McDonald’s, the fast-food giant, has recently announced an increase in royalty fees for its franchisees, marking the first hike in nearly three decades. Starting January 1st, the fees will be raised from 4% to 5%. This change will have significant implications for various scenarios, including new franchisees, buyers of company-owned restaurants, and relocated restaurants. The
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has openly embraced the concept of “sportswashing” as a means to rehabilitate Saudi Arabia’s image on the international stage. Despite facing ongoing criticism for human rights abuses and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the crown prince sees sports investments as an opportunity to boost the country’s reputation and
The rollout of a new round of Covid vaccines in the U.S. has encountered significant obstacles, with some patients reporting delays in health insurance coverage for the shots. Despite the requirement for private insurance plans and government payers like Medicare to cover the new jabs from Pfizer and Moderna, delays in coverage have hindered the
Rocket Lab, the aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider, experienced a significant setback on Tuesday with its first launch failure in over two years. This failure, occurring during the 41st Electron rocket launch, has prompted a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the issue. The incident has had an immediate impact on the
Morgan Stanley, one of the leading investment banks and wealth management firms, has made a groundbreaking move by launching a generative AI assistant created with OpenAI’s latest software. In an internal memo obtained by CNBC, it was revealed that the assistant is now fully live for all financial advisors and their support staff. This significant
Throughout years of television dominance, Disney has established itself as an entertainment giant. However, with the rise of streaming platforms and the decline of traditional TV, the company is contemplating selling off its media assets, including ABC and its owned affiliates, linear cable networks, and a minority stake in ESPN. This strategic move is not
The United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union recently launched targeted strikes against the three major Detroit automakers, marking the first time in history that all three companies have been struck simultaneously. These stoppages specifically impact three plants where popular models like the Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Colorado, and Jeep Wrangler are manufactured. However, while the strikes
Coss Marte, the owner of a prospective marijuana dispensary in lower Manhattan, has already incurred losses of over $1 million despite his business not even being open yet. Marte was granted a dispensary license based on his prior marijuana-related convictions, as part of New York’s Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program. However, as the
Ford Motor is set to ramp up production of the hybrid version of its F-150 pickup truck as the company grapples with slower-than-expected sales of its all-electric vehicles. The automaker expects to increase sales of the V-6 hybrid model to roughly 20% during the 2024 model year in the U.S. While specific production figures have
A panel of independent advisors to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently recommended that all Americans aged 6 months and older should receive updated Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. This marks a significant step towards the distribution of these vaccines to the general public. The panel’s “universal” recommendation is aimed