Money

Why restaurants are embracing Uber-style surge pricing

Published

2 years ago

February 29, 2024

A growing number of restaurants across the U.S have quietly adopted surge pricing strategies, reaping substantial profits from the controversial practice.

Among those implementing fluctuating menu prices during peak hours are barbecue chain Tony Roma’s and nearly 100 other small restaurants, following the lead of fast-food giant Wendy’s, which plans to introduce similar pricing models next year.

Sauce Pricing, a Los Angeles-based startup backed by industry heavyweights including founding members of Sweetgreen, Uber, and Airbnb, provides the software specialising in dynamic pricing.

According to the company, restaurants can increase item prices by 10% to 20% during busy periods, resulting in customers potentially paying an additional $1 to $2 for a $10 item.

Reports suggest that some establishments have seen their profit margins double as a result of surge pricing.

Annual profit

One example cited is Las Vegas-based casual eatery Rachel’s Kitchen, which reportedly earned an additional $64,000 in annual profit across its three stores.

The company’s CEO, Debbie Roxarzade, confirmed the use of Sauce Pricing’s software, stating that price fluctuations are capped at 15% and apply only to delivery orders from platforms like Doordash, UberEats, and Grubhub.

While Tony Roma’s did not respond to requests for comment, ice cream chain Carvel, listed as a Sauce Pricing customer, denied any affiliation with the startup when contacted by reporters.

The surge pricing model, reminiscent of the “Uber-style” dynamic pricing, allows businesses to adjust prices based on demand.

However, it has sparked criticism from some consumers, particularly in light of rising inflation and food prices. Wendy’s recent announcement of plans to pilot dynamic pricing drew ire from customers on social media platforms.

Money

US stocks surge amid AI hype despite market volatility

US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.

Published

10 minutes ago

December 22, 2025

Harvey Vargas

US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.

The US stock market has experienced a rollercoaster year, with the S&P 500 nearly entering a bear market in April due to tariff concerns. Investor sentiment shifted following policy changes from President Trump, setting the stage for a dramatic rebound.

By June, the S&P 500 was hitting new records, fueled by excitement over artificial intelligence and its impact on the tech sector. Corporate profit forecasts improved, contributing to an overall annual gain of 16%, despite ongoing market fluctuations.

Yet, the S&P 500 still trails international markets, reflecting lingering policy uncertainties in the US.

Investors are watching closely to see how domestic and global factors will shape the next year.

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Money

Stocks rally ahead of Thanksgiving as markets log four days of gains

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Published

4 weeks ago

November 27, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Markets are moving into the Thanksgiving break with strong momentum, as stocks notch four straight days of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 388 points, while the S&P 500 added 0.9%, pushing both indexes toward their best week since June.

Oracle led major movers, rising more than 4% after Deutsche Bank reaffirmed its bullish outlook on the tech giant. Broad investor optimism continues building across sectors as economic data softens and earnings remain resilient.

All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve and what potential shifts in interest-rate policy may mean for the markets. U.S. markets will close Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen Friday for a shortened trading session.

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Money

Dow surges 500 points amid rate cut optimism

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

Published

4 weeks ago

November 26, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

In Short:
– Dow Jones rose 569 points, reflecting optimism for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.
– Alphabet’s stock increased as Meta may invest in AI chips, but Nvidia’s declined amid market concerns.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 569 points or 1.2% on Tuesday, reflecting investor optimism for an upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate cut. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also posted gains, up 0.8% and 0.4% respectively. This represented a recovery from earlier losses, where the S&P 500 briefly fell by 0.7%.

Markets anticipate an 85% chance of a quarter-point rate cut in December, driven by comments from New York Fed President John Williams, who indicated the possibility of lower rates soon. Investor sentiment strengthened following reports that Kevin Hassett may be appointed as the next Fed chair, potentially resulting in a more lenient monetary policy.

Tech Sector

Alphabet saw its stock rise by over 1% after reports indicated that Meta Platforms might invest in its AI chips. This could signal increased demand for AI technology, benefiting the sector overall. However, Nvidia’s stock fell more than 3%, suggesting concerns about its dominance in the AI chip market.

Investors are also wary of the valuation of tech stocks. Despite recent gains, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain down over 1% and 3%, respectively, for November, while the Dow has lost more than 1% this month. The broader market’s performance indicates ongoing scrutiny regarding tech valuations amid changing economic expectations.