Nov 19, 2024

Private equity’s appetite for restaurants

Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Plus, an alternative fuel CEO on how Trump's second term could influence the clean energy business and we take a self-driving taxi for a spin in China.

Segments From this episode

Homebuilders remain confident despite uncertainty

by Matt Levin

Nov 19, 2024

The National Association of Homebuilders reported its third straight month of improvement in its homebuilder confidence index, even though permits for new housing construction were down nearly 8% year over year.

Homebuilder Justin Wood has saved money on loans when the Fed cut interest rates. But he's also had to spend on incentives for clients wary of rising mortgage rates.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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Why restaurants are on the private equity menu

by Kristin Schwab

Nov 19, 2024

Blackstone buys a majority stake in sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s. Fast-casual is a growing segment of the enormous but risky restaurant trade.

Blackstone has acquired majority ownership of Jersey Mike’s, a sandwich chain with about 3,000 locations.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Central banks are worried about inflation flaring up again

by Henry Epp

Nov 19, 2024

Conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, potential trade wars and climate disasters have monetary policymakers around the globe on edge.

Ongoing real wars and potential trade wars are among the conditions that have monetary officials on edge in several countries.

Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Trump's Second Term

This renewable energy CEO expects growth in Trump’s 2nd term

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Nov 19, 2024

“I am feeling ready to be surprised,” said Gene Gebolys of World Energy, an alternative fuels provider.

At Gene Gebolys' company World Energy, yellowish beef tallow is used to make sustainable aviation fuel.

Maria Hollenhorst/Marketplace

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How advanced are China's self-driving taxis?

by Jennifer Pak

Nov 19, 2024

China is speeding up permission to test autonomous vehicles. The most advanced pilot projects are in Beijing and Wuhan.

Pony.ai's self-driving taxi makes its way down a Beijing road. Sixteen Chinese cities are piloting autonomous taxis.

Charles Zhang/Marketplace

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Device makers turned off buttons, but now they're back

by Sarah Leeson

Nov 19, 2024

Move aside, touchscreens and digital controls. Buttons, dials and knobs have returned to electronics.

Buttons create an interface that provides "that feeling of agency and control," says button expert Rachel Plotnick.

Frederic J. Brown / AFP

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Music from the episode

Pacific Theme Broken Social Scene

Chevalier Bulltoe Totorro

Impossible Worlds Todd Baker

Pretty Pimpin Kurt Vile

Light Cycle Yppah

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Associate Producer I

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

Nicholas Guiang Assistant Producer

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