
Inside the Grindr CEO's ‘hardcore' vision for the LGBTQ dating app's future
It's been a rough stretch for dating apps. Match Group, which owns Tinder and Hinge, among others, commands roughly 42% of the dating services industry, according to market research firm IBISWorld. But its earnings—which stood at $551 million in 2024—have been steadily declining since 2022, even amid modest revenue gains. As of February, Match had replaced its CEO twice in the past three years, and activist investors have been pushing it to reverse declines in usage, particularly among Gen Z.
Grindr, meanwhile, continues to grow after going public in 2022. The company increased revenue 33% last year, to $345 million, and boosted monthly average users 7% to reach 14.2 million people, with more than 1 million of them paying. Investors have been pleased: At press time, Grindr stock was up 70% over the past year.

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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
3 ChatGPT Prompts To Launch A $2,000/Month Side Hustle
More people than ever are turning to AI not just to save time, but to make money. Whether you're a student, stay-at-home parent, or entrepreneur between launches, AI tools like ChatGPT can be more than assistants. They can be side-hustle partners. The key? Knowing how to ask the right questions. The side hustle economy has become a significant economic force. According to Side Hustle Nation, around 27-40% of working Americans currently have a side hustle, with participation exceptionally high among Gen Z (up to 48%) and millennials (44-50%). For many, AI tools are becoming essential for scaling these income streams beyond traditional hourly limits. Here are three specific ChatGPT prompts you can use to kickstart income streams that can realistically bring in $2,000 or more per month—with hustle, consistency, and a value-driven approach. ChatGPT Prompt 1: Turn Your Knowledge Into a Paid Digital Product Prompt to use: "Act as a business coach. Ask me 10 questions to help me identify the kind of digital product I could create based on my [insert: skills, hobbies, or experiences] Why it works: Digital products—like ebooks, templates, online courses, or workbooks—require upfront effort but can become low-maintenance sources of income. The secret isn't being a top-tier expert. It's knowing just a little more than your ideal buyer and solving a specific problem for them. The digital education market continues to grow as more people seek online learning opportunities. Course creators and digital product sellers who target specific niches often find success even without massive audiences. You don't need fancy software or a giant following. Teen entrepreneurs at WIT - Whatever It Takes, which I launched in 2009, have launched simple Notion templates, Canva toolkits, and even $15 guides—earning consistent sales by targeting niche audiences. Pro tip: Once the product is made, ask ChatGPT for Instagram Reel scripts, email sequences, and SEO blog ideas to promote it. ChatGPT Prompt 2: Build a Niche Freelance Offer With AI's Help Prompt to use: "I want to start a freelance side hustle using ChatGPT to help me deliver faster, better results. Recommend 5 freelance services that combine my [skills: e.g., writing, research, social media] with ChatGPT's capabilities. For the best one, walk me through a 4-step service delivery process and write a client pitch." Why it works: This approach allows for faster project completion without compromising quality. You could develop comprehensive social media strategies that combine human creativity with AI research, create professional resumes that blend personal insight with optimized formatting, or produce well-researched content that merges subject matter expertise with AI-assisted organization. For those developing their skills, AI serves as a learning accelerator. Pro tip: Ask ChatGPT to generate a complete client onboarding workflow, email scripts, and even your Fiverr/Upwork profile bio. ChatGPT Prompt 3: Launch a Local or Virtual Microservice Business Prompt to use: "Help me design a local or virtual microservice business that solves a specific problem for a niche audience. I'm looking for ideas that require a low startup cost and allow me to earn at least $2,000/month. Then give me a one-page business plan and 10 ways to find my first clients." Why it works: The internet loves scale, but the fastest way to start earning is often through local efforts. Small businesses across America struggle with digital organization, social media management, and basic tech needs. This creates opportunities for service providers who can bridge the technology gap. Think: pet waste removal, online tutoring, home organization, birthday party planning, or even "digital decluttering." You can offer these services in-person or virtually—and AI can help you brand, script, and market the business in a day. A WIT teen entrepreneur launched a virtual "tech organizing" service for overwhelmed parents, earning $600 in her first week by offering one-on-one Zoom sessions to clean up desktop files, Google Drive folders, and iPhone photo chaos—with the help of ChatGPT, which assisted her in scripting every step. Pro tip: Use AI to automate your booking emails, service FAQs, and social media captions. How to Hit the $2,000/Month Using ChatGPT These prompts are not a magic money machine, but each one is a shortcut to something powerful: a clear path, a repeatable service, and momentum. Here's how to stack your success: Start small, then scale – Sell one digital product. Take on two freelance clients. Serve three local customers. Don't wait to be "ready"—start. Use AI as your creative partner – Not your crutch. You bring the voice, the vibe, the vision. Let ChatGPT handle structure, polish, and suggestions. Rinse and repeat what works – If one template sells, make three more. If a service gets referrals, double your availability. Consistency is where the income grows. Track your time and value – Aim to earn at least $25–$50/hour on tasks. ChatGPT can help you increase your speed without lowering your standards. The $2,000/Month Mindset The side hustle economy represents both opportunity and necessity for many Americans. According to a Fox Business report, 61% of Americans with a side hustle in 2024 reported that they could not afford their lifestyle without their side hustle. However, motivations are shifting as economic conditions improve, with a growing share pursuing discretionary goals rather than survival needs. Don't get distracted by overnight success stories or six-figure clickbait. Focus on what $2,000/month can do for you. Pay off a credit card. Cover rent. Provide savings for school expenses. Fund your next big idea. With the right ChatGPT prompts, AI won't just save you time—it'll give you leverage. And that might be the most valuable side hustle of all.


CNBC
7 hours ago
- CNBC
Restaurants are adding dozens of new spicy menu items in a bid for younger diners
Restaurant brands are hoping hot new menu items will drive visits among younger costumers. Hot, in this case, is literal. Spicy items like chicken sandwiches, seasoned sides and sauces are cropping up more often on menus at major fast-casual and quick-service chains. The idea is to introduce easy-to-execute and buzzy options that can capture the attentions of Gen Z and Gen Alpha diners, even if it's only a flash in the pan. One of those companies was Chipotle, which in June introduced Adobo Ranch, its first new dip in five years, as a limited-time offer. "From an operations perspective, the sauce is a lot easier to do than bringing in another LTO or another protein. And you get a lot of the same benefit," Chris Brandt, Chipotle's president and chief brand officer, told CNBC. The draw toward spice is yet another way restaurants are responding to slower consumer spending while trying to keep costs in check. A KPMG Consumer Pulse survey found that U.S. consumers plan to spend 7% less per month at restaurants this summer. "There's been a pullback, especially from lower-income consumers," said Gregory Francfort, lead restaurant analyst at Guggenheim Securities. "Spice is a low-cost, high-return way to re-engage them." "Restaurants are really trying to be aggressive with their marketing calendars and releasing new products now," Francfort said. From March to June, U.S. restaurant chains collectively launched 76 new spicy menu items, representing roughly 5% of new menu items, according to market research firm Datassential. That includes permanent additions and limited-time offers and is roughly in line with historical menu item additions in the category over the last several years. Around 95% of restaurants now offer at least one spicy item on their menu, according to Datassential. Though the concept of spice on menus isn't new, it appears to be catching fire with Generation Z and Generation Alpha — those roughly under the age of 30. Their preference for bold, spicy flavors is inspiring more restaurants to turn up the heat. Up to 50% of Gen Z consumers eat at least one spicy meal a week, according to data from soda brand Sprite, which has been playing up its tangy flavor profile. "Younger generations (Gen Z, for example) are fueling the spicy trend, craving bolder, more adventurous flavors," a Wendy's spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC. "They're not looking for bland or predictable," said Cava's chief concept officer and co-founder, Ted Xenohristos. "They want strong flavors." In April, Cava launched Hot Harissa Pita Chips to meet the rising demand. The chain also offers the Harissa Avocado bowl, harissa vinaigrette, and harissa honey chicken. In May, Taco Bell launched the Mike's Hot Honey Diablo Sauce, a collaboration between Mike's Hot Honey and the taco chain's signature Diablo sauce. It followed a February launch of the Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu, building off the fan-favorite cantina chicken. In June, Wendy's released the Takis Fuego Meal, a collaboration with the spicy rolled tortilla chip snack, which includes the chain's signature spicy chicken sandwich and Takis-flavored fries. There's one challenge in introducing spicy items: Gen Z and Gen Alpha tend to move on from trends quickly. That makes it harder for restaurants to rely on one popular item for long. Recent flash points like sweet and spicy and Nashville Hot are already seeing a drop in interest among Gen Z, according to Datassential. Instead, new flavor profiles with global ties are seeing stronger engagement among younger consumers, the firm found. Spicy menu items have gained traction primarily through social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become key discovery tools for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Restaurants are using these platforms to promote limited-time offers and influencer content, including taste tests and reaction videos. Short-form content can create urgency and encourage trial. "Spicy food consistently performs well," Tommy Winkler, a TikTok food influencer, told CNBC. "It is essentially the new billboard. It is a good chance that someone will end up ordering it." In June, the word "spicy" was mentioned over 40,000 times online, according to Datassential. The data showed spikes in those mentions around the time new spicy items started to trend. This month, Coca-Cola-owned Sprite launched a campaign called "Hurts Real Good" to tap into the spicy food movement. The brand is positioning the soda as a pairing for spicy foods and is partnering with McDonald's, Takis and Buldak Fried Noodles. The campaign includes a TikTok filter and other social media activations. Oana Vlad, global vice president for Sprite, highlighted other eye-catching events like mukbangs — live-streamed broadcasts of hosts eating large amounts of food — or spicy noodle challenges as helping to bring spicy food into online culture. "At Sprite, we always try to be inspired by consumer-first insights and then deliver something of value for a behavior that already exists," Vlad told CNBC. As of late April, the lemon-lime beverage ranked as the third most-popular carbonated soft drink by volume share, according to Beverage Digest. McDonald's fountain Sprite went viral a few years ago as social media users posted videos calling the taste "sharp" and filming their reactions to trying it. "A huge portion of Gen Z try their first Sprite at McDonald's," Vlad said. "You can see fans describing Sprite at McDonald's as a flash of lightning or electric." The diversity of younger generations is also helping to steer them toward flavors with depth, texture and regional identity. Chili Crisp, used in traditional Chinese cooking; Nam Phrik, originating in Thailand; and Piri Piri, commonly associated with Portuguese and African cuisines, are increasingly showing up on U.S. menus, according to Datassential. "As the population gets more diverse and as younger consumers want to experiment more, we see a greater willingness to try new flavor profiles," Sara Senatore, managing director and senior restaurants analyst at Bank of America, told CNBC.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Citizens JMP Raised the Firm's PT on Grindr Inc (GRND), Kept an Outperform Rating
Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND) is one of the Best Tech Stocks to Buy Under $20. On June 30, Nicholas Jones CFA from Citizens JMP raised the firm's price target on Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND) from $24 to $27, while keeping an Outperform rating on the stock. The analyst noted that the company is in a strong position to monetize its large gay social network globally, highlighting the travel and local networks of the company as contributing factors to its worldwide reach. In addition, Jones also noted that Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND) has the room to customize its product locally to boost user engagement, thereby he sees the company continuing strong growth while keeping a healthy margin above 40%. A young queer person looking up at a giant LGBTQ flag, celebrating visibility and inclusion. Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND) operates Grindr, a global social networking and dating platform primarily serving gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer adults. While we acknowledge the potential of GRND as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data