Independent thinking for complex markets and current events
Fast food used to be the easiest choice. It was quick, affordable, and reliable. Something you didn’t have to think too much about after a long day. But lately, a lot of people are starting to notice that something feels different. Prices are higher, portions feel smaller, and the overall experience just doesn’t hit the …
Fast food used to be the easiest choice. It was quick, affordable, and reliable. Something you didn’t have to think too much about after a long day. But lately, a lot of people are starting to notice that something feels different. Prices are higher, portions feel smaller, and the overall experience just doesn’t hit the …
BREAKING: Iran is organizing nationwide human chains of youth, athletes, and artists at every power plant in the country at 2 PM Tehran time tomorrow, per Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth. The campaign is named “Human Chain of Iranian Youth for a Bright Future.” Its slogan: “attacking public infrastructure is a war crime.” International …
by Michael When global supply chains collapse, the pain is not felt immediately. Tankers that left their destinations before the war with Iran began are still arriving at their destinations, products that were manufactured prior to the war still fill our shelves, and we are still eating food that was produced last year. So even though …
China supplies the magnets inside the Arrow interceptor that defends Tel Aviv. China supplies the BeiDou satellite navigation inside the Fattah-2 missile that attacks Tel Aviv. The same country made the sword and the shield. And today, that country is hosting the diplomat who wants to broker peace between the people swinging the sword and …
In case you haven't heard, the US and NATO are saying diddly squat about Ukraine's recent targeting of Russian oil and fertilizer facilities. That means they support fuel shortages and future food shortages. I wonder why? https://t.co/8UkSSmV122 — Chris Martenson (@chrismartenson) March 29, 2026 BREAKING: Ukraine bombed Russia's 2nd largest oil refinery which produces jet …
🚨🌍 THE WORLD HAS 2–3 WEEKS BEFORE COLLAPSE Luke Gromen says supply chains are already cracking under pressure. He says if nothing changes, the global economy won’t hold much longer.@LukeGromen https://t.co/QYajJHCA85 pic.twitter.com/T4PyWG3vRl — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 26, 2026 Per Grok: If the US-Israel-Iran war extends another 2-3 weeks (now ~4 weeks in): – **Energy**: …
via Ok_Chemical9 I found this out the hard way last month when I picked up my generic blood pressure medication. My insurance copay was $47. On a whim, I asked the pharmacist what it would cost without insurance. $12. **Why YSK:** Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) negotiate prices between insurance companies and pharmacies, and sometimes those …
Fast food lost its "cheap and convenient" appeal. $14 for a quarter pounder meal? Lower class is priced out. Middle+ class will pay an extra $4 to get a sit-down meal at a more upscale place. McDonalds isn't the best example because they are doing well, but you get the point.… — combatoverride switch (@combatoverride) …
A student loan tsunami is coming, with 9.7 million borrowers in default for more than a quarter trillion in bad loans. Biden's student loan pause was a Ponzi — boosting spending while the debt monster grew in the dark. Now it’s hungry. pic.twitter.com/4Ojhiv8dnL — Peter St Onge, Ph.D. (@profstonge) August 14, 2025 Same store (comps) …
The Fed is about to cut rates while everything else hits all-time highs. Stocks, homes, rents, bitcoin, gold, household wealth — all at records. Unemployment sits at 4.2%. Inflation stays high. J.P. Morgan expects four rate cuts to bring the policy rate to 3.5%. https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2025-08-08/j-p-morgan-sees-fed-cutting-rates-at-each-of-its-next-four-meetings But Americans are struggling. Fast food sales dropped hard last …
In the past 180 days, over 1,500 restaurant locations have permanently shut their doors across America—that’s more than 8 restaurants closing every single day. This isn’t just bad business decisions. What’s happening right now is a perfect storm reshaping how Americans eat and spend money. When was the last time you went to a sit-down …
A former Palantir employee is sounding the alarm. The tech company, founded by Peter Thiel, claims they can revolutionize government systems with their AI-powered software. They’ve been hired by the Department of Defense, the FBI, ICE, and even Wendy’s. Now DOGE will likely hire Palantir as well. We talked to a former Palantir employee, dug …
The Civil War wasn’t won with rifles. It was won with railroads, factories, iron foundries, and textile mills. The Union didn’t just outfight the Confederacy. It outproduced it. By the time the South realized the war wouldn’t be over in six months, it was already too late. The North had the iron, the arms, the …
TRUMP AND XI ARE PLAYING A GLOBAL GAME OF ECONOMIC JENGA… AND IT’S GETTING WOBBLY This isn’t just a trade war anymore. It’s economic Jenga, and both sides are pulling the same crucial piece: global supply chains. Spoiler alert — the tower’s wobbling. Trump hit China with 145% tariffs. That’s not a slap, it’s a …
Global trade is falling fast 👀 pic.twitter.com/gsWsErePhm — Markets & Mayhem (@Mayhem4Markets) April 17, 2025 let me repeat again, inflation won’t hit US because of #tariffs charged on import but because of supply chain disruptions similar to Covid – as soon as shelves will start to be empty again people will understand the meaning of …
It’s no surprise that the restaurant industry remains unsafe from the economic turmoil in the US. Rising costs of living have left consumers with less money to dine out, significantly impacting the profitability of the franchises like Olive Garden, Panda Express, and even the NFL’s official pizza provider Little Caesars. These major brands are now …
To make America great again one thing we need to do is transition from an income-based tax system to a consumption-based tax system. Tariffs tax consumption. Since you get less of what you tax, tariffs reduce consumption. So, in the short run that means a severe U.S. recession. — Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) February 3, 2025 …
by Michael If there is something that you really need to buy, you might want to get it now, because it might not be available later. The International Longshoremen’s Association port workers are on the verge of initiating a strike which would shut down ports all over the East Coast and the Gulf Coast, and if …
Companies import early, shift goods to West Coast, use pricey flights to avoid strike ILA union and US Maritime Alliance at impasse over pay, risking supply chain disruptions Economists estimate strikes could reduce payrolls growth by 100,000 jobs if prolonged LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Reuters) – U.S. companies that rely on East and Gulf …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMs37wZgmcY In the fast-paced realm of the modern culinary landscape, fast food chains have long been a staple for those seeking quick, convenient, and often indulgent meals. However, the winds of change are blowing through the industry, casting a shadow over some of the once-dominant players.
The American restaurant industry, once dominated by well-established chains that appeared immune to economic ups and downs, is now undergoing a significant transformation. In recent years, a trend known as the “restaurant apocalypse” has been causing numerous closures, bankruptcies, and financial challenges. Long-time favorites like Burger King, Wendy’s, Boston Market, Red Lobster, and Popeyes face …
Burger King. Wendy’s. Boston Market. Red Lobster. Popeye’s. Arby’s. Corner Bakery. Carl’s Jr. The list goes on. On top of being some of the most iconic restaurants in the U.S., what do all of these companies have in common? According to U.S. Court documents, these brands have all faced bankruptcies over the past year as …
Supply chain disruptions. Congested ports. Delivery delays. Soaring shipping prices. All of this seemed like a distant memory from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s happening again, and conditions are far scarier this time around. The head of ocean freight of the Americas at Rhenus Logistics, Stephanie Loomis, who spends her days negotiating …
In recent years, the restaurant industry has been navigating through a storm of challenges, each wave more tumultuous than the last. Picture this: vibrant dining rooms once filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses now stand eerily quiet, shadows of their former selves. The pandemic was a wrecking ball, swinging with relentless force, shuttering …
Recent Closures: Dollar Tree announced plans to close 1,000 stores. Burger King also plans to close 400 stores. Other brands have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed sites across the country.
Fast Food is already so expensive, many companies are losing massive amounts of money, but in NYC there’s a new threat to these businesses…
Restaurants closing in 2024: – Fuddruckers is expected to close ALL locations by the end of the year – Old Country Buffet is closing ALL remainder locations – IHOP is closing 100 locations – Buffalo Wild Wings is closing ALL Canada locations as well as 60 locations in the US – Applebee’s is closing 35 …
The fast food industry has long been a staple in American culture, offering affordability, and a taste that millions have grown accustomed to. As consumer preferences and market dynamics continue to change, some fast-food chains find themselves in a difficult situation. In 2024, several once-popular chains are struggling with declining sales, changing consumer trends, and …
Over the past four years, many of us have had the unpleasant surprise of learning that our go-to restaurant, coffee shop, or fast food joint was closing doors for good. Thousands of well-established companies have gone out of business since the pandemic accelerated the descent of the U.S. economy, and conditions have been particularly tough …