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Blake, Wm. Œconomy and Self Denial are Necessary. 1791.

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Wendy’s is set to test an “Uber-style” surge pricing model in 2025, where prices will vary throughout the day based on demand.

The dynamic pricing will see items like the Dave’s Single burger potentially costing up to $1 more during peak times in places like Newark, NJ.

This move requires a $20 million investment in digital menu boards, allowing Wendy’s to adjust prices in real-time without additional costs.

A survey found that 52% of consumers view dynamic restaurant pricing as price gouging.

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Blake, Wm. Canto VI, object 6. 1803.

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Employers in New York City are adopting signature scents to make offices more appealing.

Hines, a real estate company, will introduce custom fragrances in over 20 buildings globally, aiming for a “sense of belonging.”

NYC has seen a 70% return to pre-pandemic office levels as firms like Amazon and Meta push in-person work policies.

Senior Vice President of Global Client Strategy, Hines: “Our mindset is, ‘How can we reframe the way people think about the office?’ If we can make it a place where people can associate positive memories with it, we need to do that in every possible realm that we can.”

Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Le Moyne College: “People often do say that the sense of smell conjures up memories so well that they feel as if they were experiencing the event again.”

One user commented: “More chemicals to add to the microplastics in our bodies.”

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Blake, Wm. Saint Peter and Saint James with Dante and Beatrice. 1824.

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Wisk, backed by Boeing, aims for its autonomous air taxis to be operational by decade’s end, offering rides at UberX prices.

Its Generation 6 eVTOL promises electric four-passenger travel with a 90-mile range, 15-minute charge time, and speeds up to 120 knots. It will operate between 2,500 and 4000 feet.

Regulatory approval is pending, with the FAA and other bodies reviewing pilotless commercial aircraft operation. Ground-based staff will monitor flights.

Wisk is partnering with Sugar Land, Texas, to assess vertiport locations, addressing urban transport challenges and aiming for multimodal connectivity.

Catherine MacGowan, APAC VP, Wisk: “There’s a very comprehensive process for us to go through to be approved, to be certified, and approved to conduct autonomous operations, so we won't be carrying passengers and we won't be undertaking operations until the [US Federal Aviation Authority] FAA and other regulators as appropriate have been fully set aside.”

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Blake, Wm. Canto I. Verse 29 Object 1. 1803.

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Weight-loss medications like Ozempic have impacted food consumption patterns, with a Bloomberg survey noting a shift towards healthier eating habits among users.

Despite concerns from food brands about declining sales due to reduced appetite, Sweetgreen Inc. experienced an increase in visits from individuals on these medications, suggesting a preference for “veggie-forward” options.

Fast-food chains face challenges adapting to these changing consumer preferences, with the survey revealing burgers as one of the food categories hit the hardest.

Survey respondents also visited Outback Steakhouse, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and the Cheesecake Factory less frequently after taking weight-loss drugs, according to the report. On average, those surveyed reported a 19% monthly decline in restaurant spending after beginning a GLP-1 drug and the frequency at which they visited the chains dropped by roughly 50%.

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Blake, Wm. Melancholy, object 7. 1816.

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Old shows dominated 2023's streaming, with 2011’s “Suits” leading at over 57 billion minutes. Nostalgia and extensive libraries offered by series such as “Gilmore Girls” and “Friends” drew viewers back to familiar favorites.

Hollywood strikes halting new productions likely nudged audiences towards these classics while waiting.

The sheer volume of available episodes from long-running shows like “NCIS” and “Grey’s Anatomy” meant more content to binge, improving their streaming minutes.

For younger audiences, repeat viewings of shows like “Cocomelon” significantly contributed to its streaming numbers, with 36.3 billion minutes watched last year.

Psychologist: “Watching something comforting can take away the stress involved in the infinite choices at our disposal and the consequential energy drain.”