business

10/2/24

Taco Bell’s drive-thru is really quick but often wrong

One of our favorite annual datasets, QSR Magazine’s Drive-Thru Report, dropped yesterday and saw Taco Bell crowned as the fastest drive-thru in the industry for the 4th year in a row. But just how fast is the fastest food vendor in the business?

Well, Taco Bell customers could expect to spend just under 4 minutes and 15 seconds to complete the whole process (queuing for, placing, waiting on, and receiving their order) in 2024. But, although the Live Más chain is the fastest of the chains tracked, what it gains in speed it seems to lose in accuracy — according to the QSR report 15% of Taco Bell drive-thru orders were wrong.

Drive thru speeds — Sherwood News

Still, Taco Bell, which celebrated National Taco Day yesterday after recently swinging a deal with the organizers to ensure it always falls on a Tuesday, will be broadly happy with the results… and even happier when a fleet of new AI assistants start fitting into its already industry-leading system.

The 2024 QSR® Drive-Thru Report

The 2024 QSR® Drive-Thru Report

Well, Taco Bell customers could expect to spend just under 4 minutes and 15 seconds to complete the whole process (queuing for, placing, waiting on, and receiving their order) in 2024. But, although the Live Más chain is the fastest of the chains tracked, what it gains in speed it seems to lose in accuracy — according to the QSR report 15% of Taco Bell drive-thru orders were wrong.

Drive thru speeds — Sherwood News

Still, Taco Bell, which celebrated National Taco Day yesterday after recently swinging a deal with the organizers to ensure it always falls on a Tuesday, will be broadly happy with the results… and even happier when a fleet of new AI assistants start fitting into its already industry-leading system.

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business

9/12/25

Amazon is testing adding GM electric vans to its EV delivery fleet dominated by Rivian

Rivian may have some competition in its electric delivery van division: Bloomberg reports that Amazon is testing a small number of GM’s BrightDrop vans for its fleet.

According to Amazon, the test currently only includes a dozen of the vehicles. Amazon’s fleet also contains EVs from Ford, Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz.

GM debuted BrightDrop in 2021, but the vehicles have struggled to sell and piled up on GM lots due to high prices and steep competition. GM began offering up to 40% rebates on the vehicles this year.

The test comes as Rivian struggles through tariffs and the end of EV tax credits. Earlier this year, it lowered its annual delivery outlook by about 13%. As of June, Amazon said it has more than 25,000 Rivian vans across the US. Earlier this week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is still on track to deliver 100,000 vans to Amazon by 2030 and is “thinking about what comes beyond” that initial target.

GM has sold 1,592 BrightDrop vans through the first half of the year, more than the full-year total it sold in 2024.

Amazon Tests GM EV Delivery Vans in Bid to Meet Climate Goals

Amazon Tests GM EV Delivery Vans in Bid to Meet Climate Goals

GM debuted BrightDrop in 2021, but the vehicles have struggled to sell and piled up on GM lots due to high prices and steep competition. GM began offering up to 40% rebates on the vehicles this year.

The test comes as Rivian struggles through tariffs and the end of EV tax credits. Earlier this year, it lowered its annual delivery outlook by about 13%. As of June, Amazon said it has more than 25,000 Rivian vans across the US. Earlier this week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is still on track to deliver 100,000 vans to Amazon by 2030 and is “thinking about what comes beyond” that initial target.

GM has sold 1,592 BrightDrop vans through the first half of the year, more than the full-year total it sold in 2024.

Chris Stokel-Walker9/12/25

Claire Yubin Oh

Shake Shack is launching a French onion soup... burger

The fast-casual chain will be hoping premium upsells can fatten up its profit margins.

Shake Shack French onion soup burger

business

9/11/25

Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing an Ellison-backed Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid, sending shares soaring

Paramount Skydance is preparing a majority cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, The Wall Street Journal reported, sending shares of both companies surging. The Journal’s sources say the deal is backed by the Ellison family, led by David Ellison.

WBD shares were up 30% on the report, while Paramount Skydance jumped 8%.

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

Exclusive | Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Exclusive | Paramount Skydance Prepares Ellison-Backed Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

As tariffs take root, August new vehicle prices climb by the most in more than 2 years

According to data from Cox Automotive, 17 vehicle brands raised prices of their new vehicles by more than 3% in August.

Ford Issues Recalls On Some Of Its Mach-E Mustangs And Aviators

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