Jon Small
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Articles by Jon Small
How a French Countryside Estate Redefined My Idea of a Southern California Spa Original
Disassembled in Europe and rebuilt north of San Diego, Cal-a-Vie blends 17th-century châteaux vibes with serious fitness and farm-to-fork cuisine. When most men hear “spa vacation,” a certain image comes to mind: Cucumber slices over your eyes. Rabbit-friendly portions of food that leave you fantasizing about the pub burger down the road. Being wrapped in seaweed to the sound of whale calls. I was skeptical, too.
Cyberhackers just took down the freezers at 400 French supermarkets, forcing grocers to throw away food
Hackers usually go after your data . In France, they went after the frozen peas. A cyberattack on refrigeration systems hit more than 400 supermarkets in France , forcing some stores to throw out food, according to The New York Times . About 300 Intermarché and Netto stores were affected, along with 80 Coopérative U and 30 Monoprix locations. The attack targeted systems from three companies that remotely control refrigerators, according to France's National Cybersecurity Agency.
Cyberhackers Just Took Down the Freezers at 400 French Supermarkets, Forcing Grocers to Throw Away Food
Nobody has claimed responsibility, and many of the targeted systems were running outdated software. Hackers usually go after your data . In France, they went after the frozen peas. A cyberattack on refrigeration systems hit more than 400 supermarkets in France , forcing some stores to throw out food, according to The New York Times . About 300 Intermarché and Netto stores were affected, along with 80 Coopérative U and 30 Monoprix locations.
AI leaders are privately gaming out what happens after a major AI disaster: 'Hundreds of billions of dollars in damage'
Nothing to worry about over here, just the fact that the people building AI are preparing for it to go badly wrong, very soon. Axios reports that top executives at Anthropic, OpenAI and other AI companies are privately planning for a public and political backlash after a catastrophic AI event. Many insiders expect this to happen within six to 12 months, most likely as a cyberattack that knocks out financial services, internet access or even power and water.
Taco Bell and Milk Bar are stuffing a birthday cake into an empanada
Taco Bell and Milk Bar want you to have your cake and eat it too. The limited-edition Birthday Cake Empanada rolls the bakery's signature cake flavor into an empanada. Pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles top it off. It hits menus nationwide Oct. 15 for $3.49, according to Nation's Restaurant News This is the third team-up for the two brands. They paired up on Strawberry Bell Truffles in 2022 and Birthday Cake Churros in 2025.
AI Leaders Are Privately Gaming Out What Happens After a Major AI Disaster: ‘Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in Damage'
Insiders expect a large-scale attack within 6 months to a year, though some security pros say the worst-case warnings are overblown. Nothing to worry about over here, just the fact that the people building AI are preparing for it to go badly wrong, very soon. Axios reports that top executives at Anthropic, OpenAI and other AI companies are privately planning for a public and political backlash after a catastrophic AI event.
Taco Bell and Milk Bar Are Stuffing a Birthday Cake Into an Empanada
The $3.49 dessert is the latest move in Taco Bell's push to win the afternoon snack crowd. Taco Bell and Milk Bar want you to have your cake and eat it too. The limited-edition Birthday Cake Empanada rolls the bakery's signature cake flavor into an empanada. Pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles top it off. It hits menus nationwide Oct. 15 for $3.49, according to Nation's Restaurant News This is the third team-up for the two brands.
Taco Bell and Milk Bar Are Stuffing a Birthday Cake Into an Empanada
Jon Small Tue, October 13, 2026 at 9:45 AM EDT 1 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. Taco Bell and Milk Bar want you to have your cake and eat it too. The limited-edition Birthday Cake Empanada rolls the bakery's signature cake flavor into an empanada. Pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles top it off.
Hilton's AI Trip Planner Wants To Book Your Travel. Customers Aren't So Sure Yet.
The hotel is using AI to keep bookings in-house, but most travelers still don't trust a chatbot to plan their vacation. Tell Hilton you want a winter getaway, and its Hilton AI Planner will hand back a destination, a hotel and a plan for the whole trip. The Anthropic -powered tool has held more than 18,000 conversations with guests as of August, according to PYMNTS . Orlando, Aspen and the Caribbean are some of the top searches.
As franchises go after Chick-fil-A, its CEO is prescribing a healthy dose of fear
The chicken franchise wars are getting extra crispy. Chicken chain sales grew 5.3% in 2025, compared with 3% for the restaurant industry overall and 1.5% for burger chains, according to Technomic data cited by Restaurant Business Raising Cane's Dave's Hot Chicken and Wingstop have all helped fuel the fowl. Now McDonald's wants in. The Golden Arches' new $8.5 billion modernization plan includes a goal of gaining 1.5 points of chicken market share by 2030.
A New Lawsuit Claims Some Starbucks ‘Sugar-Free' Drinks Have as Much Sugar as a Kit Kat
The suit claims the protein drinks mislead customers, but Starbucks says it intends to “vigorously defend” itself. If you didn't expect a candy bar's worth of sugar in your latte, you may be entitled to compensation. A new federal lawsuit accuses Starbucks of misleading customers by labeling certain protein lattes and matcha drinks “sugar-free.” According to the suit, the drinks contain 13 to 21 grams of sugar per serving, sometimes as much as a Kit Kat bar, NBC News reports .
As Franchises Go After Chick-fil-A, Its CEO Is Prescribing a ‘Healthy Dose of Fear'
Andrew Cathy say the heated franchise chicken wars will only make his company better. The chicken franchise wars are getting extra crispy. Chicken chain sales grew 5.3% in 2025, compared with 3% for the restaurant industry overall and 1.5% for burger chains, according to Technomic data cited by Restaurant Business Raising Cane's Dave's Hot Chicken and Wingstop have all helped fuel the fowl. Now McDonald's wants in.
These Cats and Dogs Have the Best Job Ever: Taste-Testing Pet Food for a $17 Billion Industry
At a Royal Canin research center in France, hundreds of cats and dogs gobble kibble for science and business. Researchers in France have created a dream job for cats and dogs . At a Royal Canin research center, about 160 of them are tasked with taste-testing pet food while nutritionists document their preferences, behavior and stool quality. The goal is to develop premium blends that satisfy both the animal's taste buds and the owner's parental instincts.
Dr Pepper on your pizza? It's a thing now at some franchises.
People love the taste of Dr Pepper soda, so restaurants are choosing new ways to work it into sauces, rubs and shakes. Round Table Pizza launched a Dr Pepper-inspired menu last month built around a Dr Pepper-infused barbecue sauce, according to Restaurant Business. The Los Angeles-based chain's Dr Pepper BBQ Pizza is topped with bacon and mini pepperoni, then finished with a drizzle of the sauce that pools in the pepperoni cups.
Dr Pepper on Your Pizza? It's a Thing Now at Some Franchises.
Round Table Pizza, Slim Chickens and Portillo's are turning the 23-flavor soda into sauces, rubs and shakes. People love the taste of Dr Pepper soda, so restaurants are choosing new ways to work it into sauces, rubs and shakes. Round Table Pizza launched a Dr Pepper-inspired menu last month built around a Dr Pepper-infused barbecue sauce, according to Restaurant Business.
Dr Pepper on Your Pizza? It’s a Thing Now at Some Franchises.
Jon Small Updated Thu, October 8, 2026 at 10:16 AM EDT 1 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google Round Table Pizza | Facebook Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. People love the taste of Dr Pepper soda, so restaurants are choosing new ways to work it into sauces, rubs and shakes.
These Siblings Were Supposed to Get Subway Owners the Best Deals on Supplies. Instead, Proecutors Say They Ran an $80 Million Fraud Scheme.
These Siblings Were Supposed to Get Subway Owners the Best Deals on Supplies. Instead, Proecutors Say They Ran an $80 Million Fraud Scheme. Wed, October 7, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT SOPA Images | Getty Images Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. Call it the Great Subway Robbery. Prosecutors say the woman buying supplies for Subway owners and her brother pocketed millions in kickbacks.
Self-checkout was supposed to save stores time and money. Turns out it does neither.
If you've ever stood at self-checkout scanning your own groceries and wondered why you're doing the cashier's job, you're not alone. Retailers are over self-checkout too. Only 36% of the 340 retailers in this year's Voice of the Retail Industry Survey plan to invest in it, according to TechSpot. That's down seven points from last year. It was the least popular tech in the survey and the only one losing steam. And it isn't even faster.
Self-Checkout Was Supposed to Save Stores Time and Money. Turns Out It Does Neither.
Thai Liang Lim | Getty Images Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. If you've ever stood at self-checkout scanning your own groceries and wondered why you're doing the cashier's job, you're not alone. Retailers are over self-checkout too. Only 36% of the 340 retailers in this year's Voice of the Retail Industry Survey plan to invest in it, according to TechSpot. That's down seven points from last year.
Google Goes Nuclear With a Massive Power Deal to Keep Data Centers Running
AI is hungry for power sources and nuclear energy is the main course. Google is saying yes to nukes. The tech giant has signed a deal with Constellation Energ y for 3,590 megawatts of electricity, Reuters reports . Constellation will invest more than $4.3 billion in its fleet as part of the agreement. The Google nuclear power deal locks in 890 megawatts for 20 years from 11 Constellation reactors in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Happy Joe's Shrank From 100 Locations to 34. Now New Investors Have a Plan to Put a Smile Back on the Franchise's Face.
The chain behind taco pizza survived a 2022 bankruptcy. Its new owners say the comeback starts with the dough. Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream has new owners. A group of Quad Cities investors acquired the 54-year-old chain's franchising company and three company-owned restaurants in Iowa, QSR reports. Terms weren't disclosed. Founder Joe Whitty opened the first location in Davenport in 1972, and the chain claims it invented taco pizza two years later.
Happy Joe’s Shrank From 100 Locations to 34. Now New Investors Have a Plan to Put a Smile Back on the Franchise’s Face.
Happy Joe's Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream has new owners. A group of Quad Cities investors acquired the 54-year-old chain's franchising company and three company-owned restaurants in Iowa, QSR reports. Terms weren't disclosed. Founder Joe Whitty opened the first location in Davenport in 1972, and the chain claims it invented taco pizza two years later.
Utah's Breakout Star Is an AI App That Writes Acne Prescriptions — No Dr. Pimple Popper Required
Utah is the first state to let AI prescribe zit medicine without direct doctor oversight. Starting this week, Utahns can get an acne prescription without ever seeing a doctor. It's the first time a state has let AI stand in for a real-life physician, Bloomberg reports Patients scan their face in the app from telehealth startup Nolla Health . The AI scores the severity of their acne and recommends one of eight approved topical treatments.
Utah’s Breakout Star Is an AI App That Writes Acne Prescriptions — No Dr. Pimple Popper Required
Utah’s Breakout Star Is an AI App That Writes Acne Prescriptions — No Dr. Pimple Popper Required Tue, October 6, 2026 at 9:45 AM EDT Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. Starting this week, Utahns can get an acne prescription without ever seeing a doctor. It's the first time a state has let AI stand in for a real-life physician, Bloomberg reports.
Her Late Mom Made Her This Toast Every Day. Now Customers Line Up Around the Block for It.
After a wildfire took her home and her mom passed away from cancer, Ally Walsh found comfort serving this snack at her Canyon Coffee cafe. Ally Walsh eats the same snack every day. Thick bread, almond butter, a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Her mom used to make it for her. Now it's one of the items customers line up for at Canyon Coffee, the roaster and cafe business she co-founded with Casey Wojtalewicz in 2016. Getting here wasn't easy.
Her Late Mom Made Her This Toast Every Day. Now Customers Line Up Around the Block for It.
Jon Small Tue, October 6, 2026 at 9:25 AM EDT 1 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google Ally Walsh co-founded Canyon Coffee in 2016 with Casey Wojtalewicz, and despite personal tragedies and challenges, the business has expanded to multiple locations in trendy neighborhoods like Echo Park and Prospect Heights.
Crumbl's sales are crumbling and the CEO says 'it's my fault'
Crumbl was hot out of the oven in the post-pandemic era, but a series of missteps has the cookie chain going stale. CEO Jason McGowan is owning it. “The buck stops with me,” he told franchisees last week, Restaurant Business reports. “It's my fault where we are today.” An internal document obtained by the outlet shows August sales were 70% lower than two years earlier . Placer.ai data shows foot traffic at Crumbl's more than 1,000 locations fell 32% year over year.
Crumbl's Sales Are Crumbling and the CEO Says ‘It's My Fault'
Stores are closing, franchise support staff members are being laid off and the cookie chain's dirty soda push fizzled. Crumbl was hot out of the oven in the post-pandemic era, but a series of missteps has the cookie chain going stale. CEO Jason McGowan is owning it. “The buck stops with me,” he told franchisees last week, Restaurant Business reports. “It's my fault where we are today.” An internal document obtained by the outlet shows August sales were 70% lower than two years earlier .
Crumbl’s Sales Are Crumbling and the CEO Says ‘It’s My Fault’
Lucia Buricelli | Bloomberg | Getty Images Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. Crumbl was hot out of the oven in the post-pandemic era, but a series of missteps has the cookie chain going stale. CEO Jason McGowan is owning it. "The buck stops with me," he told franchisees last week, Restaurant Business reports.
Who's the Genius Behind Meta's Hit AI App Muse? A Mulleted, Croc-Wearing MIT Dropout.
Alexandr Wang's Muse hit 5 million downloads faster than ChatGPT. Some Meta employees don't like the special treatment of his hires. Meta has a hit AI app, and a 29-year-old billionaire is getting the credit. The Meta Muse app , which performs multi-step tasks and runs actions in the background for users, passed 5 million U.S. downloads 22 days after its Sept. 8 launch, according to Mashable . And Meta's stock is up nearly 20% since Muse debuted.
Your car is spying on you. A new study shows just who it's telling your secrets to.
Add one more thing to the list of devices collecting data on you: your car. A new Northeastern University study conducted with Consumer Reports tested 21 vehicles from 19 brands, along with 30 companion apps. Every vehicle sent data to at least one third-party domain, and more than half contacted advertising , tracking or analytics companies. Seven apps transmitted identifying details like phone numbers, VINs and precise locations.
Want to Skip College for a Year to Learn AI? This Silicon Valley-Backed Academy Is Free and Comes With $55K in Perks.
A tuition-free San Francisco academy incubated by Andreessen Horowitz will train young builders and future founders in AI. Roughly 50 graduating high school seniors may soon be lining up for an AI-powered gap year — tuition-free. Andreessen Horowitz is leading a $42 million investment in the Horowitz Andreessen Academy, a for-profit San Francisco school the venture firm incubated . Backers also include Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke and Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan.
Your Car Is Spying on You. A New Study Shows Just Who It's Telling Your Secrets To.
Researchers found every car they tested sent data to outside companies, and many companion apps shared drivers' locations and VINs. Add one more thing to the list of devices collecting data on you: your car. A new Northeastern University study conducted with Consumer Reports tested 21 vehicles from 19 brands, along with 30 companion apps. Every vehicle sent data to at least one third-party domain, and more than half contacted advertising , tracking or analytics companies.
Pop-Tarts' boozy BuzzBallz cocktails fizzle out after a month — here's why Mars regrets the partnership
Pop goes that idea. Mars is pulling its Pop-Tarts BuzzBallz collab just a month after launch over concerns that the drinks could appeal to underage drinkers, Bloomberg reports The limited-edition cocktails came in Frosted S'mores and Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavors and packed 15% alcohol. But more than 30 public health groups urged Mars to end the deal.
Six Flags pulls the plug on the X2 roller coaster linked to 100+ brain injury claims: 'It's the right thing to do'
One of the world's most intense roller coasters has seen its last ride. Six Flags Magic Mountain in California is permanently closing X2 after a wave of lawsuits alleging it caused serious brain injuries, the Associated Press reports . “While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it's the right thing to do,” park president Brian Oerding said.
¿Te preocupa que los agentes de inteligencia artificial destruyan el mundo? Nvidia tiene software para eso
Luego de que una serie de agentes de IA “escaparon de su contención”, Nvidia quiere ayudar a las empresas a mantener a los suyos con la correa corta. Justo después de que Jensen Huang, CEO de Nvidia, le pidiera al mundo que dejara de preocuparse por un Skynet de la vida real , su empresa lanzó un software que, según afirma, evitará que los agentes de inteligencia artificial (IA) se descontrolen.
Pop-Tarts' Boozy BuzzBallz Cocktails Fizzle Out After a Month — Here's Why Mars ‘Regrets the Partnership'
Mars is pulling its BuzzBallz collaboration after critics said the boozy drinks could appeal to kids. Pop goes that idea. Mars is pulling its Pop-Tarts BuzzBallz collab just a month after launch over concerns that the drinks could appeal to underage drinkers, Bloomberg reports The limited-edition cocktails came in Frosted S'mores and Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavors and packed 15% alcohol. But more than 30 public health groups urged Mars to end the deal.
Why Larry Ellison spent $10 million buying up houses for his kids' tutors and staff
Billionaire Larry Ellison , 82, has a $173 million oceanfront compound in Manalapan, Florida. About 30 minutes away, he owns eight more homes. They're all for his family's staff, including tutors for some of the five young children he shares with his wife, Jolin. The purchase was shrouded in secrecy. In 2023, an LLC bought the houses in Palm Meadows Estates, a gated community in Boynton Beach, for almost $10 million, The Wall Street Journal report s.
Six Flags Pulls the Plug on the X2 Roller Coaster Linked to 100+ Brain Injury Claims: ‘It's the Right Thing to Do'
Magic Mountain is retiring the popular ride after a string of lawsuits, including a wrongful-death case that it just settled. One of the world's most intense roller coasters has seen its last ride. Six Flags Magic Mountain in California is permanently closing X2 after a wave of lawsuits alleging it caused serious brain injuries, the Associated Press reports .
Six Flags Pulls the Plug on the X2 Roller Coaster Linked to 100+ Brain Injury Claims: ‘It’s the Right Thing to Do’
Six Flags Pulls the Plug on the X2 Roller Coaster Linked to 100+ Brain Injury Claims: ‘It’s the Right Thing to Do’ Wed, September 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM EDT Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Diners Are Back in Restaurants, but Popeyes and Buffalo Wild Wings Still Want a Spot in Your Pantry
The Franchise 500 chains are rolling out Pringles and take-home biscuits even as restaurant spending rebounds. Here's the good news: Restaurant spending rose 3.3% year over year in July, according to Bank of America Institute , thanks to cooling menu inflation and rising wages. But that hasn't stopped some chains from forging ahead in the CPG space, FoodNavigator reports.
Why Larry Ellison Spent $10 Million Buying Up Houses for His Kids' Tutors and Staff
The Oracle billionaire bought eight houses near his Florida compound so his kids' tutors could live close — but not too close. Billionaire Larry Ellison , 82, has a $173 million oceanfront compound in Manalapan, Florida. About 30 minutes away, he owns eight more homes. They're all for his family's staff, including tutors for some of the five young children he shares with his wife, Jolin. The purchase was shrouded in secrecy.
Would You Take a $10,000 Check to Let a Data Center Into Your Backyard? This Town Isn’t Buying It.
Would You Take a $10,000 Check to Let a Data Center Into Your Backyard? This Town Isn’t Buying It. Tue, September 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Worried About AI Agents Destroying the World? Nvidia Has Software for That.
After a string of AI agents that “escaped containment,” Nvidia wants to help businesses keep theirs on a leash. No sooner did Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang tell the world to s top worrying about a real-life Skynet than his company rolled out software they say will keep AI agents from going rogue. On Monday, Nvidia launched its Open Agent Safety Platform, a set of tools that lets developers limit what AI agents can access and do, CNBC reported .
Worried About AI Agents Destroying the World? Nvidia Has Software for That.
Worried About AI Agents Destroying the World? Nvidia Has Software for That. Tue, 29 September 2026 at 1:45 pm UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. No sooner did Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang tell the world to stop worrying about a real-life Skynet than his company rolled out software they say will keep AI agents from going rogue.
Worried About AI Agents Destroying the World? Nvidia Has Software for That.
Entrepreneur Media LLC and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some products and services through the links below. No sooner did Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang tell the world to stop worrying about a real-life Skynet than his company rolled out software they say will keep AI agents from going rogue. On Monday, Nvidia launched its Open Agent Safety Platform, a set of tools that lets developers limit what AI agents can access and do, CNBC reported.
Burger King Is Rethinking AI Drive-Thrus: ‘Guests Don't Want to Talk to a Bot'
The fast food chain has found that forcing AI ordering in drive-thrus causes some customers to drive away. Burger King is learning that not every customer enjoys chatting with AI about their Whopper. The chain has tested AI voice ordering in drive-thrus for several years with partners including Google.
Gen Z Is Snatching Up Franchises — They Want to Own Rather Than Compete for Jobs That ‘Might Not Exist in 10 Years'
Franchise ownership among young people is up 163% since 2022. Gen Z is entering one of the toughest entry-level job markets in decades. But rather than jostle for scarce corporate roles, many are buying home-based service franchises, the kind you can run from your house and car. And 43% say they plan to start a business this year. Scott Abbott, CEO of Five Star Franchising , sees it firsthand. At Card My Yard , the company's yard-card rental brand, nearly half the owners are Gen Z or millennials.
Tire Shops Are Losing Workers Due to ‘Backbreaking' Labor. This Robot Can Swap a Full Set in Under 15 Minutes.
Tire shops can't hang on to workers, so San Francisco startup PitPro Automation installed its first robotic system. In the near future, a robot may be fixing your car ‘s flat tire. A San Francisco-based startup named PitPro Automation recently installed a tire-changing robot in a Calgary tire shop. The device features two cube-shaped robots that move along a track and use sensors and robotic arms to locate and store lug nuts. In all, the machine can complete a full tire-changing job in 15 minutes.
‘Shark Tank' Star Robert Herjavec Shares His Incredible Origin Story: Immigrated With Just $50, Didn't Speak English and Started in Business Working for Free
Robert Herjavec's father was jailed 22 times for refusing to join the Communist Party. Then the family fled with nothing. Robert Herjavec returns as an investor on ABC's new season of “Shark Tank” this month.
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