How Mixue surpassed McDonald’s and Starbucks in locations with unique model
Mixue, a Chinese company with stores across Asia and Australia, now has the most locations of any fast-food-and-beverage chain in the world, according to a Wall Street Journal report with data compiled from research firm Technomic.
Mixue reportedly had 45,000 stores at the end of 2024, more than doubling its locations from three years ago.
Valued at more than $10 billion, the fast-food joint offers ice cream and drinks on the cheap at prices under a buck.
Mixue, a Chinese company with stores across Asia and Australia, now has the most locations of any fast-food-and-beverage chain in the world, according to a Wall Street Journal report with data compiled from research firm Technomic.
The menu is simple, including its signature ice cream cone, a variety of bubble teas and lemonade, which led the chain to become China’s biggest purchaser of lemons.
Where does most of its revenue come from?
The company also reportedly charges low franchising fees and brings in most of its revenue by selling supplies to franchisees.
The bright red stores are often next to phone-repair-kiosks or “dumpling shops” and are ubiquitous in Chinese pop culture with a mascot known as the Snow King and a catchy theme song.
Amazon takes further steps to back away from diversity, equity and inclusion
Amazon is taking additional steps to back away from specific references to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The latest move came in the filing of its annual report for 2024.
Various major companies have backed away from DEI policies after the election of Donald Trump in November.
Some companies, such as Costco, are keeping DEI in their initiatives and practices.
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Amazon is continuing to remove references to diversity, equity and inclusion since the election of President Donald Trump. The company filed its annual report for 2024 during the week of Feb. 2, and scrubbed any reference to DEI.
Where did Amazon make changes to its DEI language?
Amazon’s prior annual report included a section titled Human Capital, which stated that it focuses on inclusion and diversity in hiring and developing talent.
Under the same section in the most recent report, it says the company relies on numerous and evolving initiatives to be the best employer and implements this objective in developing talent. The words inclusion and diversity are notably gone.
What other steps have been taken by the company?
This comes just a couple of months after Amazon ended some of its DEI programs. CNBC cites a memo from a vice president of the company, which said Amazon was winding down outdated programs and materials as part of a broader review of initiatives.
In addition, the Amazon website that previously had sections dedicated to equity for Black employees, LGBTQ+ rights and diversity, equity and inclusion has been replaced by a single paragraph that calls inequitable treatment of anyone unacceptable and that it advocates for policies designed to remove barriers to equity, while creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Where do other big-name companies stand on this issue?
Amazon is joined by other companies in the move, including Google, Meta, McDonald’s, Walmart and Target, that have ended or moved away from DEI programs. Others, such as Costco, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, are standing by their DEI policies.
GOP lawmaker suggests high school students work rather than get free lunch
A Republican congressman is making headlines after remarks he made about the school lunch program during a CNN interview on Tuesday, Jan. 28. NBC News reported that Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., suggested “some children receiving free school lunches should work at McDonald’s instead.” Other left-leaning outlets, including The Daily Beast and USA Today, also covered McCormick’s comments over whether some high school students should work rather than receive free lunch at school.
A “media miss” in the coverage of McCormick’s comments
At Straight Arrow News, we define a “media miss” as when a story garners attention primarily from news outlets with either a left or right political lean. This story is an example of that, as it has been widely covered by left-leaning outlets but has yet to receive significant attention from right-leaning news outlets.
These media misses can sometimes reflect a form of media bias, where one side oversaturates a story, and the other side omits it. This can frame the narrative within a particular political context.
The context behind McCormick’s remarks
CNN interviewed McCormick regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily freezing some federal grants and loans. The order has since been rescinded by the Trump administration.
The conversation between CNN and McCormick turned to whether federal assistance, including funds for free school lunch programs, would be affected by the executive order.
“I don’t know about you but I worked my way through high school,” McCormick said. “You’re telling me that kids who stay at home instead of going to work at Burger King or McDonald’s during the summer should stay at home and get their free lunch instead of going to work? I think we need to have a top down review.”
CNN anchor Pamela Brown countered, noting that many children who receive free lunches are younger than working age, such as those in Head Start programs. McCormick clarified that his comments were not aimed at younger children but rather able and working-age high school students.
“How many kids got their start in fast food restaurants when they were kids versus a blanket rule that gives all kids lunches in high school who are capable of going out and getting a job and doing something that gives them value … thinking about their future instead of thinking how they’re going to sponge off the government when they don’t need to,” McCormick said.
McCormick calls for “top-down review” of free lunch programs
During the interview, Brown also asked McCormick if he believed all children in his district receiving free lunches were “just sitting at home and not working.”
“No, this gives us a chance to see where the money is really being spent,” McCormick responded.
McCormick compared the free lunch program for working-age students to government incentives that he believes encourage people to stay at home and not work. He expressed concern that the country was losing its way and reiterated his call for a “top-down review.”
White House responds to confusion over federal freeze
There had been confusion about the impact of Trump’s executive order on federal assistance programs, with some questioning whether school lunch programs are affected. White House officials like Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller clarified that the freeze did not impact public benefit programs, including school lunches.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that individuals receiving assistance would not be impacted by the executive order.
Welcome to the first dumb media hoax of 2025. OMB ordered a review of funding to NGOs, foreign governments and large discretionary contracts. It explicitly excluded all aid and benefit programs. Leftwing media outright lied and some people fell for the hoax.
The Trump administration rescinded the executive order on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
McCormick’s comments and the subsequent coverage of the issue have sparked further debate about the future of federal assistance programs, including the free lunch program for students, as the Trump administration looks to cut what it calls wasteful government spending. A new Reuters poll suggested the majority of Americans, 61%, are on board with downsizing the government.
Organization sues McDonald’s over college scholarships for Latinos
The American Alliance for Equal Rights is suing restaurant chain McDonald’s for alleged discrimination. The organization, led by Edward Blum, who successfully argued against affirmative action in colleges before the U.S. Supreme Court, is now targeting the golden arches and its scholarship program for Latino and Hispanic students.
The lawsuit alleges that McDonald’s Hacer National Scholarship discriminates against non-Hispanics and racial minorities, such as Black people, Arab people and Native Americans. It claims those groups are barred from receiving the scholarship based on their ethnic heritage and that discrimination is unlawful.
The lawsuit was filed in Nashville, Tennessee, where the program is administered by a company named International Scholarship and Tuition Service.
Hacer is one of the biggest corporate awards for high school seniors in the country. Those scholarships range from $5,000 to $100,000. The scholarships are limited to students with at least one parent who is of Latino or Hispanic heritage.
Since the mid-1980s, McDonald’s says it has awarded more than $33 million to more than 17,000 Hispanic and Latino students. The company selects recipients based on their academic achievement, community involvement, personal statement and financial need.
The American Alliance for Equal Rights is seeking an injunction because the deadline to apply is less than one month away on Feb. 6. The suit notes that an unnamed high school student from Arkansas, who is not Latino or Hispanic, wants to apply for a scholarship.
Blum wants McDonald’s to put the program on hold “so it can be opened to all under-resourced high-school students, regardless of their ethnic heritage.”
McDonald’s says it is now reviewing the lawsuit. It comes at a time when big companies, including McDonald’s, have begun to roll back their diversity initiatives.
Amazon joins other companies in scaling back DEI programs
Amazon is scaling back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, joining a growing list of major corporations making similar moves in light of increasing political scrutiny. The company’s Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology Candi Castleberry sent out a recently uncovered memo to employees last month, Bloomberg reported.
In it, Castleberry said the company was winding down outdated diversity and inclusion programs.
“Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes — and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture,” Castleberry said.
The note didn’t say which programs the company planned to drop, but The Washington Post reported sections from its website including “Equity for Black People” and “LGBTQ+ Rights” were removed from the page, along with all mentions of “transgender.”
Amazon’s site currently still has other diversity sections listed, including “Latinos at Amazon,” “Amazon People with Disabilities” and “Black Employee Network.”
In 2020, Amazon set a goal of doubling the number of Black employees in vice president and director roles and announced the same goal in 2021 in addition to pledging to hire 30% more Black employees in top positions.
Other major companies have also recently curbed DEI programs. On Friday, Jan. 10, Straight Arrow News reported Meta was ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs effective immediately.
McDonald’s, Ford and Walmart also made similar moves.
The DEI changes come ahead of a second term for President-elect Donald Trump, who signed an executive order toward the end of his first term in 2020 banning diversity training in government agencies, contractors and institutions that get federal funding.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order when he took office asking government agencies to promote chief diversity officers and hold DEI training, which some are now anticipating Trump will eliminate.
The changes for companies also come after conservative criticism of DEI programs and the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in 2023, reversing a decades-long effort to boost enrollment of racial minorities at universities.
The debate has critics who argue DEI policies violate the principle of equal treatment under the law when it comes to admissions, hiring and promotions against advocates who say diversity programs are still necessary to address inequality.
KFC opens new ‘Saucy’ restaurant focused on tenders, sauces
KFC is bringing a different flavor to the table, 11 flavors in fact, with its new concept, “Saucy.” The restaurant opened in Orlando, Florida, on Monday, Dec. 23.
While KFC, known for its fried chicken, is behind this new location, “Saucy” is all about chicken tenders and the sauces that come with them.
Customers can order the sauces individually or on a flight of four. There are 11 sauces to choose from, a nod to the 11 herbs and spices in “KFC’s Original Recipe.”
Some of the flavors are smokey bacon ranch, spicy mango chutney, sweet teriyaki, creole honey mustard and Saucy’s sauce. According to KFC, there seem to be over 4,000 different ways to order.
Beyond the sauces and tenders, Saucy offers sandwiches like the spicy queso crunch, desserts like the chocolate mousse cake and beverages like a blue raspberry freeze.
KFC said the restaurant’s design is meant to “delight the boldest generations of diners” by giving them a “tech-forward customer experience.” Customers can order their meals at kiosks. They’re also encouraged to hang out and enjoy live entertainment at the restaurant.
KFC chose Orlando due to its diverse demographic, according to officials. They said more “Saucy” restaurants are on the way. KFC’s “Saucy” joins legacy fast food chains creating innovative concepts.
McDonald’s has opened several of its “CosMc’s” restaurants across the country. This small-format brand’s bread and butter is beverages, though like “Saucy,” it also offers a spicy queso sandwich, among other items.
Taco Bell chose to focus on speed of delivery and drive-thru efficiency with its “Defy” concept. Burger King opened a similar concept with its “Sizzle” locations.
With an industry that generated nearly $400 billion in revenue in 2023, fast food companies are looking to find new ways to make that number grow bigger and bigger, whether it be with new restaurant designs, new drive-thru layouts or a bunch of new sauces.
Mother, 10-year-old daughter sue McDonald’s over E. coli outbreak
Just a few weeks after the Centers for Disease Control announced a deadly E. coli outbreak involving onions served at McDonald’s was over, the fast-food chain has now been hit with a lawsuit. A Colorado mother and her 10-year-old daughter filed the lawsuit in an Illinois court.
On Oct. 22, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of yellow onions distributed to McDonald’s for its quarter-pounder burgers. The fast-food chain stopped using the onions at some of its restaurants. The company also stopped sourcing from a Colorado Springs Taylor Farms factory indefinitely.
According to the CDC, the outbreak sickened at least 104 people in 14 states. At least one person died in Colorado. The state had the largest number of those sickened in the outbreak, at least 30.
According to the lawsuit, 29-year-old Geovanna Zambrano and her 10-year-old daughter ordered the burgers from McDonald’s on Oct. 17.
The next day, the two experienced signs of E. coli poisoning, including nausea and stomach cramps. According to the lawsuit, doctors diagnosed the two with viral gastroenteritis at a hospital. The symptoms continued for several more days.
In the filed complaint, Morgan & Morgan attorneys John Morgan and Aaron Clite said, “The most basic duty of the companies that grow, package, cook and prepare our food is to not make us sick. We allege that McDonald’s, which touts itself as the world’s largest fast-food chain, has failed to meet that baseline expectation.”
McDonald’s said it doesn’t comment on active litigation but directed local news stations to comments made by its U.S. president, Joe Erlinger, in October 2024
“On behalf of the McDonald’s system, I want you to hear from me, we are sorry,” Erlinger said. “For those customers affected, you have my commitment that led by our values we will make this right. As we move forward, I want to reassure you that customers can continue to count on McDonald’s to always do the right thing.”
The suit by the Colorado mother and daughter follows a class action lawsuit filed against Taylor Farms in November 2024 and another against McDonald’s filed in December 2024.
Attorneys said this newest lawsuit is the first related to the outbreak to include a child plaintiff.
How social media personalities are shaping the future of marketing
Forget traditional TV ads — marketing is evolving, with social media personalities driving the change. Social streaming platforms and influencers like Kai Cenat are reshaping how brands connect with consumers.
From record-breaking Twitch marathons to influencer-led campaigns, brands are finding success by tapping into authentic digital communities.
Kai Cenat’s groundbreaking Twitch “subathon“
Cenat, a 22-year-old content creator known for comedic and over-the-top livestreams, recently hosted a monthlong Twitch “subathon.”
For 24 hours a day, viewers could watch Cenat do everything from eating and sleeping to engaging with fans and special guests.
Some of his guests included Kevin Hart, Kyrie Irving and Bill Nye the Science Guy. The goal was to entertain his loyal followers while breaking Twitch’s record for the most subscribers. Cenat smashed the previous record of 326,250, ending his subathon with 727,700 subscribers and over 50 million unique viewers.
The financial impact of social streaming
Cenat’s financial gains were massive. At $4.99 per subscription, he potentially earned up to $3.6 million.
The exact amount is unclear since Twitch takes a percentage but the earnings didn’t stop there. Ads and brand deals with companies like Nike and McDonald’s add to the haul.
Social media marketing vs. traditional TV ads
According to a Statista study, 41% of consumers purchased products after seeing social media ads, compared to 43% influenced by TV commercials. Among Gen Z and millennials, social media dominates. About 62% of Gen Zers and 53% of millennials reported being influenced by online ads.
Jason McDonald, the director of JM Internet Group, told Straight Arrow News that the marketing industry has changed a lot in the last few years.
“Marketing has become a much more technical profession than it used to be, and that creates a lot of opportunities for young people,” McDonald said.
The McDonald’s restaurant’s senior marketing director highlighted how the company collaborated with Cenat, saying in a post, “because he’s one of the most influential talents in the world… and an absolute fan of the Big Mac.”
Timeless keys to marketing success
While marketing trends constantly evolve, some foundations remain essential. McDonald says there are two keys skills people need to be good at in order to be successful at marketing.
“Being a good storyteller is incredibly important… And at a technical level, getting skillful at producing video,” McDonald said.
As social media continues to grow, storytelling and video production are the cornerstones of impactful marketing strategies.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
New details continue to emerge about the man charged with murder in the killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO. And wildfires burn out of control in southern California as strong winds are forecast to make matters worse. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
Luigi Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania as he fights extradition to New York one week after authorities say he shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
The murder suspect did not waive his extradition to New York. That means Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania as he has 14 days to challenge the detention.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it will seek a governor’s warrant to force extradition to New York where Mangione faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will sign a warrant for his extradition to ensure he is “tried and held accountable.”
Watch the @ABC7NY interview where Deputy Commissioner of @NYPDCT Rebecca Weiner and Chief of @NYPDDetectives Joseph Kenny discuss the ongoing investigation regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3WH9Y0JkMJ
In court Tuesday, Mangione was denied bail on the felony charges of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license in Pennsylvania.
“He has indicated a plea of not guilty. The only charges that we’ve seen thus far, have been the ones here in Pennsylvania. And we have pled not guilty to those charges,” his attorney Thomas Dickey told reporters.
As the investigation in New York murder continues, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told Fox News they are looking into whether the suspect suffered a back injury and filed any claims with the insurance industry prior to the shooting. Mangione’s roommate in Hawaii told various broadcasts Mangione’s back surgery caused him great pain and he was extremely angry about it.
Mangione had three pages of writing on him when he was arrested inside a Pennsylvania McDonald’s Monday morning, Dec. 9. The NYPD said the notes were addressed to “the feds” and told authorities he acted alone.
Investigators said Mangione may have been inspired by the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and they’re working to determine whether Thompson was the target of “a symbolic takedown” against corporate corruption.
In November, Mangione’s mother had filed a missing persons report for him in San Francisco. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, that came after no one had heard from Mangione since July.
In a statement, Mangione’s family said, “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”
Fallout from South Korea’s short-lived martial law period
The fallout from South Korea’s martial law declaration widens as the imprisoned former defense minister attempted to take his own life.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently being detained at a facility in Seoul on alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law last week, attempted to take his own life late Tuesday night.https://t.co/aHM6HP5TUS
Authorities said former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has been moved to an isolation room after an attempt on his own life before his formal arrest warrant was issued Tuesday night. Kim was the first public figure to be detained over the martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and is accused of being the one to recommend the move.
Separately Tuesday, South Korean police said they sent officers to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office as part of the investigation into the declaration.
Yoon is now banned from leaving the country as police and prosecutors investigate whether he and his supporters in the government as well as the military committed an insurrection when they sent armed troops into the National Assembly last week to try to prevent lawmakers from gathering to cancel the martial law decree. They were ultimately unsuccessful; lawmakers voted unanimously to end martial law just six hours after it was put in place.
Investigators have vowed to arrest, or at least detain, Yoon, who is still the country’s president. He refused to resign after an impeachment attempt on Saturday, Dec. 8, failed when members of his party left parliament and boycotted the vote.
The country’s main opposition party says it’s preparing a new impeachment motion and a vote on that is expected as early as this Saturday, Dec. 14.
Malibu wildfire reaches more than 3,000 acres, 0% contained
Firefighters in Southern California are battling a raging wildfire that has prompted evacuations and damaged homes in the affluent beach community of Malibu, northwest of Los Angeles. The Franklin Fire has spread to more than 3,000 acres and was 0% contained as of CalFire’s update at 9:47 p.m. PT Tuesday.
The fast-moving inferno broke out late Monday night and quickly grew, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. Some gusts were reported as strong as 90 miles per hour.
Widespread Red Flag conditions across much of Southern California due to Santa Ana Winds will continue to be a threat to residents and property throughout the week.
The Franklin Fire in L.A. County has already consumed over 2200 acres this morning, forcing many evacuations. For… pic.twitter.com/7diQcNdi6B
More than 1,500 firefighters had been assigned to battle the flames and smoke.
Students, teachers and administrators at Pepperdine University were told to shelter in place as the fire kept getting closer and closer. Final exams were canceled.
There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries, but officials said the fire has destroyed at least seven homes so far. The National Weather Service forecast days of extreme dry windy weather ahead.
Federal judge blocks sale of Infowars to The Onion
Jones was forced to put the platform up for sale to help pay $1.5 billion in damages that he owes to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims for falsely claiming the massacre in Connecticut was a hoax.
Tuesday night, a federal bankruptcy judge said there was a lack of transparency in the auction process, and it failed to maximize value for the victims’ families, even though they had given their approval for Infowars to be sold to The Onion for an undisclosed amount of money.
NJ lawmaker calls for ‘limited state of emergency’ over drones
Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said mysterious drones seen flying over New Jersey in recent weeks should prompt a “limited state of emergency.” Bramnick said in a statement New Jersey should ban all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.
His statement came after the mayors of 21 New Jersey towns wrote a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy demanding action.
The FBI so far has only said it is doing all it can to figure out what is going on and the public can continue to call in tips.
This comes a year after GM grounded its fleet of driverless vehicles after an accident in California that led to Cruise being fined $1.5 million.
GM, which owns about 90% of Cruise, said it intends to buy the remainder of the company and will combine GM and Cruise technical teams. GM cited an “increasingly competitive robotaxi market” as one reason it will no longer fund the business.
Cruise founder Kyle Vogt, who left the company in 2023, reacted to the news on X saying, “In case it was unclear before, it is clear now: GM are a bunch of dummies.”
Pa. McDonald’s ‘review bombed’ after arrest of suspected CEO shooter
A McDonald’s employee’s actions led to the arrest of the man suspected of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Pennsylvania law enforcement praised the worker for a break in the case while some corners of the internet are doing the complete opposite.
The worker has been labeled a “snitch” and a “rat” for tipping off police to the fast-food chain’s Altoona restaurant.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was spotted eating at a local McDonald’s. The employee recognized the man based on photos released by the NYPD during their hunt for the elusive shooter. Thompson was shot in the back on Dec. 4 on the streets of Manhattan in an attack that police call targeted.
The tip from the worker also opened the flood gates to negative reviews inundating Google. Dozens of people left one-star reviews for three McDonald’s locations in Altoona.
“This locations has rats in the kitchen that will make you sick and your insurance isn’t going to cover it,” said one review.
It’s the latest case of “review bombing,” when businesses are slammed with bad reviews for unrelated situations. Another Pennsylvania McDonald’s went through the same thing in October after Donald Trump visited and worked the drive-thru line while on the campaign trail.
Google said the reviews go against its current policy and the company stepped in to remove any comments related to the shooting.
Yelp also made the same decision. The company began shutting down reviews for the locations. A statement also pops up on its website, citing unusual activity.
“This business recently received increased public attention, which often means people come to this page to post their views on the news.”
Statement by Yelp
Thompson’s death has captivated the public and led to discussions on social media surrounding America’s health care industry. Many praise the killer and mock the CEO’s murder.
According to court documents, murder charges have been filed against Mangione in New York. He awaits extradition. The McDonald’s employee who called 911 could receive a $50,000 reward offered by the FBI or the $10,000 New York police posted for the suspect’s arrest.
Mangione faces multiple charges in Pennsylvania for gun and forgery following his arrest.