Fast Food Search Trends in the U.S.

A woman in Australia was surprised by a loud noise in a McDonald's drive-thru line when a raw hamburger patty landed on her car windshield. McDonald's was found to be the most searched fast-food restaurant in 22 states, followed by Domino's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Chick-fil-A. Starbucks also ranked high in searches in some states. Other chains like Chipotle, Little Caesars, and Taco Bell were also popular in certain regions.

Starbucks Discrimination Lawsuit

Christopher Thevanesan, a former Starbucks manager, filed a lawsuit claiming he was discriminated against and harassed by LGBTQ+ coworkers due to his sexual orientation and gender typicality. The lawsuit alleges that Starbucks management failed to provide a safe work environment and ultimately fired Thevanesan because he is heterosexual.

Mixue Ice Cream and Tea surpassing McDonald's and Starbucks as the world's biggest food-and-beverage chain by number of locations

Mixue Ice Cream and Tea has become the world's biggest food-and-beverage chain by number of locations, surpassing McDonald's and Starbucks.

NFL Insiders Confrontation at Starbucks

A confrontation between NFL Insiders at a Starbucks in Indianapolis during the NFL Scouting Combine required NFL security to intervene. The conflict stemmed from conflicting reports about a meeting between Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford.

Starbucks Layoffs and Restructuring

Starbucks plans to lay off 1,100 corporate workers to simplify its structure and increase efficiency. Baristas will not be affected. CEO Niccol aims to drive greater impact on priorities and improve service times. The company has faced declining sales and competition in China.

Current Events in the U.S. Government, Education, Climate Change, Nature, and Business

President Trump is working to reshape the federal government by pausing financial assistance and offering federal employees a chance to quit. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces opposition for the Department of Health and Human Services role. The Nation's Report Card results are out, showing how students are doing in math and reading. Climate change fueled explosive wildfires in Los Angeles. Night hikes in Maryland's Patuxent River State Park reveal bioluminescence. Starbucks is making changes to attract more customers.

Starbucks Workers Strike for Fair Contract

Starbucks workers are on strike at hundreds of stores across the U.S., demanding a fair contract and better treatment. The strike is in response to Starbucks backtracking on negotiations for collective bargaining. The union is asking for higher wages, better benefits, and more consistent schedules.

Starbucks workers strike in multiple U.S. cities

Starbucks workers in multiple U.S. cities have expanded their strike over wages and working conditions, impacting a small number of stores with proposals for significant wage increases. Talks between Starbucks and the union have hit an impasse.

Investment in Sicilian Olive Oil Plantation by Former Starbucks CEO

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz invests in a Sicilian olive oil plantation, creating a new drink called Oleato. His involvement with Starbucks post-retirement has caused tension with the current CEO and activist hedge fund Elliott Management. The investment has raised corporate governance concerns.

Rise of Coffee Culture in China

China has surpassed the United States in the number of branded coffee shops, with a growing coffee culture driven by domestic chains like Luckin and incorporating traditional Chinese ingredients. The market is evolving as more people turn to coffee for its caffeine kick amidst job pressures.

Hidden Camera Scandal at Starbucks

A man in California secretly recorded over 90 people, some as young as 4 years old, with a hidden camera in a Starbucks bathroom. The suspect was apprehended with an arsenal of guns and illegal surveillance equipment.

Nestlé Recalls Starbucks Mugs Due to Injuries

Nestlé is recalling over 440,000 Starbucks mugs due to reports of injuries like burns and cuts. The ceramic mugs with metallic coating were sold as part of a 2023 holiday Starbucks-branded gift set.

Starbucks Layoffs in Middle East

Starbucks franchisee in the Middle East fires 2,000 workers due to ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The layoffs represent just over 10% of its staff.