The Best One Yet

Delta unveiled the biggest corporate bonus plan ever, so we’re looking at its Return On Investment strategy (Happy flight attendants = Happy fliers). GM unveiled a robocar that reaches Level 5 on the all-mighty (and unofficial) self-driving car measuring stick for self-driving-ness. And startup Memphis Meats snags the biggest ever fundraise for a cell-based meat company — growing chicken thighs in the lab.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amazon is pursuing a new feature to sell to retail stores to take on Apple Pay — We’re talking “pay by hand” (and we’re calling it “Amazon Hand”). Uber’s whipping up a “name your own price” idea for drivers so it can prove to regulators it’s just an app, not a ride company. And PetMed Express shares fell 6% even though it’s sitting on top of 2 trends. Also, we’re flying over to London for the Robinhood launch across the pond — you can sign up to attend our live pod recording on Jan 28th or Jan 29th at rbnhd.co/uksnacks.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve got a new #1 in the US meal kit market — HelloFresh is beating Blue Apron (even though mealkitting may be in trouble). Zales/Kay/Jared’s owner Signet Jewelers watched its stock pop 40% last week, but its “Path to Brilliance” plan may not be working. And Microsoft is acting more like a non-profit, announcing it’s not just going carbon neutral… it’s going carbon negative (mic drop).Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shares of the Gap pop 5% on word it’s doing the opposite of what it planned to do — it’s no longer spinning off Old Navy, its best-performing brand. NBC reveals the details of Peacock, but it’s acting like the flaky friend of the Streaming Wars. And China holds German car companies hostage (the USA is no longer the only global economic police). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We finally got to see what was actually in the Phase 1 trade deal that was just signed. We noticed Build-A-Bear shares popped 14% because it’s working on what Hasbro can’t: A Baby Yoda doll. And Califia Farms is our (almost) “Unicorn of the Day,” snagging $225M in fresh funding to make plant-based milks bigger than plant-based meats.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s big bank earnings season, so we went financial on this one. JPMorgan Chase apparently covers half of America, which led to its record profit (more than the value of 2 Lyfts). Visa dropped $5.3B to acquire Plaid, the fintech app that sits on a treasure trove of financial info, like your Venmo account. And BlackRock’s CEO whips up a new mandate: $7T to fight climate change through good, clean, financial pressure.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We slept on the Casper IPO documents released over the weekend, then realized they spent $80M just dealing with mattress returns last year. 23andMe hits a new corporate milestone — treating diseases with your saliva. And Primo Water boasts that it’s a pure-play water company, but it just got swallowed up.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quibi raises (another) $400M to create a new “era” (their words) beyond video streaming. Sweetgreen gets a profile in the NYT, and we think it may be the most innovative company in food right now. And “the OPEC of chocolate” may raise prices on the critical ingredient for Hershey and Mondelez sweets.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Verizon whips up a new pricing model for its cable TV, but it’s basically creating subscripturation in our lives. Softbank startups like Zume Pizza and Getaround are starting the year by firing employees (we’re in a new decade of unicorns). And 100% wine tariff threats may mess with your Friday evening pinot plans.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re testing out a new title format, Snackers. Grubhub shares jumped 13% on news it’s trying to sell itself. Spotify’s launching a dynamic new advertising format that reminds us of Facebook. And the “you might die from this” fitness event startup Tough Mudder is reportedly being pushed to file for bankruptcy.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Impossible Foods is adding plant-based sausage — but rival Beyond Meat’s stock jumped 10%. Goldman Sachs’ stock has barely budged in the last 3 years, so it’s redecorating itself to focus on 1 word: Transparency. And Tesla shares just hit an all-time high as its Gigafactory opens in China, so we’re looking at whether that makes sense.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SmileDirectClub abandoned its direct-to-consumer ways to launch in Walmart stores, but it’s missing one big thing: Its core product. Taser-inventor Axon acquired a rival last year, but now it’s been accused of running a taser monopoly. And Yum Brands happens to own Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, but now it’s acquiring a burger chain — so why burgers, why now?Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaaand we’re back. While you were unwrapping gifts, Snapchat treated itself to an augmented reality startup that makes the hilarious filters for Snapchat. OneMedical just filed paperwork to IPO already even though the industry it’s in hates new brands. And Apple’s got a new mantra for 2020: Make HomeKit happen.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our last pod of 2019 (we’re taking a 2-week break until Monday, January 6th), we’re going digestibly bold: Our 3 bold predictions for 2020. Will Apple buy Tesla? Can Amazon eliminate boxes? And does Chipotle really need tables, or can it just do delivery and pickup? We’ll see you Snackers again in 2020.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ikea’s always been focused on furniture, now it aims to democratize smart furniture (but it needs help). FedEx plummeted 10% because it’s losing its profit puppy. And International Flavors & Fragrances makes the scents and tastes you’re touching and tasting daily, but shares fell 9% because its latest merger is all about 1 single bet.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weight Watchers tried to turn itself around the last couple years by adding Oprah to the board, but now she’s headlining a 9-city WW wellness tour. Now that Boeing has officially suspended production of its controversial 737 Max planes, we break down its worst year, by the numbers. Getting Alexa everywhere was Part 1 of Amazon’s voice activation plans — Part 2 is making money off your Alexa use.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

H&M has spent 2 years trying to burn fewer clothes (literally), and an 11% sales rebound shows it’s finally working. Intel splurged $2B on a chip company because the last time it tried to build its own, it failed. And Sprout Social IPO’d to help your company’s social media manager relax.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

V-commerce — aka “voice commerce” has new momentum after online radio Pandora tests ads that let you talk back. Car prices are starting to mimic airplane ones, forcing you to pay extra if you want anything. And stocks hit record highs last week on word the US and China actually/finally reached an agreement over phase 1 of the trade deal.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you noticed that Avis shares plunged, that’s because Lyft just whipped up a car rental service. The hero of Disney+ has been Baby Yoda, but toy-maker Hasbro didn’t get the memo and missed out on millions of potential holiday toy sales. Delta’s Investor Day lets us get to know the airline better — and it’s basically a credit car company.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oil legend Saudi Aramco is the most valuable company in the world and it just IPO’d, but how does it make money? Luggage brandicorn Away went through a week worse than your worst travel trip, so we’re looking at what actually went wrong. And Lululemon reported earnings, but we’re curious about whether it can become the next Nike.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just in time for your first turns, Vail Resorts’ earnings gave insights on where you should ski — and highlighted the growing showdown on ski passes. Yumi raised $8M for fancy subscription baby food, but we’re focused on who gave them that money. And the NAFTA trade treaty is being replaced by the USMCA now that Congress, the Senate, and the President are all on board.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday we broke down why Airbnb shouldn’t acquire a competitor — now they just took the first step in acquiring another called Zeus. Amazon lost the $10B JEDI contract with the government, but its fight against the decision reveals what business ethics are all about. And former Fed Chair Paul Volker passed away, so we’re sharing his 2 biggest financial lessons.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alphabet’s self-driving car company, Waymo, just took a big step towards real robotaxis — an app for the general public. Otis Elevators made skyscrapers possible, and now it’s getting spun-off into its own company. And a fresh profile on HipCamp (the Airbnb for camp sites) has us wondering if it’s simply an Airbnb acquisition target.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rent the Runway partnered up with W Hotels so you don’t have to pack clothes for vacation. GM and LG are launching a joint venture focused on car batteries, which are the critical (and absurdly expensive) part to any electric car. And Tupperware is trying to go upscale with its plastic by claiming its reusable plastic is more sustainable… even though it’s plastic.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Absurdly expensive coat designer Canada Goose just opened up a store that literally snows inside — “experiential retail” is now “sensational retail.” Nintendo’s Switch console just enjoyed its best week of sales in the US, even though it’s been around for almost 3 years already. And Duolingo became Pittsburgh’s 1st unicorn, hitting a $1.5B valuation as it teaches you French.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google’s legendary co-founders are stepping down effective immediately, but it’s probably because Google’s had its most controversial year in ever. Our “Unicorn of the Day” is Zume whose robot pizza is already worth $2B, and it sells the most intense food trucks you’ve ever experienced. And Roku stock plummeted and then surged after two analysts gave opposite interpretations of its streaming potential.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cyber Monday set a record as the biggest online shopping day in US history — but the real winner this year is Shopify. Jack Dorsey is busy being the CEO of both Twitter and Square, but now he wants to live in Africa for 6 months. And McDonald’s is looking to enter the Chicken Sandwich Wars, but its biggest challenge comes from the inside: Franchisees.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black Friday in-store shopping actually fell from last year — but purchases made on smartphones and with in-store pickup dominated, so we’re renaming it: “Mobile Cyber Pickup Week.” SoulCycle just lost its CEO while Peloton stock had its best week ever, so we’re getting on both bikes. And Dollar Tree’s stock dropped 19% last week, so we’re looking at how tariffs are about to change everything.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2nd half of our Snacks recording live from Spotify. We sit down with Max Cutler, the Founder & MD of Parcast Studios at Spotify — his startup was acquired by Spotify earlier this year. We’re asking about how he first pitched his company, whether podcasts will follow the Netflix strategy, and what his favorite pod is. Ever.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ebay snagged StubHub for itself in 2007 for $300M, but it just sold the ticket company for a cool $4B. Uber has officially been rejected from London because policy risk is a real thing. And Charles Schwab treated itself to an early gift by buying up rival TD Ameritrade for $26B — and the strategy was straight out of Game of Thrones.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allbirds’ CEO noticed that Amazon’s been knocking off its go-to shoes — Amazon calls them “equivalents,” we call them “knock-offs”. Target is enjoying shipping nirvana and shares are up 91% this year because it’s pulled off same-day shipping magic. And PayPal splurged $4B for deal-snagging pioneer Honey, but Wall Street ironically thinks it overpaid.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spotify invited us to their NYC offices to record a live podcast — it’s a podcast about podcasts for our podcast listening Snackers. We introduce to the Snackers how we got into podcasting, how we built this podcast (every day), and the 5 ingredients for a podcast that people will actually listen to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria’s Secret still has its 83 year old CEO despite (another) rough quarter — So we whipped up a gameplan for them to get less out of touch with millennials. Greek yogurt legend Chobani just introduced its first non-dairy option: Oat milk. We’re wondering if plant-based milk is a trend or a fad. And TJ Maxx and Urban Outfitters both reported earnings, but discount prices is helping one and hurting the other.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warby Parker is the OG disrupter, cutting out the middle man of retail — now it’s launching its 2nd everproduct line: “Scout” contacts. Microsoft was threatened by Slack, so it launched a rival/knockoff messaging service called Teams — we just learned it’s got 20M users. And Home Depot usually just rides a strong housing market to strong profits, but it botched one part of the business that relies on Home Depot alone.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coty cosmetics realized it was probably easier to just acquire 51% of Kylie Jenner’s beauty brand than compete (so it did). Ford unveiled its Mustang-looking electric SUV that’s not just a compliance car. And The New York Times broke down what FedEx did with its tax cut money… which highlights what companies actually do with their tax cut money.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fancy home goods chain Restoration Hardware jumped 8% after an investment by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway… and it’s totally not Warren’s style investment. Pinterest is such a nice social media company that it’s not throwing enough advertising at users. And Peloton will reportedly launch 2 new products in 2020 as it uses Tesla’s playbook.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canopy Growth is the most valuable cannabis company, but the price of cannabis it sold last quarter dropped by 27% because Canada’s got an oversupply problem. Daimler and Ford just announced big investments in electric cars, while Tesla’s won awards. And our “Maybe-Unicorn of the Day” 1Password knows you don’t want to remember 243 usernames and passwords — it’s service makes you remember just 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google plans to launch a checking account, another sign that Big Tech wants to understand your daily spending. Nike decided it no longer wants to sell on Amazon, probably thanks to its new CEO (who is an eBay guy). And the Uber for freight, Convoy, just raised $400M to take on… Uber Freight.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TikTok set a record for app downloads, so Facebook just decided to knock it off with a new Instagram feature. Alibaba’s Singles Day set a sales record of $38B in 24 hours — so we’re looking at why the stock fell. And big milk giant Dean Foods just filed for bankruptcy, but you can’t (totally) blame Millennials for it.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adidas tried to update its manufacturing with a fancy new “speedfactory,” but now it’s relocating them out of the US and into Vietnam and China. Both Bumble and Walgreens have something in common: They’re suddenly into private equity. And Apple is planning for an iPhone-less future with iGlasses and iHelmets (we made up those names) after its 5-year plan was leaked.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Party City’s stock dropped 67% after a brutal Halloween and helium crisis, so we’re looking at what issues it can actually control. Zillow has pivoted from just exposing real estate prices to also buying homes — that’s a big and risky bet. And with Gap’s CEO getting fired last week, 2019 has become a record year for CEOs losing/leaving their jobs.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb’s suffering a sudden trust crisis so it’s responding proactively(ish) with a bold move: Verifying all 7 million of its listings by next year. Coca-Cola’s trying to succeed in the flavored sparkling water market (again) with an aggressive anti-LaCroix move — caffeinated sparkling water for your mornings. And Toyota is the profitable surprise among Japanese car companies because it hates “muda.” A lot.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Uber Eats job posting revealed that it’s further monetizing the food delivery app by sticking ads into the search results for “pizza”. Grocery chain Kroger hasn’t recovered from Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods, so its Operation Restock recovery plan may involve a clever pricing strategy with Microsoft. And Xerox may acquire HP, which is three times bigger than it. We’re looking at how that’s possible.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Match Group shares dropped because it’s not as ambitious about the upcoming holidays as investors wanted — so we looked at Hinge and its adorable new mascot. Peloton’s numbers outperformed what analysts expected, but the stock still dropped because Wall Street can be irrational. And Wag is our “Almost Unicorn of the Day” whose jumbo fundraise from a key WeWork investor hasn’t helped.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uber lost a shocking $1.2B last quarter, but now it’s hoping/planning to hit profitability in 2021 (same as Lyft). Under Armour is suffering from a sudden accounting investigation, but the real issue is with its core business, and its sneakers. And Walmart launched alcohol pickup (and some delivery) across 2,000 stores because it can’t beat Amazon on price.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember when we mentioned Google could acquire Fitbit last Friday? It did. So we’re looking to understand why Google’s paying almost double the normal stock price. Insurance giant AIG doesn’t like catastrophes, and last quarter had fewer than expected. And electric toothbrush startup Quip just launched a floss that turns the razor/razorblade pricing model on its head.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dunkin’ shares popped 6% after it spent the last 3 months amping up its 4-part game plan for fast food innovation. Apple’s earnings revealed that it’s becoming a wearables company, powered by AirPods and Apple Watches. And World Wrestling Entertainment stock plummeted 16% as its Middle East TV dreams get crushed.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Dorsey just took a jab at Mark Zuckerberg by banning political ads from Twitter, via tweet. Peloton rival Mirror snagged $34M in fresh funding from Lululemon, Karlie Kloss, and Steve Cohen’s hedge fund, so we’re looking at who could buy them. And Fiat Chrysler and Peugeut are planning to merge to create Earth’s 4th biggest car company, because merged car companies live longer.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We just realized today’s Snacks has a delivery theme. GrubHub stock lost nearly half its value because the CEO thinks you’ve been “promiscuous” with your late-night food delivery. Amazon goes with the nuclear option by launching free grocery delivery for all prime members. And Lockheed Martin just got an expensive order for F-35 fighter jets from the Defense Department.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic just became the first ever space tourism IPO, but investors don’t have anything to compare this to. Beyond Meat enjoyed its 1st ever profit, but the stock still dropped 10%. And Tiffany’s received a $14.5B acquisition proposal by French luxury leader LVMH because they’re a complementary couple.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.