Buc-ee's is known for its massive Walmart-sized travel centers, including 100 or more pumps. Traditionally, you only get to them on road trips, if you live in Texas, or if you happen to live near one outside of Texas. But now there's a Buc-ee's that's not a travel center. Kind of. Texas A&M has the honor of being the only physical place you can go to get Buc-ee's snacks and merch without going to a Buc-ee's [...]
Pepsi suddenly shuts down US factory with 287 confirmed layoffs
Pepsi’s having a tough 2025, no doubt about it. With factories closing seemingly all over the country… Not to mention slumping demand for soda and junk food (PepsiCo owns Frito-Lay)… And don’t forget the incoming bans on using SNAP funds for junk food… Well, let’s just say that the future isn’t looking too bright either. Pepsi is responding rationally - by trimming expenses wherever it can. Which brings us [...]
New California factory abruptly closes as business downturn intensifies
As if California needed more bad news… What with the ICE raids… And a string of factory closures… And of course all the negative impacts from the trade war. Many of the factory closures nationwide have been old factories (40+ years old) - facilities that were inefficient and outdated. Which is why this latest loss in Vernon, California is so confusing - the factory was less than a decade old! The factory [...]
3 bourbon distilleries go bankrupt as alcohol market abruptly collapses
More rotten news for anyone who enjoys good, American bourbon… Right on the heels of the sudden closure of several beloved whiskey distilleries… Unfortunately now it’s bourbon’s turn as bankruptcies sweep an already weakened American bourbon industry. Some of the biggest ones: Plus there was the heartbreaking closure of Black Button Distilling in Rochester, NY earlier this Summer. The bourbon market has been [...]
2 Michelin starred restaurants abruptly close as crisis spirals
The food service industry has had a rough 2025, no doubt about it. And while the headlines have focused on major chains going bankrupt… Another crisis has been quietly unfolding - as tons of non-chain restaurants are closing, too. The combination of spiraling food and labor costs plus pullbacks in consumer spending are putting restaurants everywhere on the back foot. Even restaurants that have earned a venerable [...]
Utah loses major brewery as alcohol recession accelerates
Utah may not have a reputation for being a big alcohol paradise, but it actually has a good, strong craft beer scene - especially in Salt Lake City. Or - it did until Monster Brewing announced plans to close its brewery in Salt Lake City earlier this year. The loss of the brewery and taproom didn’t just cost 25 jobs - it also eliminated longstanding community ties to the Squatters and Wasatch brands, which were huge [...]
