 |
|
|
|||||
Taco Bell, best known for Mexican-inspired grub like nachos and chalupas, is expanding its beverage offerings. The move, which seeks to cater to Gen Z’s insatiable thirst for both energy drinks and mocktails, includes the addition of six new bubbly creations to the summer menu, with three drinks sticking around permanently. Were seeing today that people, especially younger consumers, are reaching for refreshing drinks as part of their lifestyle, whether its for energy or a sweet treat throughout the day, Liz Matthews, Taco Bells Global chief food innovation officer, said in a release announcing the drinks. So, were making big investments to become the ultimate beverage stop where our fans can expect to see the same bold, unexpected creativity in their cups as they do on their plates,” Matthews added.The new nationwide lineup includes three fruit-flavored Refrescas, two energy drinks, and one frozen offering. The brand’s Refrescas are available in Strawberry Passionfruit, Dragonfruit Berry, and Mango Peach, and are set to remain on the menu post-summer. The energy drinks, which have 200 mg. of caffeine, come in Pineapple Lime or Tropical Punch Rockstar Energy Refresca. The frozen drink, the brand’s Refresca Freeze, a “frozen take on the Refresca line-up, featuring real freeze-dried fruit pieces,” is available in Strawberry Lime flavor.Drink menus that go beyond the typical cola options are certainly becoming a hot (cold) commodity. Major beverage chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’, who already served their own version of refreshers, both added energy drinks to their menus last year. And brands like Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s have expanded beverage offerings, too. Now, Taco Bell is going “all in” on the buzzy beverage trend. According to the latest announcement, Taco Bell says it’s aiming to reach $5 billion in beverage sales alone in the next five years.The brand, which has managed to remain competitive even as fast food chains have struggled in recent years, is no stranger to evolution. It has also reimagined its in-store experience with the introduction of its Live Más Café, a barista-style concept it tested in Chula Vista, California that proved successful. Per the announcement, the brand will expand the concept to 30 more Taco Bell locations across Southern California and Texas by year’s end.“This is just the beginning of a multi-year beverage transformation, and Taco Bell is making one thing clear: bold refreshment is officially on the menu,” the announcement said.
Category:
E-Commerce
Welcome to Crypto Week: No, contrary to what it sounds like, thats not a period coined by some crypto bro investor. Instead, it’s the name members of the U.S. House of Representatives have given to the week that kicked off yesterday, on July 14. Heres what you need to know about Crypto Week and how its events could change the future of the cryptocurrency industry. What is Crypto Week? Crypto Week is the term given to the week of July 14, 2025. The term was coined by the U.S. House of Representatives House Leadership, as well as the House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill, and the House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson. Crypto Week is so designated because during this week, the House will vote on three bills that could significantly impact the future of cryptocurrencies in the United States. The bills, according to the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, feature heavily in Congress efforts to make America the crypto capital of the world. The House Committee on Financial Services originally announced Crypto Week at the beginning of this month. We are taking historic steps to ensure the United States remains the worlds leader in innovation and I look forward to Crypto Week in the House, Chairman French Hill said. After years of dedicated work in Congress on digital assets, we are advancing landmark legislation to establish a clear regulatory framework for digital assets that safeguards consumers and investors, provides rules for the issuance and operation of dollar-backed payment stablecoins, and permanently blocks the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to safeguard Americans financial privacy. The legislation Hill referenced includes three different bills coming before the House this week: The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act The GENIUS Act of 2025 Heres a rundown of what each bill entails. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 As noted by CNBC, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, also known as the CLARITY Act, looks to regulate cryptocurrencies by establishing roles for the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to do so. As noted by the bills summary, the CLARITY Act establishes a regulatory framework for digital commodities, which the bill defines as digital assets that rely upon a blockchain for their valuein other words, cryptocurrency. Generally, industries dont like regulation. However, as Coinbase notes, the passage of the CLARITY Act, which would give regulators more oversight over digital tokens, is viewed as beneficial for the crypto industry as a whole, as it would further legitimize the industry in the eyes of investors. The increased legitimacy of cryptocurrencies, along with enhanced regulatory protections, could lead to more investors opting to invest in crypto, thereby boosting its value. The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a digital dollar. As stated by the bills summary, the act would prohibit a Federal Reserve bank from offering products or services directly to an individual, maintaining an account on behalf of an individual, or issuing a central bank digital currency (i.e., a digital dollar). While many nations are exploring the issuance of their own digital currency, there are serious privacy concerns about such tokens. Privacy proponents fear that a state-backed digital currency could easily allow a government to track every transaction a person makes. Privacy proponents also worry that if a digital dollar becomes the primary store of value, the government could retaliate against individuals or groups by cutting off their access to the currency, leaving them unable to spend their money. The GENIUS Act of 2025 The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins of 2025, or GENIUS Act, would regulate stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to a stable asset, such as the U.S. dollar. Stablecoins pegged to the dollar are generally much less volatile than those that are not, which helps mitigate some investment risk. Popular stablecoins include Tether and USDC. The GENIUS Act would introduce regulation to the stablecoin market, requiring institutions that offer stablecoins to maintain liquid reserves that back up the value of their stablecoins. In addition, the bill would establish other regulatory frameworks, including ensuring stablecoin holders have priority over other claimants in the case that a stablecoin issuer files for bankruptcy. How will Crypto Week affect cryptocurrency prices? Its impossible to tell how Crypto Week will impact cryptocurrency prices of coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. Crypto king Bitcoin recently hit all-time highs, and any legislation that is passed that makes Bitcoin a more appealing investment option could cause the digital token to rise even further. The stock prices of companies involved in cryptocurrencies could also be impacted this week, depending on the outcome of voting on the above bills. Those companies include Coinbase Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: COIN) and Robinhood Markets, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOOD).
Category:
E-Commerce
If youve ever sprinted through an airport only to land in a standing-room-only lounge buffet line, you know that the state of modern travel perks is competitive. As credit card companies and airlines rush to expand their lounge footprints, American Express is looking to double down on what it believes sets it apart: consistency, exclusivity, and culinary experience. This summer, Amex is rolling out two major updates that signal how it plans to maintain its lead in the fast-growing airport lounge landscape. The first is “The Culinary Collective,” a chef-driven revamp of food and beverage offerings at Centurion Lounges nationwide. The second is “Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge,” a brand-new, fast-format lounge experience thats set to launch at Las Vegass Harry Reid International Airport in 2026. Together, these updates offer a glimpse at Amexs evolving strategy: appealing to both high-end leisure travelers and time-crunched business flyers, all while keeping its signature level of luxury intact. A new flavor of exclusivity Rather than chasing square footage like Delta Air Lineswhose newest Sky Club in Atlanta can seat over 500 guestsAmex is banking on curated experience over capacity. Thats where The Culinary Collective comes in. Featuring rotating menus from a team of James Beard Award-winning chefs, including Mashama Bailey and Kwame Onwuachi, the initiative aims to bring restaurant-level meals into the airport setting. Youd be lucky to get into each of their restaurants on a normal day, Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, tells Fast Company. Now, you can try them all in one trip. Through the Collective, new menu items will be available in all 15 U.S. Centurion Lounges beginning July 29, 2025. The focus on thoughtful dining mirrors Capital Ones approach, which leans into local partnerships with regional bakeries and breweries to create an experience that feels like stepping into a citys best café, not another airline lounge. Amex, in turn, is opting for hospitality as theater: chef-driven menus, cocktails developed by Overstorys Harrison Ginsberg, and lounge layouts designed to feel more like boutique hotels than waiting rooms. Introducing Sidecar: A lounge for the layover-challenged But what if you only have 45 minutes until boarding? Enter Sidecar, a new lounge format designed to give travelers a premium experience even if theyre short on time. Set to launch in 2026, the space will offer table-side service, curated small plates, and a speakeasy vibeall within close proximity to the main Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas. Think of it as Amexs answer to the crowding crisis thats plagued lounge operators in recent years. Rather than just add square footage like Delta or increase access fees like United, Sidecar is an attempt to diversify the experience based on how travelers actually use lounges. Were seeing a significant segment of travelers who only spend 30 to 45 minutes in the lounge, said Hendley. Sidecar is our way of honoring that time with the same level of care and service. That echoes Capital Ones design philosophy for its growing lounge network, which includes grab-and-go options, regionally inspired food, and perfect airport beers crafted in collaboration with local breweries. As Capital Ones Jenn Scheurich put it: It doesnt really matter whether you have 15 minutes or an houryou still want a great lounge experience. Travel benefits for the TikTok generation The updates come as American Express embarks on its largest Platinum Card refresh in company history, with new perks targeting millennial and Gen Z cardholders, who now make up 35% of the companys U.S. consumer spending. With over 1,550 lounges worldwideincluding 29 Centurion Lounges and new ones coming to Salt Lake City, Newark, Tokyo, and AmsterdamAmex already boasts the largest global lounge network of any U.S. card issuer. But in a post-pandemic travel boom where lounge access is no longer a rarity but a battleground, the pressure to keep experiences differentiated is high. While Delta is betting big on footprint and familiarity, leaning into hometown-inspired art and hospitality in its new Atlanta Sky Club, Amex is betting that its brand of curated luxury still wins loyaltyeven if that means skipping the buffet for a quick cocktail before boarding. More than perks: a play for emotional loyalty For American Express, lounges like the new Centurion Sidecar in Las Vegas arent just about creature comfortstheyre part of a broader strategy to build what the company sees as lasting, emotional loyalty. Yes, the lounge has yuzu cocktails and espresso crme brlée. But it also has something harder to measure: the feeling of being taken care of when everything else about air travel is chaos. Were always looking for ways to better understand how customers travel and what theyre looking for in the experience, says Hendley. Theres nothing better than settling in at a Centurion Lounge and starting your trip with a great meal and a great drink. Whether youre going on vacation or traveling for work, we want to make that moment count. For now, Amex is staying tight-lipped about the specifics of its Platinum Card refresh. What it has made clear is that the refresh is aimed squarely at younger travelers. Theyre not just looking for benefitstheyre looking for a brand that gets them, Hendley said. That means spaces that feel modern and intimate, perks that are easy to use, and partnerships that feel aspirational but not out of reach. To stand apart from its rivals, American Express is banking on design, consistency, and culinary clout to keep members engaged. And in Sidecars case, its also about speed. Many of our visitors spend less than an hour in our lounges, and weve created Sidecar specifically for them, Hendley said. You still want a great lounge experiencejust in a shorter window. Ultimately, the lounge is the hookbut the goal is bigger. Amex wants card members to feel like wherever theyre going, the brand is already there, holding the door open and mixing the drink.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||