News — Eat This Not That

Walmart Announces Major Growth Plans With 150 New Stores Coming By 2029

Brianna Ruback — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:28:31 +0000

Standing as the world's largest retailer, Walmart currently operates more than 4,600 locations across the United States. Now, the Arkansas-based company is looking to expand its U.S. footprint even further.

Yesterday, Walmart announced plans to build or convert more than 150 stores over the next five years. This is a shift in the company's growth strategy, as Walmart said back in 2016 that it would slow down store openings to focus on its online sales, aiming to better compete with Amazon, according to the Associated Press. The retailer hasn't opened a new store since 2021.

Over the next 12 months, Walmart plans to remodel 650 stores across 47 states and Puerto Rico, which the company said "will create tens of thousands of jobs." The first new additions will be Neighborhood Markets slated to open this spring. These stores will be located in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., and Atlanta, Ga.

Walmart also noted that it's finalizing construction plans on 12 new projects, which it aims to start this year. The retailer will convert one smaller location into a Walmart Supercenter, as well.

The new and remodeled Walmart stores will showcase the company's "Store of the Future" concept. This modern store design includes improved layouts, expanded product selections, and innovative technology, according to Walmart's announcement.

The new stores will also "be designed with sustainability in mind," and have features like energy-efficient equipment and lower-impact refrigerants. A coast-to-coast network of affordable electric vehicle fast-charging stations is also in the works.

Back in November, Walmart opened 117 remodeled stores nationwide, which represented the "largest single-day rollout of re-grand openings in the history of Walmart," according to an announcement from the company. Walmart invested more than half a billion dollars in these remodels, which feature upgrades like refreshed interiors and exteriors, new signs, more shopping carts, and a new checkout design.

Additionally, Walmart-owned Sam's Club is looking to expand its store footprint. In January 2023, the warehouse club chain announced plans to open over 30 new locations across the U.S. over the next several years. The retail chain currently operates nearly 600 stores nationwide.

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Popeyes Is Giving Out Free Wings During Super Bowl Weekend—Here's How to Claim Yours

Zoe Strozewski — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:04:03 +0000

To say that Americans eat a lot of chicken wings during the Super Bowl each year would be a major understatement. The National Chicken Council, a non-profit trade association, predicted that Americans would consume a record-breaking 1.45 billion wings during the big game weekend in 2023. That's enough to give four wings to every man woman, and child in the country.

So, there's a pretty fair chance that chicken wings will be on the menu at many of this year's upcoming Super Bowl festivities. And if you play your cards right, you can score some for free.

Popeyes just announced that it will give out 12 free wings to customers during the Super Bowl LVIII weekend. The freebie will be available to any customer who spends $15 or more at Popeyes through DoorDash from Feb. 9 through Feb. 11. DashPass members can also upgrade that offer to a free 12-piece combo when they spend $15 or more.

If you're craving wings ASAP and can't wait until the Super Bowl, fear not! Popeyes will also give away free 12-piece wings during the NFL Pro Bowl Games this Sunday, Feb. 4. The offer is available to DoorDash customers who spend $15 or more at Popeyes and apply the code "WINGIT" at checkout.

While Popeyes has offered chicken wings as a limited-time item several times in recent years, wings didn't become a permanent menu item at the chain until November 2023. It was a big moment for Popeyes when chicken wings officially joined the menu because the chain devoted quite a lot of time toward developing them.

"This is something my team has been working on for three years, and we took our time to get it right," Amy Alarcon, vice president of culinary innovation at Popeyes, said in a statement at the time.

There are currently five wing flavors available to customers: Ghost Pepper, Sweet 'N Spicy, Roasted Garlic Parmesan, Honey BBQ, and Signature Hot. All of the wings are marinated in Popeyes' spices before being hand-battered, breaded, and flavored accordingly.

Since wings became a permanent offering, Popeyes has been working to convince consumers to ditch rival wing chains and give its version of the popular poultry item a try. In November, for example, it strategically placed billboards advertising the wings near competitor restaurants, according to a press release.

The Super Bowl and Pro Bowl deals seem to be yet another attempt by Popeyes to introduce even more Americans to its chicken wings. However, Popeyes isn't the only restaurant chain trying to entice customers with free wings during the Super Bowl.

Applebee's just announced that customers can score 20 free boneless wings on Feb. 11 when they spend $40 or more on to-go or delivery orders. To take advantage of the offer, customers need to order through the Applebee's website or app and use the promo code "BIGGAME24" at checkout. Buffalo Wild Wings will also give away free wings to everyone in America if the Super Bowl goes into overtime.

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What the World's Longest-Living Family Eats Every Single Day

Alexa Mellardo — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:57:18 +0000

If you've heard about the Blue Zones before, you're well aware the concept behind these beautiful corners of the world is fascinating. The Blue Zones are doing more than a few things right, as these regions are home to the highest amount of centenarians. Loma Linda, California; Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece were dubbed Blue Zones by explorer and National Geographic Fellow, Dan Buettner. Recently, Buettner shared what the world's longest-living family eats every, and we're here to spill the tea with you.

The Blue Zones have nine lifestyle habits in common that are likely attributed to their longevity, and they're called the Power 9. These habits include getting in natural movement, establishing a sense of purpose, eating mostly plant-based foods, downshifting, practicing the 80% rule, enjoying some wine at 5, putting loved ones first, having a sense of belonging, and choosing the right group of friends. Diet is a crucial cornerstone in the Blue Zones, with most individuals prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, and olive oil.

Get ready to update your shopping list, because you'll want to add the #1 lunch of the world's longest-living family to your regular rotation. Keep reading to learn more, and when you're finished, be sure to check out the 7 Yoga Exercises a 69-Year-Old Instructor Does To Look Half Her Age.

This is exactly what the world's longest-living family eats every day.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dan Buettner (@danbuettner)

"The longest-lived family in the history of the world, that we know of, called the Melis family, they live up in the highlands of Sardinia," Buettner stated in an Instagram video. "Nine siblings, collective age: 861 years. Oldest one, older sibling, 109. Every day of their life, they had the exact same lunch … now this wasn't because 'my diet requires me to do it'—no, they loved it."

The longest-living family in the world savors this lunch every day:

Sourdough bread
Chunky three-bean minestrone soup (pinto, garbanzo, and white bean)
Two to three-ounce glass of red wine

According to the official Blue Zones website, beans are considered the "consummate superfood" within the Blue Zones diet, so it should come as no surprise that the world's longest-living family prioritizes them daily. Beans typically contain a whopping 21% protein and 77% complex carbohydrates. In addition, they're chock-full of fiber. They're incredibly affordable, provide a ton of nutrients, and can be worked into many different tasty meals.

Buettner notes that the recipe for three-bean minestrone is available in the Blue Zone Cooking Course.

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Trader Joe's Shoppers Are Raving About an 'Addictive' Seasonal Snack

Brianna Ruback — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 20:22:53 +0000

Trader Joe's is often praised for its extensive snack selection, boasting all kinds of sweet and salty delights. Among the plethora of options is one breakfast-inspired product that now has shoppers buzzing.

First launched in 2023 for a limited time, the Maple Pancake Flavored Puffs recently hit stores again, sparking major excitement from customers. The snack consists of corn and rice puffs featuring the "rich, sweet, and salty flavors of a syrup-covered flapjack stack," as described on the bag. Additionally, this snack is vegan and gluten-free. As reported by Instagram user @traderjoesnew, each bag costs $2.49.

Since this sweet and crunchy snack returned to shelves, shoppers have shared glowing reviews of the item.

"I can't believe how good these are. Never saw them before and I'm going to buy three bags on my next trip. 10/10!" one Reddit user wrote.

I ate all the puffs in a day and a half
byu/peach0pear intraderjoes

"These are addictive. I got one bag last year to try them out, LOVED them, and when I went back for another couple bags, they were gone. So stock up quick! I spent 12 months dreaming about them!" another one added.

Someone else went as far as calling these maple-flavored puffs "the greatest TJ's snack item ever."

Additionally, some Redditors compared this snack to the Beaver Nuggets sold at Buc-ee's, the Texas-based convenience store chain. It's unclear how long this product will be available, with one Reddit user noting that it's a "seasonal" item.

The Maple Pancake Flavored Puffs aren't the only Trader Joe's items sparking notable attention on social media. The new Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons have also been generating customer conversation. Priced at $4.99, each box includes 12 wontons filled with a combination of cream cheese, Parmesan, and diced jalapeños.

Since this is a frozen item, customers can heat up the wontons in the oven for 10-12 minutes or the air fryer for five to seven minutes, according to the product's instructions. Shoppers will also want to grab a dipping sauce because despite one being featured on the packaging, there isn't one included with the wontons.

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The Best & Worst Grocery Chains in America, According to New Data

Zoe Strozewski — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 18:26:29 +0000

With so many national and regional grocery chains populating the United States nowadays, Americans have a plethora of retailers to choose from when they need to restock their fridges and pantries. But are some of those chains superior to others? At least according to new data, the answer is yes.

Solitaired, an online gaming site, recently set out on a mission to pinpoint the best and worst grocery stores in America using Google reviews. As part of the study, it looked at star ratings for individual stores from prominent grocery chains in the United States. It then used that data to calculate an average rating for each chain. Some brands stood out far more than others, both for positive and negative reasons.

The study ultimately ranked Trader Joe's, which had an average rating of 4.638, as the best grocery chain in the country. This ranking is far from surprising considering the massive fanfare that tends to surround Trader Joe's.

However, several other brands weren't too far behind the beloved grocer. Costco and Wegmans tied for second place with average ratings of 4.6.

"These ratings indicate a high level of customer satisfaction and consistent performance across these major chains," Solitaired wrote in reference to Trader Joe's, Costco's, and Wegmans' scores.

Publix, Central Market, H-E-B, WinCo Foods, Lidl, Aldi, and The Fresh Market were also among the top 10 highest-rated grocers.

On the flip side, King Soopers had the lowest average rating (3.938) out of the major chains considered in the study. King Soopers is a Kroger subsidiary that operates more than 100 stores across Colorado and Wyoming.

The discount grocer Save A Lot had the second-lowest score of 4.019, while Kroger came in third with a rating of 4.023. Walmart, Giant Eagle, Acme, Safeway, Piggly Wiggly, Jewel-Osco, and Fred Meyer were also among the 10 lowest-rated grocers in the study.

Of course, this data doesn't mean consumers can't have positive shopping experiences at chains like King Soopers and Save A Lot. But it does indicate that those chains are generally rated lower than high-ranking rivals like Trader Joe's and Costco.

The new study from Solitaired is only the latest attempt to determine which American grocery chain tops all of the others. Earlier this month, data analytics firm dunnhumby ranked H-E-B as America's top grocery retailer in its seventh annual Retailer Preference Index (RPI). That was the third time that H-E-B, a regional grocer concentrated in Texas, has snagged the top ranking in the annual dunnhumby study.

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McDonald's New & Improved Burgers Are Finally Available Across the U.S.

Brianna Ruback — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:44:38 +0000

Last April, McDonald's announced it was making several changes to its burgers in an effort to serve up a hotter, juicier, tastier product. Now, customers across the United States can order the upgraded menu items, as the burgers are finally available nationwide, according to Nation's Restaurant News.

To enhance its burgers, the fast-food giant has implemented more than 50 changes. Some of these include offering softer buns, adding white onions to the beef patties while they're still on the grill, and cooking the patties in smaller batches for a better sear. McDonald's customers will also notice "meltier" cheese and more Big Mac Sauce.

The updated burgers first hit restaurants in international markets like Australia, Canada, and Belgium, sparking "rave reviews," at least according to a 2023 announcement from McDonald's. The burgers then rolled out to locations on the West Coast and later, restaurants in the Midwest.

To promote these new burgers, McDonald's has tapped its beloved Hamburglar mascot for a new campaign. This week, the fast-food chain announced that the Hamburglar is driving across the U.S. in a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, playfully named the "Burgercuda," to attempt "the ultimate burger-stealing heist." Those who spot the car can scan the vehicle's code to unlock an Arch Card—also known as a McDonald's gift card—and Hamburglar-inspired swag.

The Hamburglar's car features the mascot's signature black-and-white stripes across the interior and exterior, burger-themed details like a spare tire disguised as a giant cheeseburger, and Hamburglar's catchphrase, "robble robble," represented by "RBL RBL" on the hood scoop and license plate.

Customers can also enter for a chance to win free McDonald's burgers for a year by visiting the Hamburglar Watch Sweepstakes website. Participants must complete the entry form by Feb. 25, 2024, and can only enter this contest once.

According to Nation's Restaurant News, McDonald's kicked off its Hamburglar campaign last weekend for fans who opt into the chain's text messaging campaign. The McDonald's account texted these participants that the "Hamburglar was on the loose" and shared the mascot's license plate. The message then encouraged fans to share their city if they spot the mascot and offered them a chance to win a prize pack or free burgers for a year. There hasn't been a response yet, according to the news outlet.

McDonald's previously tweaked its Quarter Pounder with Cheese in 2018, making the switch to fresh beef that's cooked to order. The chain also got rid of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives in its burgers that same year.

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McDonald's Customers Are Outraged Over 'Insane' Egg McMuffin Prices

Zoe Strozewski — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:01:55 +0000

From Taco Bell to Chick-fil-A, it's no secret that many of America's major fast-food chains aren't nearly as cheap as they used to be. However, a recent viral post about a McDonald's Egg McMuffin revealed just how expensive some fast-food eateries have become—and customers are sounding off about the price increases on social media.

On Jan. 27, the New York-based Bespoke Investment Group posted a photo on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) of a receipt from a recent McDonald's run. The receipt showed that a McDonald's location in Fairfield, Conn., was charging a whopping $14.58 for two Egg McMuffins, which breaks down to $7.29 per sandwich.

"$7.29 for one McDonald's Egg McMuffin. What has the world come to??" the photo was captioned.

$7.29 for one McDonald's Egg McMuffin. What has the world come to??

These were 2 for $2 pretty recently. pic.twitter.com/YgRfVgaUBG

— Bespoke (@bespokeinvest) January 27, 2024

The receipt also showed that a Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle was selling for $7.19 at the Fairfield McDonald's. The grand total for the two Egg McMuffins and the one Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle came out to $23.37.

The Bespoke account was far from alone in its shock over the cost of the breakfast items. The post has received more than 800 comments from other X users, many of whom slammed McDonald's for its prices.

"That is insane," one user commented.

"Stop going to McDonald's until they lower prices!" wrote another.

It's important to note that the Fairfield McDonald's is located inside a rest stop, where the chain's prices are generally higher. Prices for the same items may also vary drastically between different McDonald's stores. A location near me in central New Jersey, for example, is currently charging $3.39 for an Egg McMuffin.

Still, for many consumers, Bespoke's viral post only underscored how expensive McDonald's has become across the board lately.

"I don't eat [at McDonald's] because the price is outrageous," an X user commented.

Luckily, many X users offered tips in the comments section to help McDonald's customers avoid handing over too many of their hard-earned dollars. Several suggested taking advantage of the deals and promotions offered through the McDonald's app. For example, when I checked the the McDonald's app on Jan. 31, I spotted a BOGO deal that would get me two breakfast sandwiches for the price of one.

Some X users also pointed out that it may even be more cost-effective to make a copycat Egg McMuffin at home, though that also depends on the grocery prices in your area.

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Burger King Is Adding a Fancy New Whopper & Fish Sandwich To the Menu

Zoe Strozewski — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:06:39 +0000

Candied bacon and garlic aioli may seem like the types of toppings you'd only be able to find at higher-end burger joints. However, starting this week, you can enjoy both on a fancy new burger from one of America's biggest fast-food chains.

Burger King just launched a brand-new Candied Bacon Whopper at restaurants nationwide on Jan. 29, and announced plans to debut a new Fiery Big Fish sandwich on Feb. 14. Both of the new menu items will only be available while supplies last, so don't wait too long to sample them if they pique your interest.

In addition to the candied bacon and garlic aioli, the new Whopper features a half-pound of flame-grilled beef, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon jam, and crispy onions on a sesame seed bun. The launch of the new burger shows that Burger King continues to make progress with its Reclaim the Flame campaign, a sweeping $400 million initiative to improve the chain's brand and restaurants. A key part of the initiative, which was announced in 2022, is introducing interesting new Whopper flavor extensions.

Burger King has added several other variations on the classic Whopper to the menu in the past year. For example, the chain brought back its fan-favorite Ghost Pepper Whopper for a limited time in October 2023. It also tested another Whopper loaded with bacon jam and brisket in Las Vegas and Minneapolis back in April 2023.

Meanwhile, the Fiery Big Fish features a fried fish fillet, lettuce, pickles, tartar sauce, and a spicy glaze on a brioche-style bun. The sandwich will hit menus on the same day that Lent kicks off, giving those who choose to abstain from meat during the annual 40-day religious observance an extra meal option.

Even if you're not a fan of spicy food but still want a meat-free sandwich, Burger King has you covered. The chain's classic Big Fish sandwich—which is identical to the Fiery Big Fish aside from the spicy glaze—is available to order year-round.

Burger King did not provide pricing information for either of the new sandwiches.

Burger King fans should stay tuned for another major announcement in the coming days. The chain's website and app are currently teasing that "big Whopper news" will be unveiled on Feb. 5. Unsurprisingly, Burger King is being intentionally vague about what the news entails, but it does say that customers will soon "be able to put your spin on the iconic flame-grilled Whopper."

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Arby's Just Brought Back its Fan-Favorite Mix 'N Match Deal

Brianna Ruback — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:47:22 +0000

If there's one thing Arby's is known for, it's having "the meats." But now, the chain famous for its roast beef is spotlighting a different protein on its menu: seafood. As part of an updated deal, Arby's customers can order from a lineup of three different sandwiches, two of which feature the chain's fish fillet.

Available at participating restaurants nationwide, the 2 for $6 Mix 'N Match deal includes a choice of two sandwiches from the following options: Crispy Fish, Fish 'N Cheddar, and Classic Roast Beef. This deal, along with the two fish sandwiches, will only be offered at Arby's for a limited time.

The Crispy Fish Sandwich features a crispy fish fillet, shredded lettuce, and tartar sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun. The Fish 'N Cheddar sandwich is made with the same combination of ingredients, along with the addition of cheddar cheese sauce.

Rounding out the sandwich trio is Arby's signature, permanent menu item: Classic Roast Beef. This popular sandwich option includes thinly sliced roast beef piled on top of a toasted sesame bun.

Arby's usually charges a little more for its Mix 'N Deal—it's typically $7, according to Brand Eating. Additionally, Arby's notes on its website that the chain refreshes its 2 for $7 Everyday Value offerings on a regular basis.

The 2 for $6 Mix 'N Match deal isn't the only promotion at Arby's right now. Rewards members can also get 50% off their next order until Feb. 11. Customers can only apply this discount once, and they cannot combine it with another coupon or offer.

Arby's brought back its Crispy Fish and Fish 'N Cheddar sandwiches at the end of December. In addition to the sandwiches being available individually and as part of the Mix 'N Match deal, customers can also order these limited-time menu items as a meal with a choice of a side and a drink.

Aside from Arby's, Burger King also has its own fish sandwiches launching soon. The burger chain recently confirmed to USA Today that it will release a Fiery Big Fish sandwich—a spicy take on its classic Big Fish option. The new menu item will hit restaurants nationwide on Feb. 14.

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A Struggling Regional Burger Chain Could Disappear For Good This Year

Zoe Strozewski — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:28:00 +0000

From fast-food giants like McDonald's to smaller names like the Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon, many of America's popular chain eateries have major growth plans in the pipeline for 2024 and beyond. But as those chains work to grow bigger than ever, one regional burger brand could disappear entirely.

This regional brand is Bagger Dave's, a Michigan-based full-service chain that serves burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and other tavern-style fare. BT Brands, which currently owns nearly 40% of Bagger Dave's, announced in a Jan. 26 press release that it is now exploring "strategic alternatives" for the chain.

Bagger Dave's restaurants will continue operating normally for now, but BT Brands expects to begin converting the locations to another concept later this year, the release said. So if all goes according to plan, the conversions would mark the end of the road for Bagger Dave's.

Per Restaurant Business Magazine, Bagger Dave's was once an up-and-coming chain expanding quickly in the Midwest. The very first Bagger Dave's opened in Berkley, Mich., in 2008 and the brand grew to more than 25 locations across three states.

However, the chain ultimately began to struggle with declines in sales and customer traffic and ended up shuttering numerous locations, Restaurant Business Magazine reported. There are currently only six remaining Bagger Dave's restaurants in the United States, with four located in Michigan, one in Fort Wayne, Ind., and one in Centerville, Ohio, according to the press release.

"All six stores are in excellent locations representing an original investment of more than $5 million. The stores range from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, carry full liquor licenses, and are in excellent physical condition," BT Brands CEO Gary Copperud said in a statement. "We have had several restaurant professionals look at the locations over the last year, and all agree the units provide an outstanding footprint for a conversion opportunity."

"We look forward to identifying a dynamic growth opportunity, providing potential career growth for all current employees of Bagger Dave's," he continued. "We see the opportunity for Bagger Dave's shareholders, including BT Brands, to earn significant returns from a successful conversion."

Bagger Dave's isn't the only burger chain that has contended with hard times in recent years. Back Yard Burgers, a Nashville-based fast-casual burger brand, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2023 amid declining sales and store closures. This past November, Burger King also revealed that it had closed nearly 200 older and underperforming locations in one year to improve the health of its overall system.

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