Consumer and retail news: 10 things you need to know today
1. Every Chipotle in the US will be closed for lunch Monday
All restaurants will be closed 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time, so the chain can have a company-wide food-safety meeting.
2. Taco Bell revealed its hyped new mystery item
The quesalupa is a fried flatbread that's stuffed with cheese. Inside it is filled with the usual chalupa fillings: meat, salad, and more cheese. It will be on sale for $2.99.
3. Panda Express celebrates Chinese New Year
Today, Panda Express is celebrating the Chinese New Year with free chicken egg rolls, Brand Eating has pointed out. It's also giving customers red envelopes, each with a coupon for future discounts.
4. This fast food chain is giving away 1 million free burgers
Jack in the Box is giving away 1 million free burgers. Customers can receive a coupon for a free burger by signing up on Jack in the Box's website. The promotion will run until February 15 or until all of the coupons are gone.
5. Coca-Cola has discovered an untapped market to save the soda business
Soda sales are slowing down in the US, and now Coca-Cola is looking to focus on Africa. Coke said in 2014 it would invest $17 billion in the continent from 2010 to 2020, a figure that tripled the amount spent in the previous decade.
6. An obscure outdoor brand blew its entire ad budget on one of the weirdest Super Bowl commercials
Marmot sells outdoor clothing and is a competitor to North Face and Patagonia. Its Super Bowl commercial featured a man and a marmot performing various activities, side-by-side. Mark Martin, president of the California-based brand, told the local Fox 2 station that the company spent an entire year's ad budget on the commercial.
7. Michael Kors has identified a huge weakness in its business
Despite strong gains in the overall business, Michael Kors said in a conference call that it saw a decline in North American mall traffic. Shoppers don't want to spend money on expensive apparel; they'd rather spend their money on electronics and restaurants.
8. Peyton Manning's first post-game handshake was with an unexpected pizza chain owner
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning sought out Papa John's owner and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
9. Jim Gaffigan is officially KFC's newest star of its polarizing Colonel Sanders ads
KFC hadn't used Colonel Sanders in advertising for 21 years before bringing him back in a new advertising campaign last May - and ever since, three comedians have adopted the role of the iconic Colonel. Gaffigan is the latest comedian to step into his shoes.
10. The 5 best ads and the 5 worst ads of Super Bowl 50
The price of a 30-second slot can cost millions, so it's important that companies get it right. Some brands did - and others didn't.