They thought it was a real Shake-down. Just in case guilt tipping wasn’t already running amok. An incensed customer has accused Shake Shack of raising the prices on their order after they didn’t leave a gratuity at the self-checkout kiosk. “My wife says that if you don’t tip at Shake Shack, they make it more … Read more
Another new American Airlines policy is taking off — and loyal flyers aren’t thrilled about where it’s landing. Beginning Aug. 25, elite AAdvantage members flying on some of the most popular three-cabin domestic routes will no longer be eligible for complimentary upgrades from the main cabin to business class. Instead, their free upgrade will only bump … Read more
You’ll want to take a seat — or two — for this big move. Southwest Airlines has updated a controversial policy after a trove of upset customers. The airline’s “Customer of Size policy” was for plus-size travelers who needed additional accommodations and was even praised in the past. In the past, Southwest would allow plus-sized … Read more
Enough is enough. There’s no denying that tipping culture in America has gotten out of hand. It doesn’t matter if it’s a $7 coffee or a hefty bill at a bougie restaurant — everyone’s hands are extended out asking for a gratuity. It’s a hot topic that everyone seems to have an opinion on, including … Read more
Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said Wednesday the fast-casual chain is seeing improvement in customers’ perceptions of affordability. Speaking on Chipotle’s second-quarter earnings call, Boatwright said the company’s brand tracking showed improved perceptions of value across “all income groups and age cohorts.” “As it relates to value, I’m happy to report our brand tracker showed really solid progress across all … Read more
Don’t forget to tip your robots. A hungry Popeyes customer visited the Great Lakes Crossing mall location in Auburn Hills, Michigan and ordered his meal at a kiosk. When it was time to pay, the self-service machine asked for a tip. The diner, who posted the exchange on a popular Facebook group called Retail Dead … Read more
They’re not loving it. McDonald’s is getting flak for supposedly joining other restaurant chains and supermarkets in jumping on the shrinkflation bandwagon. The fired-up conversation was sparked by a Reddit user who shared a side-by-side photo of a small McDonald’s soda and a small blue plastic cup, pointing out how tiny the chain’s drink size … Read more
Well, that’s priceless. An observant Dollar Tree shopper recently spotted a price checker in the aisles at their local store. In a post on the popular Facebook group Retail Dead or Alive, a space dedicated to “discussing retail of ANY kind,” a member posted a photo of the scanner. “Never thought I’d see the day … Read more
We’re not “king of the hill, top of the heap” when it comes to customer service. New York might not have the world’s friendliest servers, but it did crack the top five among towns in the US. At least that was the verdict rendered by the experts at business insurance firm Money Super Market, who … Read more
Several restaurants in Northern California have decided the best way to reel in new guests for a dining experience is to let them pay what they can for their meals. Michelin-starred restaurants like Merchant Roots and Bombero in the Bay Area are telling guests to eat what they want and pay whatever they can for … Read more
Gal’s girls turned out in force for a watch party celebrating the hottest reality show of the summer: “Love Island USA.” While the Season 8 Islanders and late-arriving “bombshells” remain cut off from the outside world in a Fiji villa with no phones or social media, one Venice, California, café is cashing in on the … Read more
Dollar General will officially be living up to its name again — with $1 price tags. The discount retailer’s CEO, Todd Vasos, announced in an earnings call that shoppers pinching pennies will now spot over 2,000 items across stores “at or below the $1 price point.” But when and why did the chain’s costs rise … Read more
They’re teching things up a notch. Costco, known for offering its warehouse club members decent deals on bulk buys sans the bells and whistles of digital devices, is now introducing scanning technology and digital membership cards to improve customer experience. It’s an automated miracle. Costo rolling out new technology including a Scan & Pay feature and digital … Read more
Burger King fans have crowned the nuggets that reign supreme. For the first time since 2011, BK put crown-shaped nuggets back on the menu after years of customers asking for them to return, adding them to their new summer menu. Customers can purchase them standalone as an 8-piece order for $3.49 or as part of … Read more
For one Outback Steakhouse customer, the mashed potatoes came at an additional cost and were apparently best served on the floor. A Virginia woman has filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against the Australian-themed restaurant chain, claiming she slipped on mashed potatoes inside a restaurant and fell face-first onto the floor, suffering serious and permanent injuries. … Read more
A viral video shows a Domino’s employee keeping her cool while being confronted by an angry group of customers demanding a refund. The video, recorded by one of the customers, shows the group upset that the employee refused to issue a refund because the guests did not bring the pizza box back to the store. … Read more
Those inflated costs were elf-ing up business. Cosmetics and skincare company e.l.f. Beauty is finally giving beauty buffs a break, reversing its tariff-fueled price increases to quell the “suffering” of cash-strapped customers amid the gas crisis. “We’ve seen units drop off a bit more in the last few months as consumers have particularly been suffering with higher … Read more
Ticked-off Target customers claim its new carts totally miss the bullseye. Fire and brimstone are befalling the big-box store yet again as incensed shoppers say its 50,000 newfangled carts are “pieces of garbage” that are “falling apart.” Sounds like hell on wheels. Target is catching flak over its new fleet of shopping carts, which critics … Read more
Costco is making a small change to one of its bakery staples — and members are divided. Shopping at Costco tends to come with the dilemma of good prices but too much food, and now the warehouse chain is testing a new way to sell its Kirkland Signature bagels to combat that. When buying bagels … Read more
Wendy’s has brought back its Sweet and Sour dipping sauce after months of backlash from customers. The sauce was scrapped in September 2025 as part of a broader menu shake-up that cut several originals, including Ghost Pepper Ranch and BBQ, and introduced a new lineup featuring Signature, Scorchin’ Hot, Creamy Ranch, Honey BBQ, Honey Mustard … Read more