If this novel entrepreneurial idea catches on elsewhere, it could help spur the sales of baked goods. A start-up bakery/coffee/wine shop in Ladue, Mo., offers customers the opportunity to sit down with friends, family or co-workers and decorate cakes, cupcakes and cookies. It’s a knock-off of the Build-A-Bear concept and it seems to be working so far. The Sweetology provides all the necessary supplies and utensils, including aprons and spatulas, plus workspace at marble-topped tables for adults and kids. Trained coaches – Sweetologists – guide customers in techniques, as well as choices of frosting, fondant, sprinkles and sugary accessories. The cost for a six-inch or nine-inch cake is $48 and $68 respectively, which includes a $10 an hour studio fee.
"Sweetology: Edible entertainment takes the cake", Belleville News-Democrat, July 06, 2014
Wake up call for the big fast-food chains: Americans don’t think your food tastes very good. A survey of more than 32,000 subscribers by Consumer Reports finds, for example, that hamburger aficionados prefer the fare served at In-N-Out-Burger, The Habit Burger Grill and Culver's over the burgers served at McDonald's. In fact, McDonald’s came in at No. 21 on the list of best-tasting burgers, behind Jack in the Box, Wendy's and Burger King. The best-tasting Mexican food is not served at Taco Bell, either, but at Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba Mexican Grill (Taco Bell came in at No. 8 on the list). A Consumer Reports editor noted that "more and more, food quality – not just low price – is emerging as a deciding-factor for many Americans”.
"McDonald's, Taco Bell, KFC laggards in U.S. fast-food survey", Reuters, July 02, 2014
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Retail Detail, July 14, 2014
GreenBiz.com, July 11, 2014
The Hindu Business Line, July 10, 2014
The Next Web, July 09, 2014
Financial Times, July 09, 2014
Wall Street Journal, July 08, 2014
TheStreet.com, July 07, 2014
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