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.
Everyone is searching for that social media moment, whether it’s filming a viral dance for TikTok or snapping a selfie for your Instagram Story. Cheddar News explores the activities made for the online world, including streaming companies creating real-life experiences to entice you to stay subscribed, TikTok taking the stage with its first theatrical production, and how one immersive experience made out of candy encourages you to revisit your childhood.
Join Cheddar News as we break down the top headlines for Thursday, May 26 including updates on the Texas school shooting, President Joe Biden's executive order on police reform, and a recount in the Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary.
Markets opened lower Wednesday morning as investors await meeting minutes from the Federal Reserve. Bill Stone, Chief Investment Officer at The Glenview Trust Company joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
Pepsi’s 10-year contract with the NFL to sponsor the Super Bowl Half Time Show has come to an end and the rights are now up for grabs, leaving football fans to wonder what competitor or a wild card will jump in to take the food and beverage giant's place. However, PepsiCo will still have pour rights at all of the NFL major events.
CEO Anthony Zhang of Vinovest, a platform for investing in bottles of fine wine, joined Cheddar News to discuss how his company is bringing this unique opportunity to investors. “Just to be clear, these aren't the typical bottles of wine that you're finding at your local grocery store or Trader Joe's," he said. "These are really considered bottles that are collectible, age-worthy, and have a track regular of appreciating over time on the secondary market.”
Judith Enck, a former regional administrator for the EPA and the president of Beyond Plastics, joined Cheddar News to talk about the role of plastics in the climate crisis and California's investigation of ExxonMobil and other oil companies for misleading the public on the ability to recycle plastics. "The reason why petrochemical companies like Exxon have gotten away with selling more and more plastic is that they've lied to the public and told us don't worry about all those negative upstream impacts and downstream impacts of plastics. Just be sure to recycle it. Well, guess what? Plastics largely are not recycled," Enck said.
Apple warned of a potential $8 billion future sales hit due to supply issues, but Dan Ives, the managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities, noted that the record quarterly report the tech giant posted shows demand remains high for Apple products and services. Ives joined Cheddar to explain why investors should look past the warning. "In these types of markets where many are yelling fire in a crowded theater, you look at the demand trends because that continues to be the focus for Apple," he said "I think you combine that with the services. I view it as a defensive name. It's a Rock of Gibraltar stock in a Category 5 storm as well as also an offensive play as I believe we start to move out of some of these just brutal headwinds that we've been seeing in the market once the Fed rips the band-aid off."
Neutral Foods is touting itself as the first carbon-neutral food producer starting with its cow's milk. Neutral Foods CEO Marcus Lovell Smith and founder of Darco Capital David Adelman joined Cheddar News to talk about their efforts in trying to address the climate anxiety being felt by many American consumers who still buy dairy. "You know, 93 percent of American households still have milk in the refrigerator, normal, ordinary milk. So we're meeting Americans where they are," said Smith.
