Latest news with #CheesecakeFactory
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Felisha Cooper accuses Blake Lively of racism and audition sabotage: 'South California wannabe'
Actress Felisha Cooper, known for her roles in 'The Bold and the Beautiful and Swedish Dicks', has made explosive claims about Blake Lively in a recent podcast interview. Cooper recounted being discovered by Blake's mother, Elaine Lively, while working as a waitress at a Cheesecake Factory in Los Angeles. Elaine reportedly told Cooper she had 'magic' in her eyes and offered to represent her—becoming her first manager. Cooper described the Lively family as warm and encouraging, especially sisters Lori and Robyn, who later became her acting coaches. But her experience with Blake herself, whom she referred to as 'Fake Lively,' was starkly different. Allegations of racism and cruelty The interview happened with journalist Kjersti Flaa and Cooper recalled a late-night visit from the Lively family to the restaurant, where she allegedly refused to acknowledge her and made a dismissive gesture that left Elaine visibly embarrassed. 'She's just f**king racist. South Carolina wannabe,' Cooper said. 'I've dealt with enough pageant wannabe girls growing up in North Carolina.' She also claimed that Blake's behavior caused emotional distress to her acting coaches, Elaine and Robyn right before a major audition for 'The Chronicles of Shannara,' a role opposite Austin Butler. Cooper said Blake's actions 'stressed them out so badly' that Robyn couldn't focus during the coaching session, despite Cooper having paid for it. Hollywood pressures and identity conflicts Cooper also shared that Elaine once tried to style her like Blake for a photoshoot, which made her uncomfortable. Though she appreciated Elaine's support, the moment underscored the industry's obsession with image and conformity. 'We're around the same height, and it was like the whole Hollywood thing,' Cooper said. 'She was never rude or mean, but it felt kind of uncomfortable.' Despite the fallout, Cooper expressed gratitude for Elaine's early belief in her talent, calling her 'sweet' and 'like a proud parent.' Felisha Cooper's raw revelations offer a rare glimpse into the complexities of Hollywood mentorship, family dynamics, and the emotional toll of industry gatekeeping. As of now, Blake Lively has not responded to any of the allegations. Whereas the podcast episode has already reached over 34,000 views, sparking intense debate online.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Forget Snack Wraps, McDonald's menu adds new premium burger
McDonald's does not want the Big Mac to be its premium burger. The chain has the most successful fast food burger of all time (sorry, Whopper), yet it endlessly wants to replace it. The Big Mac even has its own song: "Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun." Related: Cheesecake Factory faces truly disturbing charges Those may not be lyrics worthy of Taylor Swift (although her song about breaking up with Mayor McCheese is excellent), but how many burgers get a song? The Whopper and the Baconator don't have songs, yet their chains seem to accept them as their long-term premium offerings. McDonald's (MCD) , however, has repeatedly tried to big-time itself and add an even nicer Big Mac. The Arch Deluxe was the most epic of those failures. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The chain spent $300 million to market a burger that was somehow "for adults." That was sort of insulting to the rest of the menu, and as you might imagine, it did not work. In 2006 McDonald's also tried to market "Angus Burgers," replacing its normal beef with a slightly better product. That did not work either, as McDonald's fans never fully accepted it, and it lingered on the menu until 2013, but was never popular. Image source:Either McDonald's has tenacity or it's too dumb to learn from its mistakes. The chain keeps going back to the well trying to make premium happen, no matter how many times customers reject the ideas. "We've got the chicken strips, we're getting Snack Wraps, and now McDonald's is testing a burger that they think could be as iconic as the Big Mac - the Big Arch. This burger has expanded to additional countries in recent months (Canada, UK, and Portugal are three of them) and is a bigger burger than the Big Mac," the popular Snackolator Instagram page shared. Bigger has often proved better for fast-food chains, so McDonald's may be onto something. The Big Arch contains two beef patties, three pieces of white cheddar cheese, lettuce, pickles, a new Big Arch "tangy" sauce, both fresh and crispy onions, and a brioche bun. More Food News: Starbucks' huge new rival opens first US storesOldest LA restaurant permanently closing after 117 yearsMcDonald's menu brings back fan favorite nationwide "They've already rolled this out to more countries, and it was announced that this is planned for a U.S. release," according to Snackolator, who remains optimistic. "On one hand, if that sauce is good, this could be a great burger. On the other hand, I keep thinking of the Arch Deluxe because of the name." In Canada, the cost of the Big Arch with fries and a drink was about $9 US, just slightly more than a Big Mac meal in most markets. McDonald's has been working to improve its global cooperation. That has included launching a McDonald's global Restaurant Experience Team, designed to create products and processes for the entire world. "First, through the new integrated structure, we'll be able to execute faster, which means ideas can start showing up in our restaurants even sooner. We can achieve and scale cross functional product innovations like Best Burger, Big Arch, and McCrispy faster than ever before with menu, supply chain, operations, and Speedee Lab teams all in one place," CEO Chris Kempczinski said during the chain's first-quarter earnings call. Related: Burger King menu adds nostalgic drink after McDonald's backlash This new team won't just set up bigger burgers for global delivery. It will also help the company improve its global restaurant experience. "It also increases our ability to develop and scale tech innovation in new ways, such as Ready On Arrival, Internet of Things enabled restaurant equipment, and Google Cloud connectivity through the eyes of a restaurant general manager to ensure they're all working in coordination with each other," he added. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Indianapolis Star
30-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
The Cheesecake Factory adds new flavor and deals for National Cheesecake Day
The Cheesecake Factory is getting ready for National Cheesecake Day with a new summery flavor and half-off deal. The restaurant chain is launching Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle, featuring a peach cheesecake with peaches, on a vanilla crust and finished with raspberry sauce. National Cheesecake Day is observed annually on July 30. The chain will also offer any cheesecake slice for half off on that day to Cheesecake Rewards members dining in. For each sale of Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle sold through July 29, 2026, the company will donate 25 cents to Feeding America. The chain made waves earlier this year when it announced it was adding 23 new items to its already-extensive menu, while simultaneously removing 13 items. The items have been available since March at all The Cheesecake Factory locations and range from appetizers to cocktails to entrées. The company said at the time the new items were aimed to "bring even more variety" to the chain's famously, or infamously, large menu. The company told USA TODAY in March it historically has rolled out new menu items twice a year. Some of the 13 items removed from the menu include the Mushroom Burger, White Chicken Chili and Bistro Shrimp Pasta, among others. The new items include a Double Smash Cheeseburger, Chicken Shawarma and an Asian Cucumber Salad, among others. The chain said it has more than 250 items on its menu.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Cheesecake Factory unveils new drizzly flavor for National Cheesecake Day
The Cheesecake Factory continues to create new flavors. The restaurant chain revealed to USA TODAY it is launching a new flavor in honor of National Cheesecake Day. The flavor, called Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle, features a peach cheesecake with peaches, on a vanilla crust and finished with raspberry sauce, the company told USA TODAY. In addition, the chain is offering an "Any Slice, Half Price" deal on National Cheesecake Day, which is July 30. The offer is only valid on that one day for Cheesecake Rewards members dining in. The final part of the promotion features a charitable element. The company told USA TODAY that for each slice of Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle sold through July 29, 2026, it will donate 25 cents to Feeding America. The restaurant chain says it has donated nearly $7 million to Feeding America in the past through their featured cheesecake sales. Cheesecake Factory alters menu: How many items are actually on this menu? Cheesecake Factory cuts 13 items but adds 23 more Cheesecake Factory altered menu earlier this year The chain made waves earlier this year when it announced it was adding 23 new items to its already-extensive menu, while simultaneously removing 13 items. The items have been available since March at all Cheesecake Factory locations and range from appetizers to cocktails to entrées. The company said at the time the new items were aimed to "bring even more variety" to the chain's famously, or infamously, large menu. The company told USA TODAY in March it historically has rolled out new menu items twice a year. Some of the 13 items removed from the menu include the Mushroom Burger, White Chicken Chili and Bistro Shrimp Pasta, among others. The new items include a Double Smash Cheeseburger, Chicken Shawarma and an Asian Cucumber Salad, among others. The chain told USA TODAY in March it has over 250 items on its menu. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
What's On
18-06-2025
- Health
- What's On
Tasty guilt free desserts across Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Whether you're cutting back on sugar, going gluten-free, or just want to indulge without the crash, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have a growing list of dessert spots that prove healthy can still taste amazing. Here's where to treat yourself without the guilt with our curated list of tasty guilt free desserts. Cheesecake Factory Low-licious cheesecake with strawberries A guilt-free treat that checks every box; low-carb, no sugar added, and gluten-free. Their indulgent Low Carb Cheesecake is priced at Dhs35.50 without fresh strawberries (Dhs7 less), making it the perfect option for those watching their intake without compromising on taste. Creamy, rich, and satisfying, minus the sugar crash. Location: The Cheesecake Factory, Dubai Mall Operating hours: Mon to Thurs 10am to 12am and Fri to Sun 10am to 1am Contact: (0)4 419 0226, @cheesecakefactoryme Tawa Bakery Choco chunks & sea salt cookies Location: Tawa Bakery, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi Operating hours: Daily, 9am to 11pm Contact: (0)2 556 6900 @tawabakery Angel Cakes Tiramisu crepes cake A dreamy slice of dessert heaven priced at Dhs55, this layered creation features delicate crepes infused with light coffee cream and a luscious touch of salted caramel. It's rich, creamy, and just the right amount of indulgent, perfect for coffee and dessert lovers alike. Carrot with caramel cake A creative twist on the classic carrot cake priced at Dhs55 It's layered with spiced carrot cake, smooth caramel cream, and a salted caramel drizzle, finished with crunchy nuts for added texture. A comforting, nutty, and sweet delight. Location and Operating Hours: Dubai: Dubai Hills Park; daily 8am to 11pm Abu Dhabi: Al Has Mall; Sun to Thurs 10am to 10pm and Fri & Sat 10am to 12am Contact: ( 0)58 506 0433 @ ( 0)58 593 4553 @ So Free Organic Bakery Lazy Cake Whipped, fluffy, and creamy chocolate delight with a satisfying crunch in between priced at Dhs145. Made with 100% organic ingredients, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, goo-free, and lactose-free, with a nut-free option available too. Basically, it's guilt-free indulgence at its best. Brownies Chewy, gooey dream priced at Dhs195 (roughly 16 pieces) and just 140 calories per serving. Made with 100% organic ingredients, they're dairy-free, refined sugar-free, lactose-free, and GMO-free. Indulgent yet guilt-free, they're what we call love at first bite . Location and Operating Hours: Mon to Sat 7pm to 9pm and Sun 7am to 7pm Dubai: Cluster M, JLT Abu Dhabi: Kitchen Park, Al Reem Island Contact: ( 0)56 108 8782, @sofreeorganicbakery Veggie lovers, this one's for you! We've rounded up the most delicious vegetarian dishes across Dubai for you to try (click here) Images: Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
