’s what’s, Danielle Wiener, Bronner, We’ve, ” Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN — Energy, Energy, OPEC, Brent, Federal Reserve, CIBC Private Wealth, titans, Shell, Reuters, Glassdoor, USA Rice Federation Locations: New York, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China

☆ India rice export ban, explained
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But for importers and loyal consumers of Indian-grown non-basmati varieties, the ban has been disruptive, including in the United States. Internationally, the ban is causing an upheaval in the market and could especially impact places that rely on Indian rice exports. “So we’re looking to have a really healthy, robust US rice crop.”The United States primarily imports specialty and fragrant rice, he said, like arborio rice used to make risotto; jasmine rice; basmati rice and other varieties. “We are completely dependent on non-basmati rice,” said Kiran Kumar Pola, director of Deccan Foods, an importer and distributor of non-basmati Indian rice that operates out of Arizona. “We at India Bazaar understand the concerns raised in light of the recent ban on Indian Non-Basmati Raw Rice,” the post reads.

Persons: We’ve, USA Rice, what’s, “, ”, Tanner Ehmke, Anupam Nath, Ehmke, Joseph Glauber, it’s, Glauber, El Niño, “ There’s, Peter Bachmann, Charles Hart, ” Rice, Rory Doyle, Kiran Kumar Pola, Sona Masoori, Kerala Matta, Rice Organizations: New, New York CNN, ” USA Rice Federation, ”, International Food Policy Research, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA Rice Federation, BMI, Bloomberg, Deccan Foods, Facebook Locations: New York, United States, USA, India, CoBank, Asia, ” India, Guwahati, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, West Africa, Pakistan, South Asia, California, Pace , Mississippi, Arizona, Kerala, South India, Pola, Dallas

☆ Papa Johns’ prices are driving some customers away
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Consumers are pulling back on discretionary spending, and Papa Johns is taking a hit. Lynch joined Papa Johns (PZZA) in 2019. The vast majority, roughly 2,900 out of about 3,400 total North American Papa Johns restaurants, are franchised, according to the company. Sales at Papa Johns locations open at least a year fell in the second quarter. But now, they’re pushing back – and not just at Papa Johns.

Persons: Papa Johns, ”, Rob Lynch, “, we’ve, I’ve, Lynch, American Papa Johns, Luke Sharrett, Papa, Kraft Heinz, Oscar Mayer, Kraft, Miguel Patricio, ” Patricio, George Frey, James Quincey, Steven Cahillane, “ We’re, ‘, ’ ”, ” Lynch, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, American Papa, Papa Johns, Bloomberg, Kraft Mac, Kraft Locations: New York, Papa Johns, Capri Sun, Philadelphia, Europe

☆ Starbucks’ sales in China come roaring back
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Starbucks’ China business is back after dropping due to Covid restrictions last year. In the three months ending on July 2, sales at Chinese locations open at least 13 months spiked 46% year-over-year, the company said Tuesday. Starbucks sales in China took a major hit last spring. “I am encouraged by our performance in the quarter,” Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said during an analyst call discussing the financial results Tuesday, noting that in the quarter revenue in China grew 51% year-over-year. Tingshu Wang/ReutersAs of July, there were nearly 6,500 Starbucks locations in China.

Persons: Laxman Narasimhan, Tingshu Wang, there’s, Narasimhan, ”, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks Locations: New York, China, “, Beijing, underpenetrated, Japan, United States, North America

☆ Mattel's Barbie is a hit. Retailers and restaurants want in
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Around that time, it started planning Barbie parties: Celebrations with themed cocktails, pink food and plenty of opportunities to show off Barbiecore outfits in the Instagram-friendly venue, including life-size hot pink Barbie and Ken boxes. By marketing Barbie products to adults, large retailers may be able to get them to buy similar products for kids. With Barbie products that appeal to grown-ups, marketers are “getting that interactivity between adults and children, that bonding,” which can also be used as a selling point. The clothing retailer offers a Barbie line that includes Gap and Barbie branded t-shirts, jackets and more, for both kids and adults. Nordhielm pointed to Cold Stone Creamery’s Barbie pink cotton candy ice cream as a standout.

Persons: Barbie ”, “ Barbie ”, Moshe Isaacian, Isaacian, Richard Drew, “, ”, Tim Calkins, Barbie, Ken, Leana Chavez, cabana, Lauren McCord, Christie Nordhielm, Richard Dickson, Richard B, Levine, Levine Roberts, “ Barbie, Oppenheimer, David Canales, David Reibstein, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton, we’re, Mike Blake, ” Reibstein, “ it’s, Northwestern’s Calkins, Mattel, Chrissy Teigen Organizations: New, New York CNN, Twitter, Mattel, Warner Bros, CNN, Warner Bros ., Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Wunder, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, Press, University of Pennsylvania’s, Reuters, Creamery Locations: New York, Wunder Garten, Washington , DC, Zara, Gran Via, Madrid, Malibu, Malibu , California

☆ Chick-fil-A wants to send your drive-thru chicken on a conveyor belt and down a chute
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Customers can either order ahead via the Chick-fil-A app and then receive their meals at one of two lanes dedicated for mobile orders or order as usual through a regular drive-thru lane. The pick-up location is just that: Customers order ahead and then walk into the store to pick up their orders. Speedy service is key for fast food restaurants, especially at the drive-thru, where a long line or a bad experience can scare off customers. Taco Bell has also been testing out drive-thru locations with second-story kitchens, delivering tacos to drive-thru customers via a “vertical lift.”Chick-fil-A tends to earn top marks for its drive-thru, and for its service in general. In a drive-thru survey last year in which Chick-fil-A, along with Carl’s Jr., earned the top spot for satisfaction with service, the chicken chain failed to make the top five for order accuracy.

Persons: New York CNN —, It’s, Chick, Taco Bell, Carl’s Jr Organizations: New, New York CNN, Inc Locations: New York, Atlanta, New York City

☆ Grimace shakes help send McDonald’s sales surging
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In the United States, sales at McDonald’s locations open for at least 13 months jumped 10.3% in the quarter ending on June 30. Grimace’s birthday, and the kickoff date for the special meal and shake McDonald’s offered to celebrate, was on June 12. When McDonald’s introduced the special products for Grimace in early June, it wasn’t all about the shake. The Grimace Birthday Meal also came with McNuggets or a Big Mac and fries. “Grimace is the perfect lovable icon to have McDonald’s meet our fans at the intersection of nostalgia and culture.”But in TikTok videos where people wish Grimace a happy birthday before sampling the shake, Grimace is not presented as a lovable icon.

Persons: McDonald’s, “, ”, Chris Kempczinski, ” Tariq Hassan, “ Grimace, Grimace, tweeting Organizations: New, New York CNN, McDonald’s, Plant Locations: New York, United States, China, Placer.ai

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