Retired CEO That Led Wendy's To #2 Spot In US Fastfood Industry Returns To Take Lead Of Papa John's Pizza

Todd Penegor, the former CEO of Wendy's, has returned from a brief retirement to take on the CEO role at Papa John's. Penegor, who led Wendy's to significant success, including moving the brand to the #2 fast-food chain in the U.S. and a top-20 franchise globally, found himself drawn back to the restaurant industry. Citing his passion for the business and the opportunities within the franchisee community, Penegor has now taken the helm of Papa John's, eager to bring his experience and leadership to the pizza chain.

During his tenure at Wendy's, Penegor oversaw consistent revenue growth, international expansion, and innovative changes such as the introduction of breakfast items and a focus on fresh, never-frozen beef. Despite challenges like a major data breach in 2016 and the global COVID-19 pandemic, Wendy's stock nearly doubled under his leadership. Penegor's success was marked by a strong embrace of digital transformation, including mobile ordering and modernized restaurant designs, which positioned Wendy's as a formidable player in the fast-food industry.

Papa John's, founded by John Schnatter, has experienced both rapid growth and significant controversy. After Schnatter's departure due to public relations crises, including controversial remarks and a racial slur, the company has embarked on a rebranding and strategic overhaul. With the "Back to Better 2.0" initiative, Papa John's is focusing on data-driven growth, international expansion, and increased support for franchisees. Penegor's appointment as CEO signals a pivotal moment for the company as it seeks to distance itself from its tumultuous past and drive future success. (Full story)

New York City's soaring rent prices have driven many residents to seek alternative living arrangements, with some, like a mother who moved into a tent to cut costs, highlighting the extreme measures taken to afford living in the city. Among the solutions gaining traction, particularly with Millennials and Gen Z, is co-living, where residents share spaces with numerous roommates to reduce expenses. Belgian-based co-living company Cohabs has capitalized on this trend, offering rooms in fully furnished, amenity-rich apartments in Brooklyn and Manhattan for $1,600 to $2,200 a month. Despite the challenges of living with up to 30 people, the model appeals to young professionals like 23-year-old pilot Christa Guidry, who values the community and convenience it offers. Cohabs' success in New York, where it manages 14 buildings, reflects a growing demand for affordable urban living solutions, even as the city's housing market remains fiercely competitive. (Full story)

CrowdStrike's President, Michael Sentonas, recently accepted the "Most Epic Fail" award at the DEF CON cybersecurity conference, acknowledging a significant error where a faulty security update caused one of the largest IT outages in history. This July 2024 incident affected over 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices, leading to widespread disruptions, including delayed flights, impacted banking services, and postponed surgeries, with financial damages estimated at $5.4 billion. Sentonas's decision to accept the award in person highlighted his commitment to leadership accountability, using the failure as a learning opportunity to emphasize transparency and continuous improvement within the organization. (Full story)

Despite earning a combined $200,000 annually, Natalie Fischer and her partner, both tech professionals in Seattle, found themselves struggling to maintain a middle-class lifestyle. Their story, which went viral on social media, highlights the financial pressures even well-off households face in today's economy. Despite cutting back on luxuries like gym memberships and dining out, the couple still found it challenging to save and manage their expenses. Their experience underscores the evolving definition of middle-class status in the U.S., where rising living costs are outpacing income growth, making it increasingly difficult for many to achieve financial stability. (Full story)

In the face of rising living costs in the UK, many are turning to side hustles for financial stability, with 43% of Britons now engaged in some form of extra work. Lisa Ebsworth, a 43-year-old from the UK, exemplifies the potential of side gigs, having paid off her car and student loans within a year and now aiming to be mortgage-free in two years. Ebsworth's success comes from diverse side hustles, including secret shopping, surveys, and monetizing content on TikTok, where she has amassed over 50,000 followers. Her journey underscores the growing importance of side hustles as a means to achieve financial independence amidst economic challenges. (Full story)