Food trucks in the U.S. have taken many forms, but have long been a popular option for dining. Now as the coronavirus pandemic alters the way we interact and engage with others, these kitchens on wheels may have a new function, especially on college campuses.
Rod Keller, CEO of the electric vehicle manufacturer AYRO is jumping at the opportunity to capitalize on the niche industry in a partnership with Gallery Carts. The new collaboration will combine AYRO's expertise in developing electric vehicles with Gallery's expertise in creating food delivery vehicles.
"Colleges are faced with, 'Well how do we provide food and beverage while at the same time, avoiding the mass crowds that you would typically see inside of a cafeteria?'" Keller told Cheddar.
So far, more than $500,000 has been poured into the collaboration as orders for the vehicles continue to amass. Keller said he's confident that as universities and other large campuses seek safer ways to feed their communities amid the pandemic, the need for their services will grow.
AYRO is also banking on buyers in higher education considering the long-term savings electric vehicles can provide. Keller said its electric vehicles save fleet operators at least 50 percent on fuel and energy costs.
"When people are moving cargo from one side of a university to another, or business campus, or hotel and resort, you don't need a full-sized truck with 400 miles of range running on gasoline to do that," Keller said.
The CEO at Activision Blizzard Bobby Kotick apologized to employees after the company had been rocked by the public airing of sexual harassment claims that went unchecked. Kotick also asked that his compensation of more than $150 million be slashed to just over $62,000.
Cheddar's Ken Buffa took the Pixel 6 Pro for a test drive, highlighting some of the new features. The latest Google smartphone comes with an upgraded camera visor that holds three cameras in place as well as Gorilla Glass Victus covering the front and back protecting against drops and scratches. The device also contains Google's first homemade processor chip called Tensor and retails for about $899.
Overstock CEO Jonathan Johnson joined Cheddar's "Opening Bell" to talk about the company's Q3 earnings beat. While supply chain issues have plagued businesses across industries, Johnson noted that the company largely avoided constraints by not pressuring suppliers to fill Overstock's own distribution centers, encouraging them to use their own. "We have a higher in-stock percentage today than we did a year ago. Not quite as high as we did pre-pandemic but better than it was last year at this time," he said.
Google notified a number of small and medium-sized customers that potential antitrust bills could have negative impacts on their own businesses. The warning appears to be an effort to drum up enough opposition to give pause to lawmakers before enacting any such legislation.
Anthony Bartolacci, VP of financials of data Sensor Tower, joined Cheddar to talk about Robinhood's massive earnings miss. He attributed part of it to the platform's exposure to cryptocurrency and its lackluster performance in Q3 following volatility. Bartolacci also noted some headwinds from a drop in engagement on the platform due to people returning to work and having less time to day trade contributing to the miss.
Pharmaceutical company Merck has announced that it will share the formula of its COVID-19 pill with poor countries free of charge. The company still intends to charge wealthier nations leaving the end cost at more than $700 per five-day treatment course.
Dems race for a deal on President Biden's economic agenda ahead of his big foreign trip. What to make of the latest threat assessment in Afghanistan. Plus, the meme cryptocurrency of the moment that's now worth more than many Fortune 500 companies.
