[Post 992] Red Lobster CEO's Plan to Save the Restaurant From Bankruptcy | WSJ

Summary

Red Lobster exited bankruptcy in September after decades of declining sales and a disastrous all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion. Now, they’ve hired 35-year-old Damola Adamolekun as its new CEO to see the brand through bankruptcy and out the other side. Adamolekun revitalized P.F. Chang’s during Covid and hopes to do the same for America’s oldest seafood chain.

WSJ’s Heather Haddon spoke to the new, millennial CEO in Orlando to learn his plans to bring the casual dining restaurant back to its former glory.

[Post 991] Why Airlines Can’t Survive Without Loyalty Programs | WSJ Case Study

Summary

American Airlines created the first major airline loyalty program in 1981 as a way to compete for customers post-deregulation. But today these programs are the industry norm, having transformed into billions of dollar businesses with legs outside the aviation industry. The AAdvantage loyalty program has even become a business in its own right with airlines selling miles to banks, and was followed by similar programs with United, Delta, Southwest and more. 

WSJ breaks down how American Airlines created the program that changed the way the world flies.

[Post 990] Why Nonalcoholic Beer Is So Popular Now | WSJ The Economics Of

Summary

Nonalcoholic beer is one of the fastest growing segments of the beer industry, and Athletic Brewing is on top. So far in 2024, Athletic has outsold its nonalcoholic beer competitors including Heineken, Budweiser, Guinness and Corona in the U.S. Since its founding, Athletic has invested over $100 million into manufacturing and developing its own process of production. 

WSJ explains how its unique processes of production and methods of distribution have helped reinvent nonalcoholic beer. 

[Post 989] How Talking Toes chief rakes in six-figure revenues from socks with cute puns, positive messages

Summary

Home-grown socks brand Talking Toes was once dead in the water. Its director Lucas Saw tells CNA TODAY how he revived the business by seeking to warm not just people's' feet, but their hearts as well.

[Post 988] How Japanese Migrants Are Building New Lives In Bangkok | The New Locals - Part 8/8

Summary

Thailand offers Japanese migrants warmer weather, a favourable economy and room for them to be themselves. Take Makoto, who grew up in Thailand and the US, but feels most at home in Bangkok. She pursues her career in the media industry and also has a TikTok persona, Ani Obasan.

Contrary to popular belief, the Japanese in Bangkok do not live in their own silo. Nakamoto has lived in Thailand for over 19 years. He is married and lives with his Thai wife and children. He is a serial entrepreneur who picked Thai in just one and half years. The number of Japanese in Bangkok continues to grow, as does the strength of their love affair.

[Post 987] Why Chrysler Has Nearly Disappeared

Summary

The Chrysler name was once one of the most recognizable in the American automotive industry. A bankruptcy and two mergers later, it is just a tiny brand some fear will face extinction. Its lineup has been whittled down to two models of one vehicle – a minivan. But its brand CEO, Christine Feuell, says Chrysler is here to stay and more vehicles are coming soon.

[Post 986] What Went Wrong With Spirit Airlines?

Summary

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2024, the first major U.S. airline to do so since 2011. The iconic budget airline hasn’t had a profitable year since 2019 and it’s lost more than $2 billion since 2020. Faced with mounting losses and looming debt payments, Spirit has furloughed hundreds of pilots and offered salaried workers buyouts. It sold some of its Airbus fleet and cut routes. The airline has struggled with shifting demand, a spike in costs, and a Pratt and Whitney engine recall grounding dozens of its jets, weaker-than-expected sales and a failed acquisition with JetBlue Airways. How did the icon of U.S. budget air travel get here and what’s next for the low cost carrier?