Business
McDonald’s Extends $5 Value Meal to Welcome Diners Back
In an exciting move for customers, McDonald’s has decided to extend its popular $5 value meal across most of its U.S. markets. This decision comes after the fast-food giant reported a surge in customer visits, attributing the increase to the appealing offer.
According to a memo obtained on Monday, nearly every business unit, representing 93% of McDonald’s restaurants, voted to continue the promotion beyond its original four-week window. Initially launched on June 25, the deal was set to end in late July but will now extend through August in most locations. The decision is subject to further voting in some areas.
The $5 value meal includes a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink, offering a significant discount compared to purchasing these items separately. Myra Doria, national field president, and Tariq Hassan, U.S. chief marketing and customer experience officer, highlighted in the memo that the promotion is effectively drawing customers away from competitors.
“Our message is resonating with our millions of customers,” they wrote. “When our customers are ordering the $5 Meal Deal, they aren’t visiting the competition, and early performance shows this deal is meeting the objective of driving guests back to our restaurants.”
As reported by Bloomberg, McDonald’s decision aligns with a broader trend among restaurants to offer deals aimed at boosting traffic. Many consumers, especially those from lower-income households, are seeking value amid higher prices due to inflation. Competitors like Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Starbucks have also launched similar deals ranging from $3 to $5 to attract budget-conscious diners.
The memo further emphasized the importance of guest counts for business growth: “We must remember that driving guest counts ultimately propels our business and is the key to sustained growth.”
Coca-Cola has supported the promotion by contributing marketing funds, making the value offer more attractive for franchisees. Some franchisee advocates are encouraging further contributions from McDonald’s to ensure the long-term sustainability of the discounted offer for operators.
Business
Travelers Brace for Hurricane Milton: Airlines, Theme Parks, and Cruise Lines Adjust Plans
With Hurricane Milton rapidly approaching Florida’s west coast, travel plans across the region are being significantly disrupted. The Category 4 storm, carrying winds of up to 145 mph, has triggered widespread cancellations, route changes, and closures as airlines, theme parks, and cruise lines prepare for its anticipated landfall on Wednesday.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency across more than 50 counties, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warning that Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida’s west coast with dangerous force.
Airports are taking precautionary measures, with Tampa International Airport suspending operations early on Tuesday, stating that it will “reopen when safe to do so.” Orlando International Airport, a major hub, announced it will close by 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Southwest Airlines, which accounts for a significant portion of flights in and out of Orlando, has already canceled 402 flights for Wednesday. FlightAware reports that over 85% of flights at Orlando International Airport have been grounded for the day, with many more cancellations at Tampa and Southwest Florida International airports.
Theme parks are also responding to the storm. Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday, while SeaWorld Orlando remains open for the time being but continues to monitor Hurricane Milton’s path closely.
Cruise lines have been proactive as well, with Carnival informing passengers that ports in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami are likely to close. As a result, several routes and destinations have been altered to steer clear of the storm’s impact.
As Hurricane Milton nears, travelers and local residents are urged to stay informed and adjust plans accordingly, with further disruptions expected in the coming days.
Business
States Sue TikTok, Alleging Impact on Teen Mental Health Crisis
A coalition of 14 U.S. states has filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of exacerbating a mental health crisis among teenagers. The bipartisan group of attorneys general claims the platform’s addictive features target young users, misleading the public about the safety of prolonged use, and contributing to negative mental health outcomes.
In the lawsuit, filed in New York, the attorneys general argue that TikTok intentionally designed features that drive compulsive use, negatively affecting millions of teens. New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that TikTok’s influence has led to tragic incidents, including the death of a 15-year-old boy in Manhattan, who died while “subway surfing” after watching similar videos on TikTok.
James emphasized that many teenagers are struggling with increased anxiety, sadness, and depression, attributing some of these effects to the app’s alerts, disappearing videos, and beauty filters. These features, she said, encourage constant checking of the platform and contribute to issues surrounding body image.
TikTok, which is already grappling with legislation that could ban it from the U.S. unless its parent company, Bytedance, sells the app, called the lawsuit “disappointing.” The platform contends that it has introduced tools to limit screen time and content exposure, but the lawsuit claims these tools are ineffective.
In addition to the mental health accusations, the lawsuit also points to TikTok’s virtual currency as running an unlicensed money transmission business in Washington D.C. The plaintiffs seek financial penalties and a court order to halt TikTok’s practices that allegedly harm teenagers.
TikTok has responded by defending its efforts to protect young users, stating, “We strongly disagree with these claims,” and reaffirming their commitment to improve the platform.
Business
Rolls-Royce Unveils Exclusive NYC Showroom for Ultra-Wealthy Clients
Rolls-Royce has launched its first U.S. “Private Office” in New York City’s Meatpacking District, offering a VIP design studio experience for its most affluent clients. This highly exclusive showroom marks a significant step in the luxury carmaker’s strategy to enhance profits by focusing on high-end, personalized vehicles rather than increasing production.
Last year, Rolls-Royce manufactured just 6,032 cars—less than half of Ferrari’s output—but its custom designs continue to drive profit growth for parent company BMW. The Private Office takes car personalization to an elite level, where select clients can work closely with designers to customize every aspect of their vehicle, from paint colors to fabrics, woods, and even intricate lighting schemes. Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge emphasized that customer requests can be as unique as matching the car’s exterior to the color of a pet’s eyes or incorporating mother-of-pearl from a private collection.
This bespoke design service, known as the “Bespoke” program, allows clients to add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the base price of a Rolls-Royce. For instance, a Phantom priced at just under $500,000 could exceed $1 million after personalization.
Unlike traditional dealerships, the Private Office is a discreet and luxurious space, designed more like a billionaire’s Manhattan loft than a car showroom. The entrance is unmarked, with clients entering through a secure elevator. Inside, the studio features a sleek black kitchen, an outdoor terrace, and a collection of classic vinyl records, creating an intimate environment for clients to explore materials such as paint samples, leather, and metals.
This Manhattan showroom brings the expertise of Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood factory directly to clients, accommodating the increasingly intricate requests of the brand’s top-tier clientele.
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