Starbucks announced that Howard Schultz, the company’s modern-day founder and chairman emeritus, will step down from the board of directors as part of a planned transition. Schultz previously stepped down as CEO in March. "Schultz transformed Starbucks from a small company selling only whole beans to the renowned third place that it is today with more than 36,000 stores in 86 markets around the world," per QSR Magazine.

Instacart was a godsend during the pandemic, offering shut-in consumers a way to get groceries. But things have changed. "As Instacart prepares to go public next week, it is a markedly different company," per The New York Times. "Envisioned in 2012 as a service that matched people at home with contract workers who would shop for them and deliver groceries, it has increasingly focused on advertising and software products as its delivery business has slowed."

Offering a unique twist on back-to-school, Kraft Heinz and Mischief @ No Fixed Address have created four free "FUNdamental Textbooks." "Lessons in each volume integrate Kraft brands," per Muse By Clio. "And we use the term 'lessons' loosely. For example, 'Slurpstory' —like history, but slurpy—hypes Capri Sun, complete with a product sample inside. The other volumes contain snacks, too: Lunchables, Jell-O or Kraft Mac & Cheese. Predictably, the campaign's drawn some heat from health advocates, and from those who believe kids see enough brand messages already."

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm recently took a very public EV charging road trip. The challenges she and her entourage encountered are typical of EV owners everywhere every day, which she acknowledges. One problem that's slow to change is how inefficient the majority of current public chargers are. "When DC fast chargers were first built, 50 kilowatts (a measure of charging speed) was considered speedy," per NPR. "Times have changed. Many newer vehicles can charge at least three times faster than that. But those older chargers remain on roads, making up a sizable chunk of the country's fast-charging infrastructure."

McDonald's plans to eliminate its self-serve soft drink machines by 2032 at its U.S restaurants, the company said, explaining that the change will make the experience consistent for customers and crew across the chain. "For decades, McDonald’s let customers fill (and refill) their own drinks at its dining rooms," per CNN Business. "However, consumer behavior has changed since the pandemic, and the chain has experienced a surge in business through its drive-thru and delivery services, with fewer people choosing to eat in its dining rooms, reducing the need for the machines."

With cold and allergy season upon us, an FDA panel is revealing a startling theory: a common decongestant doesn't work. "The panel’s vote tees up a likely decision by the agency on whether to essentially ban the ingredient, phenylephrine, which would result in pulling products containing it from store shelves," per The New York Times."If the F.D.A. ordered their removal, a trade group warned that numerous popular products — including Tylenol, Mucinex and Benadryl cold and flu remedies — might become unavailable as companies race to reformulate them."

Kentucky Fried Chicken is launching a new spicy menu item just in time for football season. "The new KFC Hot & Spicy Wings are a favorite of longtime KFC fan and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and his family, who call them 'legendary' in new video content," per QSR Magazine. "This season KFC has also partnered with Amazon Prime Video and Twitch to unveil special content featuring sports journalist, Taylor Rooks and pro quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Fans can see this KFC content roll out across Amazon Prime Video and Twitch beginning Sept. 14."

Consumers will get a first look at some of America’s favorite cars, trucks and SUVs when the Detroit auto show opens its doors to the public Sept. 16-24. "In addition to new vehicles ranging from pickups to high-performance coupes, electric vehicle pioneer Tesla returns to the show for the first time in years, with four vehicles available for rides on an indoor EV track," per the Detroit Free Press. "Multiple brands will offer vehicles test rides inside the Huntington Place riverfront convention center and on the adjacent streets of the Detroit Grand Prix course. Ford and Jeep will have …

With student loan payments kicking back in starting in October, restaurants are among the categories that could be affected by tightening purse strings. The three-year federal pause on student loan payments impacts about 44 million borrowers, who will have less money to spend on things like add-ons, fancy drinks, impulse buys, or night-out splurges in general. 

Unilever’s chief financial officer Graeme Pitkethly is defenidng the “holistic” impact of marketing spend across the business to investors and financial analysts. During a fireside chat at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference 2023, in front of an audience of investors and analysts, Pitkethly was quizzed about the reasons for stepping up marketing investments. "Rather than judging the effectiveness of brand and advertising investment by looking for an immediate growth in sales, Unilever will look across a range of metrics, including the reach and frequency of its communications," according to Marketing Week.