Several restaurant chains in the US are planning to open new locations by 2026. Chains like Layne’s Chicken, Paris Baguette, Sweetgreen, and Via 313 have announced expansion plans. Despite challenges in the industry, these brands are growing due to their strong financial support.
Key Facts
Layne’s Chicken plans to open 44 new locations across West Texas by 2026.
Paris Baguette aims to have more than 500 units in development and operate over 1,000 locations in the US by 2030.
Sweetgreen intends to open 40 new locations by the end of 2025 and an additional 15 to 20 by 2026.
Via 313 plans to expand by opening four to five new stores in 2026 with $32.5 million investment support.
Some restaurant chains are expanding due to strong financial backing that helps them manage costs and grow.
These expansions are occurring even as many smaller restaurants struggle due to increased costs and competition.
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There is a new analysis suggesting that home prices in Florida could rise by 7 to 9 percent if the state eliminates property taxes, as proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis. While this plan might help current homeowners, it could make homes less affordable for new buyers. Experts express concerns about the financial implications for the state and potential negative effects during economic downturns.
Key Facts
Governor Ron DeSantis proposes eliminating property taxes in Florida.
A Realtor.com analysis indicates home prices could increase by 7 to 9 percent if property taxes are removed.
Eliminating these taxes could raise Florida's housing stock value by $200 billion to $250 billion.
The proposal may benefit current homeowners but make it harder for new buyers to afford homes.
Experts warn that Florida might need to raise sales taxes or find other revenue sources if property taxes are eliminated.
Economists are concerned about the potential negative impact during a recession, noting Florida could face a housing surplus and financial strain.
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Newell Brands, the company that owns Yankee Candle, announced it will lay off more than 900 employees and close about 20 stores across North America. This move is part of a plan to improve efficiency and create lasting value for the company. The layoffs are part of a broader trend of job cuts in 2025, affecting many large U.S. employers.
Key Facts
Newell Brands plans to cut over 900 jobs, about 10% of its professional and clerical workforce.
The layoffs will take place mainly in the U.S., with additional global reductions in 2026.
Around 20 Yankee Candle stores in the U.S. and Canada will close by January 2026.
The company aims to create a more agile and high-performing business.
Newell Brands reported a 7.2% decline in net sales in the third quarter, blaming tariffs and retaliatory duties.
The company's turnaround plan aims to save $110 million to $130 million annually.
Restructuring costs are expected to be between $75 million and $90 million.
The company's plan is part of a broader trend of significant layoffs in 2025 in the U.S.
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Travel Tuesday is a day when people can find big discounts on travel bookings like flights and hotels. It started in 2017 after data showed the day after Cyber Monday had great travel deals. Travel Tuesday has become more popular, especially in the U.S. and Canada.
Key Facts
Travel Tuesday happens the day after Cyber Monday and offers travel discounts.
The idea began in 2017 when an online company called Hopper found that this day had many travel deals.
On Travel Tuesday, discounts can be up to 50% on flights, hotels, and other travel services.
The number of deals on this day is about two to three times more than on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
A report found that interest in Travel Tuesday grew five times over two years.
Interest mostly comes from the U.S. and Canada, with some searches from the U.K., Australia, the Netherlands, and Spain.
The day is seen as a "marketing moment" by travel companies to increase bookings during a slow period.
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Chipotle is offering free food promotions throughout December 2025 under the campaign called "Unwrap Extra." Customers in the U.S. and Canada can enjoy Buy One Get One (BOGO) deals on certain Saturdays when dining in, and Chipotle Rewards Members will receive extra perks. The initiative also allows customers to donate to the charity "No Kid Hungry."
Key Facts
Chipotle's "Unwrap Extra" campaign runs throughout December 2025.
Starting December 6, BOGO deals are available in participating U.S. and Canada locations.
BOGO deals are offered on the first three Saturdays of December from 4 p.m. until close.
Deals include Taco BOGO, Burrito BOGO, and a BOGO for wearing a festive sweater.
BOGO deals have a limitation of five free entrées per check.
Offers are not valid for catering, online, or delivery orders.
Chipotle Rewards Members will get surprise perks like free guacamole and drinks.
Customers can donate to "No Kid Hungry" through app or website purchases from December 3 to December 22.
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In 2025, Arby's has closed more than a dozen restaurants across various states in the U.S. due to financial challenges. Despite this, Arby's remains a strong player in the fast-food sandwich market, ranking third in sales among similar chains in the U.S.
Key Facts
Arby's has shut down restaurants in several U.S. states, including Tennessee, California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington state, and South Carolina.
Tennessee saw four closures, with locations closing in Cordova, Germantown, Memphis, and Murfreesboro.
In Florida, four Jacksonville-area Arby's locations closed early in 2025.
Arby's had a 6.3% sales decline in 2024 and closed a net 48 restaurants, which is about 1.4% of its total.
Arby's is part of Inspire Brands, which owns six chains including Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins.
Despite the closures, Arby's ranked third in U.S. fast-food sandwich chain sales in 2024, behind Subway and Panera.
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Shein and Temu, fast-fashion companies, are under pressure in the U.S. due to calls for investigations into alleged forced labor and intellectual property theft. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Shein, while Senator Tom Cotton has requested a federal investigation into both companies. Shein has expressed willingness to cooperate with the Texas investigation.
Key Facts
Shein and Temu are fast-fashion companies facing calls for investigations in the U.S.
The investigations focus on claims of forced labor and intellectual property theft.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Shein.
Senator Tom Cotton has requested a federal investigation into Shein and Temu.
Shein stated it will cooperate with Attorney General Paxton's investigation.
Shein's headquarters is in Singapore, but most products are made in China.
The U.S. has changed rules on low-cost shipments, affecting imports from China.
Shein is also under scrutiny in Europe for various concerns, including safety and environmental impact.
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A report by Oxford Economics shows that housing affordability in the U.S. is worse than five years ago. High home prices and increased mortgage rates are major factors making it difficult for many people to buy homes. Only 38% of U.S. households can now afford a home, a drop from 57% in 2020.
Key Facts
Housing affordability is worse than it was five years ago in the U.S.
The median income needed to buy a home is $110,100, which is nearly double what was needed in 2020.
Only 38% of U.S. households have the income necessary to afford a home, down from 57% in 2020.
Mortgage rates have increased significantly, doubling monthly housing costs for many people.
The least affordable areas include San Jose, San Francisco, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
The share of first-time home buyers has dropped to 21%, the lowest on record.
A national home shortfall of about 1.5 million is a significant issue affecting housing costs.
High mortgage rates have had a greater impact on affordability than rising house prices.
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Costco has taken legal action against the U.S. government, aiming for a full refund of tariffs if the Supreme Court rules against President Trump's authority to impose them. The case challenges Trump's use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Earlier courts have already decided that Trump overstepped his authority, but the Supreme Court will have the final say.
Key Facts
Costco filed a lawsuit to get a refund on tariffs if the Supreme Court rules against President Trump's authority.
The lawsuit claims the tariffs are illegal because they were imposed without Congress's approval.
Lower courts have previously ruled that Trump's use of emergency powers for tariffs was unlawful.
Trade data shows importers, including Costco, have paid around $90 billion in these tariffs.
Costco filed the suit before a December 2025 deadline to ensure a chance to recover the funds.
The Supreme Court justices have shown doubt about the president's authority to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
President Trump argues that emergency powers allow him to impose global tariffs.
The Trump administration says overturning the tariffs could limit negotiation abilities and result in financial losses to the treasury.
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Jamie Laing's vegan sweets brand, Candy Kittens, plans to buy the UK snack brand Graze from Unilever. The deal is expected to finalize in the first half of 2026. This move is part of Unilever's strategy to sell under-performing brands and focus on other products.
Key Facts
Candy Kittens, co-founded by Jamie Laing, is acquiring Graze, a UK snack brand.
Unilever, the current owner, is selling Graze to focus on its personal care and beauty products.
The sale should be completed by the first half of 2026.
Graze started in 2005 as an online snack delivery service and was bought by Unilever in 2019.
Unilever's CEO, Fernando Fernandez, is leading efforts to reshape the company's focus.
Other brands recently sold by Unilever include The Vegetarian Butcher.
Unilever also plans to spin off its ice cream division, including brands like Magnum and Ben & Jerry's.
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Starbucks agreed to pay over $38 million in a settlement after being accused of breaking New York City's Fair Workweek Law many times. The settlement will give about $35 million to over 15,000 baristas in New York City. This marks the largest worker protection settlement in the city's history.
Key Facts
Starbucks agreed to a settlement of more than $38 million.
Over $35 million will go to more than 15,000 New York City baristas.
The settlement stems from violations of NYC's Fair Workweek Law.
Starbucks is also required to pay around $3.4 million in civil penalties to the city.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams called it the largest worker protection settlement in NYC history.
NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders supported striking Starbucks workers.
Starbucks stated the payment is about compliance with the law, not unpaid wages.
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The resignation of Richard Hughes, the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), made headlines after a budget leak led to his decision to step down. This situation has intensified pressures on Rachel Reeves amid ongoing discussions about the budget and financial issues. There are also developments in a property tax policy and reactions to the OBR's budget predictions.
Key Facts
Richard Hughes resigned as the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) following a budget leak.
The leak concerned access to information before the Spring Statement, raising worries about future budget security.
Rachel Reeves is under scrutiny, with some pressures calling for her resignation.
Richard Hughes will not testify before a Treasury committee because of his resignation.
Properties valued over £2 million will not be subjected to a new property tax, as stated in recent budget news.
Relations between the OBR and the Treasury were strained, particularly over budget timeline disagreements.
The resignation followed a public reprimand from the prime minister and the claim he was forced out for opposing the Chancellor.
Other news items include a corruption case involving Labour MP Tulip Siddiq and a high-profile arrest in sports.
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The head of the UK's Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), Richard Hughes, has resigned amid issues about the OBR's independence and its influence on government policy. The Chancellor must now appoint a new leader for the OBR, while ensuring the organization remains credible and unbiased. The OBR is responsible for providing economic forecasts that the government uses for fiscal planning.
Key Facts
Richard Hughes, head of the OBR, resigned due to a mix of political pressures and organizational challenges.
The Chancellor needs to select a qualified economist to replace Hughes while maintaining the OBR's independence.
The OBR provides important economic forecasts that influence government budget decisions.
There has been political pressure on the OBR to credit certain government growth policies, but these did not meet the necessary impact threshold.
Any interference with the OBR's independence could affect the UK's market credibility and borrowing costs.
The OBR plans to continue providing bi-annual economic forecasts, but the government will not always respond with policy changes.
The OBR recently highlighted the UK's economic trends and future challenges, including special educational needs costs in England.
Richard Hughes emphasized that the OBR operates under powers given by Parliament and only provides forecasts, not policy decisions.
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Prime Minister Starmer defended Chancellor Reeves, who was accused of not providing the full picture in a recent speech about economic forecasts. Meanwhile, the UK and US have agreed on a deal regarding pharmaceutical shipments, where the UK will pay more for medicines to keep US import taxes at zero.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Starmer supported Chancellor Reeves against accusations of misleading the public and the cabinet.
Reeves was accused of not highlighting the positive aspects of forecasts in a speech on November 4th.
The UK and US have reached an agreement on tariffs for pharmaceutical shipments.
Under the agreement, the UK will pay higher prices for medicines through the NHS.
In return, the US will maintain zero import taxes on UK-made pharmaceuticals for three years.
The information was discussed on a BBC Newscast episode available for over a year.
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Starbucks has agreed to pay over $35 million to about 15,000 workers in New York City to settle claims that the company broke local labor laws by not providing stable work schedules. The payment will compensate workers, giving them $50 for each week they worked from July 2021 to July 2024. This settlement follows an investigation that found Starbucks violated New York City's work schedule law multiple times.
Key Facts
Starbucks will pay $35 million to New York City workers following labor law violations.
Over 15,000 hourly workers will get $50 for each week worked between July 2021 and July 2024.
New York City's investigation found Starbucks broke the city's work schedule law over 500,000 times since 2021.
The agreement is the largest worker protection settlement in New York City's history.
Starbucks must comply with local worker protection laws requiring regular schedules.
The city's law for predictable schedules is described by Starbucks as complex.
Compensation is for legal compliance, not unpaid wages.
Starbucks faces ongoing labor disputes with a union over pay and staffing.
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Bitcoin's price fell to around $85,000 amidst a larger decline in technology stocks. The drop follows Bitcoin's peak in October and affects companies related to cryptocurrency. Factors like market trends, investor behavior, and regulatory uncertainty contribute to the decrease.
Key Facts
Bitcoin's price fell to just above $85,000, a 5.6% decline after being down nearly 12% earlier in the day.
Bitcoin peaked at $126,210.50 on October 6 but is now down about 33% from that high.
Shares of crypto-related companies, like Coinbase and Robinhood, also fell; Coinbase by 4.8% and Robinhood by 4.1%.
American Bitcoin, partially owned by President Donald Trump's sons, fell 15.6% and is down nearly 47% since September 30.
Investors withdrew $3.6 billion from spot bitcoin ETFs in November, the largest outflow since January 2024.
Factors contributing to the decline include risk-averse market behavior, institutional selling, and a lack of clear crypto regulations.
A new market regulation bill for cryptocurrency is stalled in the Senate, despite earlier crypto-friendly legislation signed by President Trump to regulate stablecoins.
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Costco has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government for a potential refund if the Supreme Court rules against President Donald Trump's tariff authority. The case challenges Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs. Several other major companies are also seeking similar refunds.
Key Facts
Costco sued the U.S. government over tariffs related to President Trump's powers under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The lawsuit aims to ensure refunds if the Supreme Court limits Trump's tariff authority.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied Costco's request for more time on tariff calculations.
Costco reported $275.2 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending August 31.
Other companies like Bumble Bee Foods, Kawasaki Motors, and Revlon are also involved in similar lawsuits.
The Supreme Court is fast-tracking the case but has not announced a decision date.
Costco is reducing suppliers and increasing local sourcing to mitigate tariff impacts.
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ZipCar, a car-sharing company, will stop its UK operations by the end of 2024. The company plans to pause new bookings after December 31 and is consulting with its UK staff about the decision. ZipCar has around 650,000 users in the UK and cites financial losses as a reason for its withdrawal.
Key Facts
ZipCar is ending its operations in the UK by the end of 2024.
The company will pause new bookings after December 31, 2024.
There is a consultation process with ZipCar’s 71 UK staff members about this decision.
ZipCar has approximately 650,000 members in the UK, mainly in London.
Users rent cars through an app and pick them up from designated parking spots.
ZipCar reported a decrease in revenue from £53 million to £47 million in 2024.
The company experienced a financial loss of £11.6 million after tax.
ZipCar attributes financial difficulties to the "cost of living crisis" in the UK.
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The United States and the United Kingdom have agreed on a trade deal that removes tariffs on medical products. In return, the UK will spend more on medicines and adjust how it values their prices. The UK's NHS will increase its budget for treatments by 25% over the next three years.
Key Facts
The US and UK agreed to zero tariffs on medicines and medical products.
The UK's NHS will spend 25% more on treatments for at least the next three years.
The UK will change how it values new medicines, affecting the prices it pays.
The NHS uses a measure called "quality-adjusted life year" to determine a drug's cost-effectiveness.
President Trump advocated for Europe to pay more for US medicines.
The UK promised to cut the rebate rate paid by companies to the NHS to 15% by 2026.
The agreement encourages pharmaceutical companies to invest in the UK.
Companies like Bristol Myers Squibb plan significant investments in the UK following the deal.
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Logan's Roadhouse has introduced a new holiday menu featuring Prime Rib weekends and take-and-bake feasts available until January. The restaurant aims to provide simplified holiday meals for families and encourage customer visits through special seasonal dishes and drinks.
Key Facts
Logan's Roadhouse launched its holiday menu, available from now until January.
Prime Rib Weekends occur every Friday through Sunday between October 31, 2025, and February 22, 2026.
Customers can preorder the Prime Rib Roadhouse Feasts starting October 27, with pickup until January 1.
The menu includes two feast options: the Ultimate Feast serving six to eight people or the Holiday Main Dish Feast with various meat options.
Limited-time fall dishes include appetizers, entrees, desserts, and seasonal cocktails.
The menu aims to reduce holiday stress for families by offering easy-to-prepare meal options.
The restaurant hopes to increase customer interest and foot traffic despite a cooling economy.
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