AIXA Miner Surpasses 1 Million Users, Expands Global Cloud Mining Platform
AIXA Miner, a cloud mining platform founded in 2020, now serves more than 1 million users across over 200 countries and regions. The platform offers users a simplified cryptocurrency mining experience with no need for hardware, technical skills, or high up-front investment. New users receive a $20 trial bonus upon registration and can begin mining with packages starting at just $100.
As the complexity of Bitcoin mining continues to rise alongside global interest in cryptocurrency, AIXA Miner aims to make mining more accessible. According to the company, it has received compliance credentials from the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), consistent with its mission to offering a secure, transparent, and user-friendly alternative to traditional crypto mining.
What Is AIXA Miner?
AIXA Miner is a cloud mining service provider that enables users to rent high-performance mining equipment hosted in global data centers. The platform supports the mining of popular cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC), while eliminating the need for users to purchase expensive ASIC hardware or manage electricity and maintenance.
The platform combines cutting-edge mining technology, automated revenue payout systems, and a transparent operations model to deliver a one-stop, worry-free mining experience.
Core Features and Benefits
AIXA Miner is designed for both beginners seeking passive income and experienced investors looking for hassle-free diversification. Key features include:
Getting Started with AIXA Miner
Users can begin their cloud mining journey in just two steps:
A New Model for Mining in 2025
As a regulatory-compliant cloud mining leader, AIXA Miner is redefining the way individuals participate in crypto mining. With a focus on technology, compliance, and accessibility, the platform empowers users to earn passive income without barriers.
Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned investor, AIXA Miner offers a flexible, secure, and low-risk path to participate in the future of digital finance. Start mining today with a $20 bonus at aixaminer.com.
About AIXA Miner
AIXA Miner is a leading provider of cloud mining services. Utilizing the latest technology and renewable energy sources, we offer our clients the opportunity to engage in cryptocurrency mining without the need for personal hardware. Our services are designed with our European and American clientele in mind, ensuring compliance with the highest security standards, including FinCEN Certification. For more information on how we can help you achieve your crypto mining goals, visit our website at aixaminer.com.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risk. There is potential for loss of funds. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
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SOURCE: AIXA Miner
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Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Big Retail, Stablecoins, and Dividends. Oh My!
In this podcast, Motley Fool analysts Jason Moser and Matt Argersinger discuss: Why Walmart and Amazon are considering launching their own stablecoins. Roku and Amazon expanding their partnership. Two dividend stocks Matt thinks are worth getting on your radar: Whirlpool and Owens Corning. To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center. When you're ready to invest, check out this top 10 list of stocks to buy. A full transcript is below. Before you buy stock in Amazon, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Amazon wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $659,171!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $891,722!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 995% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 This podcast was recorded on June 16, 2025. Jason Moser: Big retail's taking a closer look at stablecoins. You're listening to Motley Fool Money. Welcome to Motley Fool Money. I'm Jason Moser. Joining me today, it's senior analyst Mr. Matt Argersinger. Matt, thanks for being here. Matthew Argersinger: You bet, Jason. Always glad to be with you. Jason Moser: On today's show, we're talking Amazon and Walmart's potential stablecoin aspirations. Roku and Amazon are teaming up in the ad market. We'll also take a look at a couple of Matt's favorite dividend stocks. But before we dive in, let's take a look at a few of the headlines driving the market today. After a tough Friday, markets are up today as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues. Now, according to Middle Eastern and European officials, Iran is signaling that it seeks an end to hostilities and wants to resume talks over its nuclear programs. Oil prices recently spiked because of the conflict, with WTI crude price up 11% over the last week. However, prices are down today on the news that Iran does seek to end hostilities. Let's hope that's the case. Finally, it's Fed Week. The Federal Reserve Interest rate decision is out on Wednesday at 2:00PM, with Chairman Powell's press conference to follow at 2:30. Matthew Argersinger: A lot going on, J Mo, but I have to say, does it surprise you as much as it does me how resilient the market has been this year? Here we are again on Monday. After that terrible news last week on Friday, we're again within 2-3 percentage points of an all time high. It makes you wonder what would need to happen to actually shake this market. Jason Moser: I'm not complaining, Matty, but yes, it is a bit surprising. Well, when we come back, big retail takes a closer look at stablecoins. Matt, we both read over the weekend about how Amazon and Walmart are looking at ways to possibly issue their own stablecoins, which, in turn, could, and I want to stress could, have an impact on payments companies like Visa and Mastercard, essentially by taking volume away from their massive networks. Now, I want to dig into this by asking, first and foremost, how exactly would this work? As a consumer, I'm hoping this isn't the case, are they going to force me to use stablecoins to make my purchases? Matthew Argersinger: No, not at all. I think if you're a consumer, who wants to do more transactions within the world of crypto, outside the banking establishment, this gives you another option. I think this is especially appealing to someone who might live outside the US or is doing cross-border transactions, who might live in a country with a more volatile currency, it becomes a nice benefit. It's a peg to the relative stability of the dollar without actually having to be in dollars. But if you're someone like me who has no problem with the banking establishment and generally likes to use credit cards for 99% of transactions, this won't affect you. Now, I think for Amazon and Walmart, it's a smart move. These are two of the biggest retailers on the planet, obviously. Not only does this potentially attract millions of new users who only want a transaction in crypto, it could potentially also save billions in processing fees that these retailers would otherwise pay to Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and banks to facilitate transactions. I don't think anyone should be surprised that Amazon and Walmart are getting into this. Jason Moser: I'm glad you made that cross-border point because that to me, seems one of the most obvious use cases. These are global businesses, obviously. That's something that could certainly benefit. Now, this also hinges very much on the regulatory environment, which seems clear as mud right now. It does seem like we really need to see more in the way of consumer protections, some type of regulatory framework if stablecoins are going to become a meaningful medium of exchange. To be clear, I think that's happening. It's something that's going to take some time, but when you look at it today, tens of millions of people globally, use stablecoins as a medium of exchange today. My suspicion is that probably grows over time. It's worth noting too, Visa and Mastercard are already partnering with crypto platforms to offer cards that allow you to spend against your stablecoin balance. It's not like Visa and Mastercard are ignoring the stablecoin opportunity. They're absolutely participating in it. I think investors should be encouraged by that, but if you look at Visa and Mastercard over the last five years, the stocks have basically more or less they've matched the market. Stretch that over 10 years, they've outperformed vastly. The longer you own these stocks, it seems like the more sense it makes. But let's look out over the next five years, particularly in this evolving space. How do you think these companies fare given all of these changes? Matthew Argersinger: The next five years, it's tough to say. But do stablecoins mean that these companies are disrupted and are going to do terribly over the next five years? I think that's an easy call. I don't think so. They're so dominant. Each operates in more than 200 companies, billions of issued cards outstanding, millions of merchants around the world that use them. You mentioned tens of millions of people using stablecoins, which is growing fast, but that's a drop in the bucket, compared to Visa and Mastercard's network. Keep in mind, consumers get a lot of benefits from using cards, especially credit cards. First, they're generally free to use. They give me rewards like cashback or airline miles or other benefits. Other than a stable currency, I'm not exactly clear what consumers get from using stablecoins. I know Circle and Tether get to earn interest on the float, but do consumers get anything out of it? I don't think so. Look, at the same time, though, I'm the last person who says big, dominant companies can't be disrupted, but over the next five years, I don't see it happening with Visa and Mastercard. In fact, as you mentioned with both companies, they can actually become big players in the crypto space themselves. I'd rest fairly easy if I'm a shareholder, and guess what? I'm, Jason. Jason Moser: Yeah, I think you're right. It boils down to incentives. You got to give me a reason to want to change over. Like you, I'm perfectly happy with my current banking relationship and how it enables us to spend our money and track our spending. It'll be fascinating to see exactly what these companies do. Next up, Amazon and Roku get a little closer, and we've got some dividend stocks you may want to keep your eye on. Matty, Roku and Amazon are teaming up, or rather, they're extending or expanding their relationship. This partnership will allow advertisers to reach roughly 80 million connected TV households through Amazon's demand-side platform. This seems like a space where we're seeing more partnerships in order to take advantage of this massive opportunity, the ad-supported video-on-demand space, that AVOD space. To be clear, like I said, Roku has already been working with Amazon's DSP to a certain degree, that demand-side platform. But this expanded partnership goes deeper, where programmatic in-stream video inventory is concerned. What do you make of this news today? Matthew Argersinger: Well, at first read, this definitely feels like a win for both companies. Obviously, given Amazon's size and other revenue sources, it's going to move the needle much more for Roku. But you've got this massive network of advertising touchpoints with Amazon's DSP. Now, you fully integrate that with Roku, which I think accounts for something like half or almost half of all TV streaming. That's impressive. If you're an advertiser, you now have a much greater scale, but also you can now be much more targeted because you're not having to potentially advertise to two audiences that already have significant overlap. I think it's a nice win for both companies, for sure. Jason Moser: You remember, it wasn't all that long ago, we weren't even talking about Amazon as an advertising business. It was just a little rounding error on the income statement. Maybe they made several million dollars, and now all of a sudden, they're operating on basically an $80 billion annual run rate with their advertising business. It's just phenomenal to see. Clearly, they've built out, I think, ways to win on both sides. Whether it's that demand-side platform or just through the content that they're slinging us through their many channels. This seems to make a lot of sense. Now, I think a logical question or at least the question that came to me, initially, is how this may or may not affect the Trade Desk. Obviously, a lot of our listeners are very familiar with the Trade Desk, a very popular recommendation in the Foolish universe. I think it's worth noting, Trade Desk shares are up today, so I don't think this was something that the market received negatively. In fact, Trade Desk and Roku announced their own partnership toward the end of last year. We're seeing a lot more collaboration in this space. It prompted the question to me like, is this a rising tide ultimately that lifts all boats situation? I feel like that's the most likely answer. When you look at the opportunity here in the advertising video demand space, the revenue in AVOD worldwide is expected to reach better than $54 billion this year. It's projected to hit $71.3 billion by 2029. It's growing, and I think part of that has to do with the value proposition, particularly in emerging economies or economies that maybe are not quite as well off as ours. It's just consumers get tremendous value, and I think we're seeing more and more consumers even here domestically getting that value. Netflix bringing advertising into their model as well. It seems like an exciting space. Now, that said, Roku's shares have had a tough go over the last five years, Matty. It's a big opportunity, like I noted, but it's a very competitive space. Is this a sign that Roku is getting things back on track? Do you see this from these levels today as potentially a market beater over the next five years, let's say? Matthew Argersinger: Here's my problem with Roku, Jason, and it's very superficial. I'm not sure who has actually made money investing in Roku. I don't want that to sound flippant, even though it is. But unless you brought Roku within its first few months of going public, in 2017, you've not only drastically underperformed the S&P 500, but you've lost money. The stock did soar in 2020 and 2021, but if you aren't lucky enough or savvy enough to sell during that time, you're down big from those highs. I'm not commenting on the business, and I think this expanded partnership with Amazon is definitely a good step. But is the company a good bet in the long run? Based on its track record as a public company, and that actually means something to me, it doesn't appear to be a good bet to me, Jason. Jason Moser: I'm an Amazon shareholder, I'm a Trade Desk shareholder. I don't own Roku, never have, and I don't think I ever will. Part of my hang-up with the business, following it since it went public, it's had to pivot a lot. Going from hardware to software and now trying to pooce their own content, going into advertising, all these different things. It's just tricky to see exactly where their primary focus is., I think I'm happy being a shareholder in Amazon and the Trade Desk and I'll just keep moving forward. Matty, let's wrap it up. We'll talk some dividend stocks. We all like cash in the pocket, and you run two of our different dividend services here that focus on dividends in income. I wanted to start firstly with your take on the metrics. What are one or two key metrics you think investors should prioritize when looking at dividend stocks? Matthew Argersinger: There are many. I would say, if you're just starting to look at dividend stocks, I think looking at how a company has grown its dividend, the growth rate of the dividend over time, and has that growth exceeded inflation on an annual basis? I think that is a tell that the company's growing its earnings, it's becoming a more profitable, more valuable company, and it's showing up in their dividends. It's a good proxy for a company's growth. Then related to that, check out the payout ratio. We all get enticed by companies that have high yields, 6, 7% yields. Generally, those companies are paying out a high proportion of their earnings out as dividends, and that can be unsustainable, especially if the company's earnings slow down or if it's a cyclical business. With dividend-paying companies, I generally like to see a payout ratio below 70%, even below 60% to be safe. Those would be the two I would focus on initially. Jason Moser: Occasionally, you just see that payout ratio fluctuate. It could be due to one time expenses or whatever it may be. I guess it makes more sense. Look for it over time. Matthew Argersinger: Maybe look at a five-year trend, and that give you enough information, probably. Jason Moser: Well, we've been talking about it all show. I know you've got some favorites in the space, Matty. Do you care to share if you have a couple of dividend stocks that you feel are worth getting on listeners' radar today? Matthew Argersinger: Absolutely. I've always got some favorites. I'd say there are two that stand out to me right now, and both are fortunately or unfortunately tied to the housing market. Just keep that in mind. I think both these can be winning investments from here, but they would do a lot better, Jason, over the next several years if there was a pickup in US home transactions. With that aside, the first stock is Owens Corning. The ticker is OC. We just rerecommended this in our dividend investor service here at the Fool. It's a leader in roofing and insulation. If you've ever been to Home Depot, Jason, looking for insulation for your roof or some other part of your house, you've probably seen the big pink bags with the pink panther images on them. That's Owens Corning. Really well-managed business. The dividend yield is only 2% right now, but it's been growing at double digit rates. Management has also been buying back a lot of stock. In fact, management is targeting one billion in combined dividends and buybacks each of the next two years. It works out really nicely for shareholders if you're looking at shareholder-yielding companies. My second idea is Whirlpool. Ticker WHR. I think everyone should know Whirlpool. It's North America's leading kitchen, bathroom appliance maker. You got brands like Whirlpool, of course, but Maytag, KitchenAid, InSinkErator are all Whirlpool brands. It was my stock on the radar last Friday during our Friday show. Whirlpool stock has really suffered over the last several years. It's had rising competition from Asia. As I mentioned, the housing market here in the US has been stagnant, but Whirlpool got some really nice news last week. It looks like the 50% steel tariffs that are being applied to various importers are also going to be applied to appliances. That's going to give Whirlpool, which manufactures the vast majority of its products in the US, a major leg up. Stock is very cheap, trades for less than 10 times forward earnings and has a dividend yield of almost 8%. It's a little bit riskier than Owens Corning, but I like the value and I like the turnaround potential. Jason Moser: I got to ask you one last question. You know what's coming. Looking at these two, Owens Corning, Whirlpool, do you have a favorite? Is there one you like over the other, or do these really just represent a nice way to get a good risk exposure? One, you said, obviously, Whirlpool, a little bit riskier, Owens Corning, maybe a little bit lower on the risk scale. Is it a nice 1, 2 punch in that regard? Matthew Argersinger: It's definitely a nice 1, 2 punch. I own both. If I had to pick one for the short run, I might go with Whirlpool. If I had to own one for the next five plus years, I would probably go to Owens Corning. I just think its business is less cyclical. It's much more tied to refurbishment and replacement, as opposed to Whirlpool, which, of course, needs people to be buying new appliances. I might go with Owens Corning in the long run, even though I like both. Jason Moser: We'll leave it there. Matty, thanks again for being here. Matthew Argersinger: Thank you, J Mo. Jason Moser: As always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talk about, and the Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. All personal finance content follows Motley Fool editorial standards and are not approved by advertisers. Advertisements or sponsored content are provided for informational purposes only. To see our full advertising disclosure, please check out our show notes. I'm Jason Moser. Thanks for listening. We'll see you tomorrow. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Jason Moser has positions in Amazon, Home Depot, Mastercard, The Trade Desk, and Visa. Matthew Argersinger has positions in Amazon, Home Depot, Mastercard, Netflix, Owens Corning, Roku, The Trade Desk, Visa, and Whirlpool and has the following options: short September 2025 $90 puts on Whirlpool. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Home Depot, Mastercard, Netflix, Roku, The Trade Desk, Visa, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Owens Corning and Whirlpool. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Big Retail, Stablecoins, and Dividends. Oh My! was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
McDonald's Changes That Completely Fell Flat With Customers
McDonald's built a global empire on consistency, convenience, and crowd-pleasing classics. However, even the minds behind the golden arches aren't immune to missteps. Over the years, the fast-food giant has introduced ambitious new products, redesigned its restaurants, and even launched an entire spinoff chain, only to watch many of these changes backfire spectacularly. Some of the McDonald's misfires were driven by shifting consumer trends, cost-cutting efforts, or corporate experimentation. Regardless of the motivation behind them, several of these changes left customers confused, disappointed, or outright angry. From popular McDonald's items that were discontinued — like the McD.L.T. and Cinnamon Melts — to bold swings and misses like McPizza and a McDonald's hot dog, not every golden idea turned out to be a roaring success. In other cases, the company changed too much of what customers loved, such as altering its recipe for cooking fries and overhauling the look of its classic restaurants to become less bright and cheerful. While not always contentious, these changes were no doubt bound to stir up debate. Read more: 22 Fast Food Breakfast Menus Ranked From Worst To Best In late 2023, McDonald's launched a highly anticipated spinoff chain called CosMc's — a drink-focused concept named after a little-known McDonaldland alien mascot from the '80s. The new venture was meant to rival the likes of Starbucks and Dunkin' with a menu packed with cold-brew coffee, iced latte, and quirky food items like blueberry-lemon sundaes and the Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich. But by May 2025, McDonald's announced it would shut down its CosMc's test locations, effectively calling time on the experiment within a matter of months after it began. The concept was first launched with a location in Bolingbrook, Illinois, with McDonald's executives aiming to create a beverage-centered brand geared towards afternoon traffic. When starting out this enterprise, the company planned to expand CosMc's to about 10 locations by 2025, including multiple sites in Texas. Despite initial buzz, CosMc's quickly drew criticism from customers and analysts. The new chain's disjointed menu offerings, focus on drive-thru customers, and underwhelming marketing didn't sit well with many fast-food fans. One commenter on Reddit bluntly called CosMc's "another blunder by McDonald's executives. I thought the clown was only the mascot, but the entire management team seems to be entirely made up of clowns." When McDonald's introduced all-day breakfast in 2015, customers were thrilled. The move catered to diners who craved Egg McMuffins and hash browns long after traditional breakfast hours had passed. Sales figures immediately jumped in the following months, and it was considered as a wildly successful McDonald's menu expansion. However, by March 2020, all-day breakfast at McDonald's was shelved, reportedly as a temporary measure to simplify kitchen operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the change stuck. While individual franchisees can determine the hours when breakfast is sold at the McDonald's locations they operate, the chain generally stops serving McMuffins and hash browns at 11 a.m. or earlier. The decision left many fans disappointed. Some McDonald's employees have taken to social media to explain that while all-day breakfast boosted sales, it also complicated workflows and slowed down service, particularly during busy lunch and dinner hours. Still, for customers who loved ordering hotcakes in the evening, the loss of flexibility has remained a sore spot. Few discontinued McDonald's items inspire as much longing as Cinnamon Melts. Introduced around 2007, these warm, gooey, miniature-sized cinnamon rolls were compared favorably to the confections of Cinnabon. They were a hit with customers seeking something sweet to pair with a morning coffee. Despite their popularity, McDonald's phased out Cinnamon Melts by 2017, supposedly due to steep production costs, low sales, and because the process of preparing them was relatively difficult. They also required unique packaging to contain the icing, which may have hindered efficiency in McDonald's kitchens. Diners were not happy. Commenters on multiple online forums have lamented the item's disappearance. Some speculate that despite being delicious, Cinnamon Melts were simply not profitable enough to remain on the menu. Years later, people are still begging for their return. But McDonald's management doesn't appear to be budging from the decision to discontinue Cinnamon Melts, even ignoring an online petition with over 18,000 signatures to demand the return of this sweet-and-spiced treat. In early 2013, McDonald's attempted to ride the wave of nugget-style innovation with Fish McBites — a bite-sized, breaded take on the pollock used in its classic Filet-O-Fish sandwich. Initially marketed as a limited-time offering for the period of Lent, the product aimed to attract customers seeking a non-meat option. It was also intended to appeal to younger diners as a Happy Meal option. But Fish McBites didn't stick around. The menu item was discontinued after just a few months. Despite a flashy rollout and considerable marketing investment, McDonald's fish nuggets failed to make a lasting impression. Customer feedback was lukewarm, with reviews stating that the nuggets lacked flavor and had an unappetizing texture. Years later, Fish McBites appear to be remembered more for the menu item's obscurity rather than its taste, with one person on Reddit alleging that "there is seemingly no evidence of them ever existing." Despite Fish McBites being a huge flop, the classic Filet-O-Fish sandwich is still loved and enjoyed by seafood lovers in multiple countries around the world. Originally introduced in California in 1996, the Big N' Tasty featured a quarter-pound beef patty with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles on a sesame seed bun. It was sold nationally by 2001, and for a while it was considered as a staple of the McDonald's Dollar Menu. Despite garnering many fans, it's widely reported that the Big N' Tasty was quietly discontinued in most U.S. locations by 2011, although it's still sometimes available with some variations at a number of international restaurant sites. McDonald's management has explained that this burger's size presented a logistical challenge, stating that keeping it as a regular menu item would hinder the chain's ability to cook other special-offer burgers introduced for a limited time. Nostalgia for the menu item remains strong, with many people taking to online forums and wondering whatever happened to McDonald's Big N' Tasty burger. Diners still share fond memories of the Big N' Tasty, especially from during the time when it cost $1. In the mid-2000s, McDonald's began overhauling its iconic red-and-yellow buildings, phasing out the interiors dominated by colorful plastic and replacing them with darker hues, wood fixtures, and sleek furnishings. This rebranding aimed to present a more sophisticated image, hoping to attract adult diners seeking a less garish dining setting. While the effort aligned with broader trends in fast-casual dining, many customers felt the redesign stripped away the brand's charm. Instead enjoying a bright, family-friendly atmosphere, the new decor at McDonald's has left visitors complaining on Reddit that the restaurants look "sterile" and "eerily similar" to each other. One commenter shared the following question: "When did McD go from a happy, fun-loving child to a depressed, midlife-crisis adult?" Other online commenters theorize that McDonald's needed to diminish its focus on attracting children to eat fast food, and that the less-distinctive design will make it easier to repurpose McDonald's locations that shut down. While the rebranding may have met some of McDonald's strategic goals, it also seems to have created a disconnect for loyal customers who miss the playful aesthetics and family-centric vibe of its previous aesthetic style. In 2002, McDonald's released the McAfrika in Norway — a pita-style sandwich filled with beef, cheese, and vegetables — that was meant to evoke African flavors. But the timing couldn't have been worse. The launch occurred during a severe famine in Africa that affected some 12 million people. Humanitarian groups quickly condemned the campaign as tone-deaf and insensitive. Following the backlash, a McDonald's spokesperson acknowledged the appearance of insensitivity, but the chain did not immediately remove the McAfrika from its Norway menus. While McDonald's officials welcomed famine-aid organizations to place donation boxes and fundraising appeals in its Norwegian restaurants, this wasn't enough to stop the criticism. To this day, the ill-timed McAfrika launch is considered among the biggest mistakes ever committed by the fast food chain. Unbelievably, the controversy resurfaced in 2008 when McDonald's Australia attempted to a launch the similarly named McAfrica burger as part of a limited-time promotion connected with that year's Olympic Games. This incident did not inspire the same level of protests as seen in Norway six years earlier, but it again drew attention to the questionable decisions of McDonald's marketing practices. In 2000, McDonald's introduced McSalad Shakers, a portable serving of chopped greens served in a clear plastic cup. Customers were encouraged to pour in dressings like ranch, Thousand Island, or herb vinaigrette, then shake the container, and enjoy a healthier fast food option on the go. This innovation was meant as an offering for health-conscious consumers. Despite being offered in three versions — Garden, Chef, and Grilled Chicken Caesar — and sold for relatively low prices, McSalad Shakers were discontinued in 2003. While it's difficult to find any detailed explanation about what happened to McDonald's McSalad Shakers, McDonald's management has expressed in recent years that demand for salads at the fast food chain is generally low. Nonetheless, some fans remember McSalad Shakers fondly as a relatively healthy McDonald's menu option that was actually tasty and convenient. Although short-lived, these portable salads remain a cult favorite among a dedicated cadre of online commenters who clamor for their return. The McD.L.T. — short for "McDonald's lettuce and tomato" — was launched in the mid-1980s as a premium burger with packaging designed to keep the hot and cold ingredients separated. It came in a two-sided styrofoam container: one side for the hot beef patty and bottom bun, and the other side for the lettuce, tomato, cheese, and top bun. This design promised a fresher burger that diners could assemble just before eating. While some customers appreciated this burger's taste and novel container, environmentalists were less enthusiastic. As the public was becoming aware of the growing amount of non-biodegradable waste going to landfills, the McD.L.T.'s oversized polystyrene packaging drew heavy criticism. As pressure mounted from the controversy, McDonald's faced a public relations dilemma. By the early 1990s, the McD.L.T. was canceled. Over the following years, McDonald's joined other fast food chains in the eco-friendly trend to serve menu items in durable paper containers instead of polystyrene packaging. The rise and fall of this McDonald's burger became an emblem of the turning point in how fast food companies approach environmental responsibility; today an original McD.L.T. container is exhibited in the National Museum of American History. A few fans still praise this sandwich — "It really was probably the best burger McDonald's has ever had," wrote one commenter on Reddit — while acknowledging that it had to go for the sake of the planet. Although McDonald's has experimented with diverse food items, one handheld meal that never gained traction was the McHotDog. Originally sold at select locations in the U.S. in 1995, it was introduced despite strong objections from the chain's founder, who died more than a decade before the launch. Ray Kroc didn't think McDonald's should sell hot dogs, because he believed that the sausages' mystery-meat reputation is not compatible with the chain's quality standards. Kroc even made this clear in his autobiography, "Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's." Despite Kroc's overt misgivings about dishing out frankfurters beneath the golden arches, McDonald's corporate management gave the McHotDog a shot — and it quickly became one of the biggest flops in McDonald's history. But while the chain's U.S. customers clearly didn't want this product, McDonald's hot dogs continually made sporadic appearances over the years at international locations, reportedly surfacing in Germany and on the restaurant's breakfast menu in Japan. Nonetheless, McDonald's never successfully established hot dogs as a permanent menu item. For most customers, the McHotDog remains a forgotten oddity, probably proving that Kroc was right all along. McDonald's has dabbled in varied seafood offerings, and one of its most curious was the McLobster. First introduced in 1993 and reportedly limited to markets in New England and eastern Canada, the McLobster was a sandwich similar to a lobster roll, made with Atlantic lobster meat, lettuce, and a light sauce, all served in a long bun. The McLobster had its fans, and for quite a few years it occasionally appeared as a seasonal item on McDonald's menus in states like Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, as well as Canada's Atlantic-coast provinces. However, the sandwich never went national. This is likely due to the price of lobster varying considerably depending on the season and region, making it a difficult food to order regularly for a fast food chain known for uniformity. In 2017, McDonald's Canadian management specifically cited price concerns as the reason why the McLobster would not be offered at any restaurants that year, leaving aficionados of the sandwich high and dry. For years, McDonald's deep-fried apple pies were a customer favorite. With their golden-brown, crispy crust and sweet filling, they were a staple dessert of the chain from the 1960s through the early 1990s. But in 1992, McDonald's made a controversial change: At most U.S. locations, employees started baking apple pies instead of frying them. This new cooking technique was meant as part of an effort to provide healthier menu items, but sweet-toothed diners were not pleased. Fans of the original pies lamented the loss of the crispy texture and piping-hot filling of the deep-fried apple pies. Luckily for them, some McDonald's locations continue to sell the fried versions, such as a historic McDonald's in Downey, California, as well as the chain's restaurants in Hawaii. Although McDonald's has tweaked the recipe of its baked apple pies over the years — switching to a lattice crust and adjusting the filling ingredients — critics argue that the newer version never measured up to the deep-fried pies. In 1991, McDonald's debuted the McLean Deluxe, a low-fat hamburger aimed at health-conscious consumers. Billed as a 91% fat-free alternative to standard burgers, the McLean Deluxe featured a patty made with lean beef that was blended with carrageenan — a seaweed-derived thickener — to retain moisture and texture. Initially, the McLean Deluxe seemed poised for success. McDonald's spent a fortune (reportedly at least $50 million) developing and marketing the new item, positioning it as a health-boosting revolution in fast food. But almost immediately, the McLean Deluxe ran into trouble. Customers complained that the burger lacked flavor, and couldn't sufficiently satisfy their hunger. Other diners were less than enthusiastic about consuming seaweed in their fast food. People stopped buying the McDonald's McLean Deluxe, and by 1996, it was quietly removed from McDonald's menus. Though the chain attempted to lead a charge into the realm of healthy fast food, this failure showed that flavor can't be sacrificed beneath the golden arches — even in the name of nutrition. There was a time when McDonald's french fries were arguably the best in the fast food business — but many say that McDonald's fries don't taste as good as they used to before 1990. That year, the company made a major behind-the-scenes shift in its use of cooking oil, ditching beef tallow and switching to vegetable oil. Nutritionally, the change seemed like a good idea. Beef tallow is high in saturated fats, while vegetable oil primarily contains unsaturated fat, making it a seemingly heart-healthier option. However, many customers felt betrayed when they noticed the change in flavor. The new fries lost savory depth, and yearnings for the original version quickly took root. In fact, restaurants where you can still order beef tallow fries remain in demand today. McDonald's did try to recapture the previous taste by adding beef flavoring to the oil blend, but critics still argue that the former fries were better. Yes, McDonald's really tried selling pizza, but there's a good reason why many people aren't aware of that. The largely untold truth of McDonald's pizza began in the mid-1980s, as part of an ambitious attempt to diversify the chain's menu. By the early 1990s, McPizza had expanded to hundreds of test locations. However, it wasn't long before the idea started to unravel. The process of making a McPizza took significantly more time than preparing burgers or fries, which slowed down operations in the chain's famously fast-paced kitchens. Many franchisees found the required ovens inconvenient to install. Extensive marketing efforts didn't help. The taste of McPizza is fondly recalled by some folks, but it never stood out in a crowded market among huge names like Pizza Hut and Domino's. By the early 2000s, McDonald's had pulled McPizza from most locations. People now remember McPizza as either a quirky novelty or a misguided experiment. The failed launch provides proof that although McDonald's is a colossal brand, not every type of food belongs under the golden arches. Read the original article on Mashed.
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31 Spoiled, Entitled, Out-Of-Touch People Who Are Surely Too Clueless To Survive A Day Outside Of First-Class
If you've ever had to take the deepest breath in the world because you just heard something almost too privileged to be real, you're in the right place. Recently, people on Reddit shared the most out-of-touch thing they've witnessed a rich person say or do, and I had to lie down for a while after reading through it. Here are some of the top comments: 1."My friend's sister, who is attending medical school, said, 'Did you know some people's parents don't pay for their school?'" —mercfan3 2."'I wish my kids qualified for financial aid.' She thinks financial aid is a benefit everyone else gets that she's losing out on. Said by a woman brought up in an upper-middle-class family and married into another one. I don't know too many 25-year-olds with zero college debt, whose first house is a 4-bed single-family home and immediately put in an inground salt water pool, had two kids, then finished their basement with all the fixings." "No. No, you do not want your kids to actually qualify for financial aid. Give up your giant house, pool, and regularly occurring vacations first. Oh, and you don't HAVE to pay your kids' full college tuition for their D1 schools, but you can easily afford to without eliminating any other discretionary cost in your life This couple easily makes $350k, the husband is a partner." —drunkpickle726 3."'Why don't you just buy a house? This apartment is awfully small for the four of you.' I loved the person who said this very much; he was like family, but my ex and I couldn't believe our ears when he said that. We both wanted to answer in a tone absolutely dripping with sarcasm, 'Gee, we never thought of that! We'll have to go shopping tomorrow. Would you like to write the check for the down payment since it's such a great idea and we don't have any money?'" —Kind_Blackberry3911 "Man, one of the engineers at my office bought a house and then was nonstop pressuring me about when I was going to stop renting. Never mind that I'm an admin assistant, so I make a fraction of what he does. I was finally like, 'When you get our boss to give me a raise to match your salary, I guess?' That finally seemed to shut him up, but Jesus Christ, it was so tone deaf." —ScroochDown 4."Girl I knew in high school was whining about how her parents cancelled their annual ski trip to Switzerland, and they had to settle for Jackson Hole instead. Poor girl, times were tough." —HorrorSmile3088 5."'It's so easy to travel. Just save $100-300 every paycheck. I don't know why people can't do that.' This was right after college when I started paying back my loans while only making $18/hr. I told her, 'Lady, I'm lucky if I have $20 left over.' She looked shocked." —Appropriate_Sky_6571 "Similarly, when people say you should spend your 20s traveling, seeing the world, and getting cultured before settling down. You think I don't want to?? That's expensive, plus, how am I supposed to get that many days off work??" —VanillaMemeIceCream 6."My wife does work for high-profile clients. Often, you'll see a $20,000+ food order barely touched and, due to liability concerns, thrown away. I wish this was sarcasm." —ElonsMuskyFeet "I am a notorious post-event crasher because of this, complete with Tupperware. Walked into a work event after it was over, and the crew was shoveling the food down; one looked at me, nodded, and pointed to the buffet. 'Take the whole tray,' they literally begged, 'cuz otherwise it goes right in the trash." —DopeCharma 7."Someone told me they thought poor people just 'don't try hard enough' and that 'everyone has the same 24 hours.' It was wild how confidently they said it, like generational wealth, health, and safety weren't even factors." —fatherballoons "And just the damn randomness of life, I hate the 'don't try hard enough.' You could work 16 hours a day and give it all, and things just don't work out. Yet the guy who won a gamble will tell you how hard he worked and why everyone is able to achieve the same he did. Survivorship bias is a hell of a drug." —sinjuice 8."My ex once said before a date, 'I won't wear my Rolex so you don't feel poor.'" —leahlo 9."'I don't get why poor people don't just budget better.' Ah, yes, the CEO of life, right here." —Any_Lingonberry_3948 "I know folks who grew up poor, fell into a good-paying job (at least in relation to their upbringing), and adopted this mindset. I'm always like, 'How do you not remember where you came from?' Good budgeting when you are poor is hard as hell. I grew up fairly poor but do okay now, nothing to brag about, but I enjoy luxuries and a comfortable life that I'm quite thankful for — and I never, ever let myself forget where I came from. That's in no small part because all it takes is one catastrophic illness or other bad turn in life to end up back there again. But more importantly, it's because you've got to remind yourself that getting some lucky breaks doesn't make you better or harder working than someone else, it just means that you got lucky enough for your efforts to fall into place. I did work hard, yes, but there was also good fortune involved, too." —bamisdead 10."I once worked for a company where the CEO was used to flying private. The company then opened its first office overseas. For this purpose, he needed to fly commercial for the first time in about 20 years. After the trip his secretary took great pleasure in telling stories after his first trip on how clueless he was about commercial air travel: not knowing how to deal with the security screening, limitations on carry-on luggage, and being much more at the mercy of airlines in terms of scheduling." —thirdtimesdecharm 11."My therapist said I have generational wealth anxiety." —SeaConstant1433 "How can i get that anxiety?" —kosommokom 12."I did private duty home health for an extremely wealthy woman who had round-the-clock home care employees. I came to work one evening and was getting her ready for bed, and I noticed that she had several new yoga pants and casual tops hanging in her closet with the tags still on. I commented how cute they were, and she told me that her day shift worker had taken her shopping at Target, and asked me if I'd ever been there, followed by saying she 'never knew stores like that existed.' (Of course, she didn't know because everything she owned came from Neiman Marcus, Saks, Gucci, Prada, etc.)" "I laughed and said, 'Sweetie, if Target excited you that much, Walmart will blow your mind. You can get new tires on your car while you grocery shop, or get a new TV and even patio furniture.' She said, 'Are you kidding??! Well, then that's where we're going tomorrow!'" —Minimum-Career-9999 "That is actually very endearing. Kinda scary, but I love the attitude of enjoying the new opportunities. She might have been fun if that positive spin continued." —scattywampus 13."I worked my way through college doing housecleaning, babysitting, and retail jobs. Met a girl who laughed at me and said her father wanted her to know about the REAL working world, so every summer he got her hired by one of his client firms in the oil business. Bitch, please. The HARDEST part of the real world is getting a chance. And he hid that from you." —chockerl 14."'I don't know why people need remote work. I just had someone who drove my kids to school, so it didn't interfere with my work schedule.' You really think everyone can do this?" —Electronic-Shower726 15."'I don't understand people who go to Disney World and don't stay in a villa or one of the deluxe resorts! It's just not the same or not even close to worth it to be at the poor-people value resorts!' Said to my husband and I who were on our honeymoon while staying at a value resort. We are both teachers and saved up for YEARS to make that vacation happen." "We were just so grateful to be able to 1) take a honeymoon and 2) go somewhere that we both love but can't go to regularly because of how expensive it is. Opened my eyes to how so many people can't look past their own perspectives and gave me an understanding of where entitlement might come from." —Belle0516 16."A former friend of mine had a fight with her parents about some boy she met on Snapchat. The parents were 100% in the right. Guess what the punishment was. She wasn´t allowed to wear her designer clothes for a week. A week. She was so mad. It was so weird and a big reality check for me. I knew her parents were rich, but then I realised how different our lives were." —Icy-Rule-7248 17."'If you don't like this town, then move.' As if coming up with thousands of dollars to relocate and start over is just readily available. Yes, Priscilla, I would love to just move. How about you slip me about 10 grand so I can?" —meh_alienz 18."My roommate in my freshman year of college asked me, 'So when is the cleaning lady coming to collect our clothes to be washed?' now? She honestly thought that someone came around, picked up dirty laundry, washed and folded it, then returned it to us and thought that was part of our dorm fees." —readingreddit4fun 19."I'm planning a wedding and I've had MULTIPLE people tell me my wedding should be black tie because 'what grown adult doesn't own a tuxedo?'" —atlanduh 20."My ex grew up very wealthy and genuinely thought that when you're shopping for something, you should buy the most expensive item because it's the best. Also, he was so clueless that he thought that silver that tarnishes must be poor quality." —sqplanetarium 21."'I'm so happy to not go on vacation for a bit.' My coworker said this when she went abroad six times in one year. Different countries each time." —Maleficent_Count6205 22."I wasn't spoiled. I had to clean out my horse's stall myself." —DoTheRightThing1953 23."'I work hard, I should be able to travel wherever I want,' in a conversation about Indigenous people who were asking tourists not to come there because they saw it as harmful to their community." —StrawbraryLiberry 24."A girl I met travelling has fallen into an influencer pyramid scheme. I put up with it until she made a post saying the following: 'Unpopular opinion: if you're poor and you have a smartphone, then it's your fault.' Instant unfollow." —maryg1503 25."Refer to a speeding ticket as their 'go-fast license.'" —Trips-Over-Tail 26."'I don't care about politics.' Dude, people's lives and rights depend on this shit." —lifeincolour_ 27."I teach at an upper-middle-class middle school. I had a 7th grader extremely upset because his parents revoked the credit card privilege on his phone. He bought a bunch of designer clothes, and I guess racked up a bill. The kid was so mad, saying, 'It's not even their money! It's a credit card. Get over it, bro.' I tried to explain that you still have to pay the credit card company, it's not free money, but he wasn't hearing it." —SinfullySinless 28."One of my friends was complaining that she and her husband received no help from her parents when they went to buy their first house and that she had to use her trust fund instead." —stablerslut 29."Girl I was dating had a 'rough' month and needed $200 for a car repair. Casually said she'll just take out $5k from a savings account her parents gave her (with $125k in it) to treat herself for all the stress it caused her to bring the car to the workshop 2 miles away." —Groundbreaking-Tax-4 30."A wealthy girl once told me, 'We don't have as much money as everyone thinks. Last year, we barely had enough money to put in the pool house.'" —mattysatty_380 finally, "Having a military parade for your birthday." —wonderererere What's the most ridiculously privileged behavior you've witnessed from a rich person? Tell us what happened in the comments or via the anonymous form below:
