California has had its share (or more) of restaurant closings in recent months (and other closings as well). In addition to the usual things all restaurants face, the bar is pretty high for many restaurants because of California's $20 minimum wage for fast food workers, which went into effect April 1, 2024. If you're curious, AB 1228 is in effect if a restaurant: While major chains can absorb a higher minimum wage [...]
Alabama loses 165 jobs as factory layoffs rock fragile economy
Alabama has had a rough go of it in 2025, no doubt about it. And unfortunately the job losses keep piling up as manufacturing jobs flee the state. One recent victim? Phenix City, which recently lost 165 jobs when AlaTrade did a big wave of layoffs at the local poultry plant. What’s even more perplexing is that the layoffs came in the wake of AlaTrade investing millions of dollars to launch a new production project [...]
California abruptly loses 2 Coca-Cola plants as business exodus accelerates
More rough news out of California (as if the state needed any more)… After losing a string of factories earlier this year… And with alcohol companies exiting California left and right… The state certainly could use some good news. Instead, things keep worsening - in fact, Coca-Cola recently closed two plants in California. More specifically, American Canyon just lots its Coca-Cola facility, which had operated [...]
Cracker Barrel abruptly closes 14 stores as downturn accelerates
Cracker Barrel has had a tough year, no doubt. Between the failed rebrand… And ongoing store closures as the restaurant keeps shrinking its store network… Cracker Barrel fans and staff sure could use some good news. Instead, more closures: More specifically, Cracker Barrel just closed 14 locations operating under its Maple Street Biscuit Company brand. Cracker Barrel bought Maple Street Biscuit Company in [...]
5 Restaurant Chains the DC Shutdown Could Cripple
As of midnight on Wednesday October 1, the federal government shut down. The specifics of what exactly that means and how long it will go on is something we'll leave to our elected officials. Instead, we'll focus on the restaurants that will be particularly affected the longer the shutdown continues. Because so much of the federal government is centered in and around Washington, DC, displaced or suddenly frugal [...]
7 iconic brands abandoning American factories as recession fears loom
It’s been a tough year for American manufacturing, as the trade war and looming recession fears combine to wipe out factories nationwide. In fact, some are even calling it “the end of Made in America.” Unfortunately, the pain is poised to continue as even major brands are pulling back, cutting jobs, and idling production. These iconic brands include: These impacts are, unfortunately, quite far reaching, with [...]
