How Starbucks Is Engineering a Turnaround With Warm Vibes and Cold Foams
Brian Niccol is standing in the corner of a newly renovated Starbucks in Seattle on an afternoon in mid-April. Baristas are making iced cherry chai lattes and mocha Frappuccinos with whipped cream, and warming egg bites and croissants. Customers sit in plush mustard-colored chairs and on cushioned benches in an olive tone, surrounded by wood-paneled walls. 'I like it,' says Niccol, who took over as chief executive officer in September. 'I like the furniture. I like the lighting. I like the music.' Mostly he likes the vibe. People camping out, doing homework, chatting with friends. There's a guy preparing a tax return.
'Every seat is full,' Niccol says. 'That's what we want. What we should be able to do is have spaces for people that, if you want to socialize, you can socialize. If you want a moment for yourself, you have a moment for yourself.' He asks me what I think is the best seat in the house, and I tell him I'd tried a few as I alternated between grabbing a bite and working on my laptop. 'I want a great seat for whatever occasion you're having. If you want to eat, that's probably the best seat,' he says, pointing to the cushioned bench.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
GivBux Confirms Warrant Dividend Progress
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GivBux, Inc. (OTC: GBUX), a publicly traded Super App and charitable giving platform, today thanked shareholders who submitted statements of their holdings in response to the company's special warrant dividend. The company said it is currently reviewing and verifying shareholder submissions and expects to finalize the distribution calculations early next week. The GivBux board of directors approved the warrant dividend on May 21, 2025, and confirmed the action in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 9, 2025. About GivBux, Inc. The GivBux Super App revolutionizes shopping by offering a user-friendly tool to make purchases swiftly and easily at over 100 national retailers, along with an expanding roster of local merchants. Users earn cash back on every purchase, a portion of which can be directed towards a charity of their choice, embodying GivBux Inc.'s commitment to "give back." The GivBux Super App is free to use and available now at Google Play Store (Android) and the Apple App Store (IOS). The GivBux Super App is constantly evolving and adding new enhancements and functionalities, including social networking, e-commerce, banking, messaging, food delivery and transportation. GivBux is forging a new path in ecommerce and charitable giving and aspires to build the largest community of givers, first in the United States and eventually worldwide. For more details and regular updates, visit Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements.' Although the forward-looking statements in this release reflect the good faith judgment of management, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by GivBux, Inc. in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release. The Company intends that all statements included herein, including those referring to future revenues and earnings, be subject to the "Safe Harbors" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Contact: Umesh Singh, PresidentEmail: ir@ Instagram: X (formerly Twitter): 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
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Elon Musk's SpaceX Commits $2 Billion To xAI In $5 Billion Round As AI Startup Hits $113 Billion Valuation Amid Controversy
has agreed to invest $2 billion in Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI. The investment makes up nearly half of the company's recent $5 billion equity round, according to investors cited by The Wall Street Journal. After xAI merged with the social media platform X, the new entity was valued at $113 billion. The move combined xAI's research operation with X's platform reach, expanding the audience and real-world integration potential for the company's AI products, the Journal reports. Don't Miss: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — This AI-Powered Trading Platform Has 5,000+ Users, 27 Pending Patents, and a $43.97M Valuation — Musk Says 'We Have Improved Grok Significantly' as AI Tool Expands From Starlink Support to Tesla Robots The Grok chatbot developed by xAI is currently being used to support customer service operations for Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet division. According to the Journal, Musk has said he also intends to embed Grok into Tesla's (NASDAQ:TSLA) humanoid robot fleet, Optimus, as part of a broader plan to bring artificial intelligence into the company's physical products. Musk has described Grok as "the smartest AI in the world," though the chatbot has not yet matched the widespread popularity of OpenAI's ChatGPT, the Journal says. The model recently received high scores from benchmarking service Artificial Analysis. Several posts from Grok's official account on X were removed after user complaints and feedback from the Anti-Defamation League, according to Reuters. The posts included language suggesting a historical figure could address anti-white sentiment and made references to Jewish surnames in the context of activism, prompting concerns about antisemitic tropes. The organization urged xAI and other developers of large language models to take stronger precautions against generating content flagged as extremist or inappropriate. Trending: $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. "We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts," Grok said. The post also said that xAI had taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on the platform. The company attributed earlier controversial responses to an unauthorized change in Grok's software and has since initiated further refinements. Musk also posted, "We have improved Grok significantly," indicating ongoing technical adjustments. Strategic Investment Aligns With Musk's Track Record of Cross-Venture Support The investment marks the first known capital injection from SpaceX into xAI and is also one of the largest investments SpaceX has made into another company, according to the Journal. Musk has a long history of leveraging his various businesses to support one another, including using SpaceX equipment for The Boring Co. and borrowing funds from SpaceX during Tesla's early representatives have reportedly told investors that additional business partnerships between SpaceX and xAI are likely in the future, the Journal says. This signals a growing integration across Musk's portfolio, connecting AI development, space infrastructure, and consumer-facing technologies. At xAI, Musk is investing billions each year into training new AI models, mirroring the high-spending strategies seen at other well-funded AI startups. According to the Journal, these costs are being matched by rising valuations and increasing pressure to deliver competitive performance across multiple sectors. While xAI's ambitions remain large, including deeper integration with Tesla and other Musk-led ventures, the backlash underscores the challenges of scaling AI models that interact directly with the public. With the $2 billion investment, xAI's future developments may draw even more attention from stakeholders across the industry. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Elon Musk's SpaceX Commits $2 Billion To xAI In $5 Billion Round As AI Startup Hits $113 Billion Valuation Amid Controversy originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Family Biz 'Tidy Tails' Offers Pet Waste Removal in Atlanta
Mother and son duo launch Tidy Tails Waste Solutions, a metro Atlanta pet waste removal service, after a house fire in 2022 inspired them to give back time and peace of mind to pet owners. ATLANTA, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world that often moves too fast for the little things, one Atlanta-based family is slowing down and stepping up — one yard at a time. Tidy Tails Waste Solutions, a pet waste removal service, is officially open for business across the metro Atlanta area, offering dog poop pickup and pooper scooper services for busy pet parents, seniors, property managers, and pet-friendly businesses. What makes this launch special? It's a labor of love between a 72-year-old mother and her son who turned an unexpected life shift into an inspiring business venture. "We've always believed that dignity can be found in any kind of work," says Nasceas Timms, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer. "After a house fire in 2022 left our family displaced, and with my mother struggling to care for our aging boxer, we realized there was a real need for services that support both pets and the people who love them. At Tidy Tails Waste Solutions, we're not just scooping poop; we're giving back time and peace of mind to busy pet parents and businesses across metro Atlanta!" Tidy Tails Waste Solutions offers residential and commercial pet waste cleanup — specializing in weekly, bi-weekly, and one-time pooper scooping. They also offer yard sanitation, deodorization, and aeration. Their client base ranges from elderly pet owners to apartment complexes, HOAs and other dog friendly businesses. But what sets them apart isn't just the reliable service — it's the personal care behind every scoop. "I may be 72, but it's never too late to start something new," says co-founder Bessie Taylor. "This business gives me purpose, and it helps other seniors like me keep their yards clean without risk of injury or strain. Some people need a pet and I'm excited to own a company along with my son, that allows everyone to have a pet because now there's a way to properly clean up after them." Tidy Tails is pleased to offer services in the following Georgia counties: Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale. The company is fully bonded and insured, locally owned and operated, and committed to environmentally responsible pet waste disposal. Their friendly technicians and family-run approach are already making a significant positive impact on both the environment and the community they serve. For interviews, press inquiries, or high-res assets, contact: Tidy Tails Waste SolutionsAttn: PR Dept P: (404) 902-8439, Ext 3E: info@ About Tidy Tails Waste SolutionsTidy Tails Waste Solutions is a locally owned, family-operated pet waste removal company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by a mother-and-son duo, the company is committed to helping busy pet owners, seniors, and property managers maintain clean, healthy, and poop-free outdoor spaces. With services ranging from weekly dog poop pickup to one-time yard cleanups and commercial dog waste removal, Tidy Tails offers reliable, affordable, and hygienic solutions that make pet ownership easier. Backed by exceptional customer service and five-star reviews, Tidy Tails Waste Solutions is proud to be Atlanta's most trusted name in pet waste management. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Tidy Tails Waste Solutions
