Bitcoin News Australia

For years, the biggest decision when choosing a pretzel was rod vs. rolled.

But thanks to a recent wave of innovation, pretzels are one of the hottest and most inventive categories in snacks — pulling in $1.7B in the year ending Aug. 7, up 16% YoY, per Food Dive.

What’s behind the pretzel renaissance?

Previously considered a “sleepy” category, pretzels are having a moment similar to craft beer and specialty coffee due to a combination of factors:

• A lack of innovation in the space led to an influx of upstarts introducing new, higher-margin options.
• The rise of online shopping made it possible for consumers to find new brands beyond the old staples dominating the snack aisle.
• Interest in health and wellness led consumers to choose pretzels over other snacks for their lower salt and sugar content.

The biggest players in the snack world are paying attention, and ponying up — last year Hershey’s bought Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels and Pretzels Inc. for a combined $1.2B.

What’s next?

Industry experts expect pretzel innovation to continue, with new brands continuing to push the boundaries of flavor and format.

• This could also lead to more acquisitions from industry incumbents looking to diversify their pretzel portfolio.

While new flavors are pushing the limits, nothing will beat the sheer bliss of devouring an Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar pretzel while roaming the corridors of your local mall.

By any metric, Netflix’s Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion, did fantastic at the box office this past week.

So well, in fact, the obvious question now is: Why the heck did Netflix put the movie in just ~700 theaters — and only for one week?

The numbers

Netflix grabbed the rights to Knives Out for $469m after the 2019 movie pulled in ~$165m domestically and ~$313m globally. That movie, which played in 3.4k+ theaters, notched a $41.4m Thanksgiving opening.

For Glass Onion, Netflix chose to put the movie in ~700 theaters for one week, and release it on Netflix on Dec. 23.

• In its five-day Thanksgiving opening, Glass Onion pulled in $13.3m+. In the same period, Disney’s Strange World earned $18.9m — across 4.1k+ theaters.

If I’m Netflix, here’s what I’m wondering: Would my users be upset if I made my movies available in theaters for longer? And is it OK to risk minimal subscriber churn if it means bringing in tens of millions of more dollars?

Yes, the price of gas pains us all.

But the truth is: selling fuel hardly nets a profit. Those margins are so gross that succeeding as a gas station kinda seems impossible…

… until you consider the true moneymaker: that shabby, little shop.

On this episode of “Hustlenomics”:

• Never knock the hot dog roller again
• The reservoir-to-pump price division
• How gas stations are staying relevant

But first — guess what percentage of people step inside for bottled drinks and sus sushi.

There’s apparently no hotter accessory than an “I voted” sticker.

Tinder dropped its “Year in Swipe” this week, revealing an interest in political engagement among its users:

• 47% of surveyed singles said not voting is a deal breaker; 53% said regular voting makes a match more attractive
• 75% want a match who’s “respectful of or invested in social issues”
• Activism in Tinder bios increased 84% in 2022

Why now?

A lot happened this year. The war in Ukraine pushed the nation’s flag among Tinder’s top 10 emoji used in bios, as users flocked to show support.

Tinder also launched an in-app “Election Center” ahead of the US midterms to encourage voting, while users cited hot-button issues — including abortion rights and gun control — as driving them to the polls.

For example: A survey from Tinder parent Match found that 78% of singles intended to change their dating behaviors due to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, while ~66% of women said they wouldn’t date someone with differing views on abortion access.

But it’s not all politics

Singles were also into nostalgia, activity dates such as minigolf or drive-in movies, drinking less, and adding star signs to bios.

Also? The “situationship.” The term — which defines a romantic situation somewhere between a casual fling and a formal, committed relationship — was up 49% in Tinder bios.

☄️ On this day: In 1954, Ann Hodges of Alabama was awoken by an 8.5-pound meteorite that hit her in the hip. A court battle later ensued over who owned the space rock.

🕰️ That’s interesting: What’s the leap second? And why will it end in 2035?

📺 That’s cool: This YouTube channel lets you watch TV pilots that never aired.

⚔️ Cure boredom: An RPG you can play for free in your browser.

🐇 Aww: And now, bunny ASMR.