Food and Drink

Is that Happy Meal full of calories, fat and sugar? Then no toy for you, is what the San Francisco Board of Supervisors decided.

It's that time of the year again — McDonald's has brought back the McRib. The BBQ sandwich's only available at the fast-food joint for six weeks, though — which might have an effect on its rabid popularity. Eve Troeh tries to figure out its mysterious appeal.

Californians will vote on a ballot initiative that would legalize all marijuana use, which could open up new business opportunities. The Golden State currently allows marijuana for medical use. Rico Gagliano talks with one woman who's carved a special place for herself in the weed economy.

McDonald's has survived the recession better than most other restaurants. Better than most other companies, in fact. The burger chain announced this week it's seen sales rise for 30 consecutive quarters. McDonald's is doing so well some managers are even re-thinking the competition. Tony Arnold explains.

If you amp up for your workday with a Starbucks latte, how about swinging by on the way home to unwind with a glass of merlot? This week, the company started testing out alcohol on the menu at one store in Seattle. Ann Dornfeld reports on whether this could be the company's next big foray into mind-altering substances.

Workers at Jimmy John's are voting whether to unionize, and become the first U.S. fast food workers to do so. Eve Troeh reports.

Fast food restaurants come under scrutiny for a number of issues, like nutrition and animal rights. What they usually avoid is religion, until now. One fast food chain in France is experimenting with going all-halal — offering food that practicing Muslims can eat — and customers are on both sides of the fence.

What would you do if you walked into an A&W Root Beer — and they said they were out of root beer? Or, if you stopped by a KFC that was out of chicken? Well, we know one economist who recently experienced both. Host Tess Vigeland talks to Freakonomics correspondent Stephen Dubner about the economic theory behind bad customer service.

A new round of U.S. trade sanctions against Iran taking effect will ban Iranian pistachio imports. Washington bureau chief John Dimsdale talks with Bill Radke about how that is good news for American pistachio growers.