Latest news with #StartingFive
Business Insider
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Peyton Manning shares how he's winning in Hollywood by appealing to Middle America
Peyton Manning is becoming a Hollywood star, without becoming "Hollywood." When the Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion created Omaha Productions, making shows about sports was a given. But Manning's TV company is now diversifying its slate away from the field. "I like history. I love country music. I have great appreciation for the military," Manning said in a recent interview with Business Insider. "And so we've tried to do things that at least have some sort of authentic connection to that." Manning founded his TV production firm in 2020 with former Fox Sports executive Jamie Horowitz, and it's been a hit so far. Omaha was valued at over $750 million by an investment round this spring spearheaded by former Endeavor executive Patrick Whitesell. Manning's company has also secured a first-look deal with Disney's 20th Television after creating the buzzy "ManningCast" starring Peyton and his brother Eli, as well as a slew of sports docuseries for Netflix: "Quarterback," "Receiver," and "Starting Five." Manning told BI that there's no one-size-fits-all definition of an Omaha show. But there are a few common threads: shows that are "uplifting and unifying" and related to Manning's personal interests. Omaha produced the Country Music Awards last November and has also produced series for the History Channel, like "Beyond the Battlefield" and "The Mega-Brands That Built America." Manning said Omaha tries to make its slate family-friendly. Omaha's niche: Sports, history, country music Omaha is an apt name for Manning's production company. Football fans will recognize it as a callback to the callout signal Manning often gave as the quarterback of the Denver Broncos. But although Omaha isn't necessarily a reference to the Nebraska city, the company has strong Midwest sensibilities. The topics Manning has an affinity for — sports, business, country music, history, and the military — have clear appeal in Middle America. That said, the former Colts and Broncos star has always kept his personal politics to himself, and Omaha is trying to stay far away from politics and the culture wars. Omaha is also staying away from gritty subjects like crime, even though Manning said he personally loves "The Sopranos" and "Goodfellas." (Their military-themed show was about the history of the Marines and Army and how soldiers train, not an intense wartime drama like HBO's "Band of Brothers.") The Middle America appeal aligns with Manning's roots. He grew up in Louisiana, played college football at Tennessee, and spent most of his career in Indianapolis. Omaha isn't the only TV outfit finding success in this lane. Taylor Sheridan has made a slew of popular shows, kicked off by Paramount's "Yellowstone." Amazon Prime Video has also invested heavily in so-called "dad TV" with "Reacher" and "Jack Ryan," plus faith-based shows like "House of David," based on King David in the Bible. From signal caller to shot-caller While Omaha has momentum, Manning said starting a production company came with a steep learning curve — plus inevitable incompletions when pitching to streamers and networks. "We've heard 'no' plenty," Manning said. "It doesn't mean it's not a good idea. All it takes is one to like you." Manning said he's enjoyed being a producer even more than being in front of the camera. "I'm the offensive coordinator in the press box," Manning said. "I never really had been a part of anything like that, where I didn't sort of have to play quarterback." Manning said he's looking forward to the next season of "Quarterback," which debuts on Netflix in July and features the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, the Detroit Lions' Jared Goff, and the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins. Manning noted that the first-look deal with 20th Television won't impact preexisting deals with streamers like Netflix. The Omaha project that Manning is anticipating the most is "Chad Powers," a coming Hulu show that stars Glen Powell as a former standout quarterback who tries to resurrect his career by going undercover as a walk-on. The idea for the show came from an Omaha Productions sketch that Eli Manning did back in 2022. "Eli's in a horrible wig, he's got a horrible accent, he talks about being homeschooled and coached by his mom, he has these little catchphrases," Manning said. "And next thing you know, maybe one of the biggest movie stars in the world is doing a show about that." The Apple TV+ show "Ted Lasso" also began as a skit and became a smash hit. Manning hopes "Chad Powers" follows suit.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks unveils generative AI assistant to support baristas
Starbucks has announced the launch of Green Dot Assist, a generative AI-powered virtual assistant designed to support baristas in real-time. The solution allows partners to ask questions on in-store iPads verbally or via the keyboard and obtain conversational and instant replies, streamlining access to information needed during work. Green Dot Assist offers guidance on drink ingredients, equipment troubleshooting and staffing issues. Starbucks is piloting the AI assistant in 35 coffeehouses, with more to follow. Its launch is a step forward in the chain's focus on decreasing friction, streamlining operations and providing time for partners to prepare beverages and connect with clients. The coffee giant showcased the technology to more than 14,000 North American store managers at its Leadership Experience in Las Vegas. A broad launch is planned across Canada and the US by the chain's fiscal year 2026. Starbucks chief technology officer Deb Hall Lefevre was quoted by CNBC: 'It's just another example of how innovation technology is coming into service of our partners and making sure that we're doing all we can to simplify the operations, make their jobs just a little bit easier, maybe a little bit more fun, so that they can do what they do best.' In addition to Green Dot Assist, Starbucks is previewing its next-generation point-of-sale (POS) system, which aims to improve order accuracy, uptime [the time in which machinery is in operation] and partner workflow. The chain is testing pilot menu innovations via the Starting Five programme, in which select locations in the US trial new products. The introduction of the AI assistant follows a recent leadership reshuffle at Starbucks, with North America chief coffeehouse officer Mike Grams promoted to chief operating officer (COO). The chain has also unveiled a strategic price decrease for its tea-based beverages in its second-largest market, China. "Starbucks unveils generative AI assistant to support baristas" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Starbucks set to debut a new drink — packed with protein: ‘This thing is going to be a rocket'
Even Starbucks is hopping on the protein trend. If you've been on the internet in recent months, you've probably seen an increase in interest in protein-heavy food and drinks. Now, Starbucks is testing a new way to instantly add a whopping 15 grams of protein to nearly any beverage. The coffee giant is testing a protein cold foam at five locations in the US through its Starting Five program. It's part of CEO Brian Niccol's hopes to expand into the wellness category, the company announced during the Starbucks Leadership Experience in Las Vegas. 3 Starbucks is testing a protein cold foam at five locations in the US through its Starting Five program. Starbucks 'This thing is going to be a rocket,' Niccol said on stage in Las Vegas. 'It's on trend. It's delicious.' Niccol explained to Axios that the new innovation is geared toward a number of consumer groups, such as 20-year-old males, 50-year-old females and people taking GLP-1s. 'I was watching people coming to our stores, they would get three shots of espresso over ice,' Niccol explained. 'And in some cases, they pull their own protein powder out of their bag, or in other cases, they have a protein drink, like a Fair Life, and they'd pour that into their drink.' 'I'm like, well, wait a second, we can make this experience better for them,' he added. There's currently a huge push for protein with Gen Z, with different recipes and trends such as the '100 grams of protein daily' challenge going viral on TikTok. And with the continuous rise of GLP-1 drugs, research has shown that a high-protein diet is vital to maintaining muscle with the appetite-suppressing injectable treatments. 3 Starbucks shared that their protein powder should be able to be added to any of its cold foam flavors. Starbucks 'The good news is now I think we're right on trend, and we can do it, I think, arguably better than anybody else,' Niccol said. According to Fast Company, the protein cold foam will be identical to the cold foam Starbucks customers know and love — but it will be packed with somewhere between 15 and 18 grams of protein. The world's largest coffee chain reportedly initially imagined that the protein blend would simply mix into drinks, but it kept getting clumpy — something that protein powder consumers may know a thing or two about — and they wanted to solve that problem. 3 The protein cold foam will reportedly be packed with somewhere between 15 and 18 grams of protein. Dontree – The development team found that blending the powder into foam got rid of the clumps, which led to the protein cold foam innovation. Starbucks shared that their protein powder should be able to be added to any of its cold foam flavors, but the current testing version is a banana cold foam, FoodSided reported. They're starting the testing with Starbucks' Iced Caffe Latte. While it's being tested in just five locations at the moment, Niccol told Axios he thinks the nationwide release of the protein cold foam will be sooner rather than later. 'It's not one of those things that's years away. It's months away,' he said.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks is testing a new banana-flavored protein cold foam
Starbucks is piloting a new menu item that will give people a boost of protein with their morning latte. The coffee chain is testing a new protein cold foam at five locations across the U.S., CNN reported. The foam is banana-flavored and paired with the coffee chain's iced latte beverage, a Starbucks spokesperson confirmed with CBS MoneyWatch. Protein drinks and snacks have ballooned in popularity in recent years — a trend celebrities like Khloé Kardashian are looking to cash in on with products like Khloud, a protein popcorn. Protein shakes are now a $6 billion sector, according to Beverage Digest. Starbuck's foray into protein beverages is part of a larger push to reimagine its menu. The company, according to its website, is piloting an array of new products at select U.S. locations known as the Starting Five. Current products being tested include a Strato Frappuccino and croissants baked in-store. The company says it will test these food and beverage options through its Starting Five program before launching them at the national level. To make way for new menu items, Starbucks will pare down its food and beverage offerings by 30% by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. "By simplifying our menu, we're helping to create a more intentional, thoughtful experience for our customers — one where every drink is handcrafted with precision and care," the company posted online. The menu redesign comes at a time of financial tumult for the coffee chain. Sales remained relatively flat through 2024 and the start of 2025. "Our results do not reflect the strength of our brand," said Rachel Ruggeri, chief financial officer in the company's 2024 Fiscal Year results. In an effort to boost sales and lure people back to its retail locations, CEO Brian Niccol unveiled the "Back to Starbucks" restructuring plan in September 2024. The ongoing initiative involves a series of upgrades to its operations and appearance — such as a new dress code for baristas that highlights the the coffee chain's "iconic green apron." An accused woman skips her pedicure, kills her ex-husband LAPD chief speaks out about deployment of military forces to anti-ICE protests Sneak peek: The Day My Mother Vanished
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Starbucks is testing out a new protein cold foam at 5 locations in the U.S.
Starbucks is piloting a new menu item that will give people a boost of protein with their morning latte. The coffee chain is testing a new protein cold foam at five locations across the U.S., CNN reported. The foam is banana-flavored and paired with the coffee chain's iced latte beverage, a Starbucks spokesperson confirmed with CBS MoneyWatch. Protein drinks and snacks have ballooned in popularity in recent years — a trend celebrities like Khloé Kardashian are looking to cash in on with products like Khloud, a protein popcorn. Protein shakes are now a $6 billion sector, according to Beverage Digest. Starbuck's foray into protein beverages is part of a larger push to reimagine its menu. The company on its website says it is piloting new products at select U.S. locations known as the Starting Five. Current products being tested include a Strato Frappuccino and croissants baked in-store. The company says it will test these food and beverage options through its Starting Five program before launching them at the national level. To make way for new menu items, Starbucks will pare down its food and beverage offerings by 30% by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. "By simplifying our menu, we're helping to create a more intentional, thoughtful experience for our customers — one where every drink is handcrafted with precision and care," the company posted online. The menu redesign comes at a time of financial tumult for the coffee chain. Sales remained relatively flat through 2024 and the start of 2025. "Our results do not reflect the strength of our brand," said Rachel Ruggeri, chief financial officer in the company's 2024 Fiscal Year results. In an effort to boost sales and lure people back to its retail locations, CEO Brian Niccol unveiled the "Back to Starbucks" restructuring plan in September 2024. The ongoing initiative involves a series of upgrades to its operations and appearance — such as a new dress code for baristas that highlights the the coffee chain's "iconic green apron."
