Axios

Fast-casual restaurants are slumping as consumers look to save money by eating elsewhere.

Why it matters: People are facing higher costs and concerns about their job security, prompting them to look for savings in their discretionary budget.

Americans "fall back" early Sunday — gaining an hour of sleep as Congress stays gridlocked over daylight saving time.

Why it matters: The latest push to make daylight saving time permanent collapsed earlier this week after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) blocked Sen. Rick Scott's (R-Fla.) Sunshine Protection Act — despite support from President Trump.

Five of the Magnificent 7 reported earnings this week, and all but Meta had a positive stock move afterward, with Amazon hitting a record high.

Why it matters: The results, and the market's response, capture the debate now taking place on Wall Street over the AI rally: How much return can the tech giants get on their biggest bet ever.

The U.S. Mint has stopped making pennies and the fallout is already hitting cash registers, as stores run short on change.

Why it matters: Roughly 250 billion pennies are still out there — though the American Bankers Association says the issue isn't supply, but circulation, with many coins collecting dust in jars.

This year's holiday season will spotlight America's growing economic divide.

Why it matters: Bank of America's and Visa's holiday spending reports show wealthier households are driving retail growth, while lower- and middle-income consumers are stretching to keep up.

It's not enough to talk about AI in general on earnings calls anymore. OpenAI in particular is the new buzzword, with 31 mentions on major corporate earnings transcripts so far this quarter, per an analysis by AlphaSense.

Why it matters: It signifies OpenAI's growing dominance over not just the AI ecosystem, but the market as a whole.

Smart homes could be on their way out the door.

The big picture: "People are creating 'dumb homes,'" Beth McGroarty, vice president of research at the Global Wellness Institute, tells Axios.

The Botox gap between millennials and Gen X is shrinking, according to Qsight data shared with Axios.

Why it matters: Botox appointments are becoming about as mainstream as hair appointments.

SNAP benefit payments for November 2025 might be back on schedule despite the shutdown.

The big picture: Millions of people expected to see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) delayed for November due to the government shutdown. But a judge's ruling Friday might have changed that.