Taco Bell vs Wendy's

Ex‑Twitter Architects Launch Vine‑Style App Banning AI

Divine, a new six‑second loop video app created by Evan Henshaw‑Plath (aka Rabble) and funded by Jack Dorsey, launches publicly on 2026-08-20 after roughly nine months in development. The independent platform positions itself as a revival of Vine-style short-form loops, hosts more than 2.5 million 'Vine classics', and explicitly bans AI‑generated content. Built on the open Nostr protocol, Divine says it avoids algorithmic recommendation systems and aims to integrate commercial opportunities from launch; Taco Bell is announced as its first brand partner offering early access to customers. The app emphasizes creator ownership and transparency but will compete in a short-form market dominated by TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

• Divine is a video-sharing app for six‑second looping videos and hosts more than 2.5 million 'Vine classics' on the platform.
• Divine was created by Evan Henshaw‑Plath (aka Rabble), one of the chief architects of Twitter, and is funded by Jack Dorsey.
• The company bans AI‑generated content and positions itself against algorithmic recommendation systems.

DiVine, Vine Successor, Won't Rule Out Ads

DiVine, a new app inspired by Vine and led by Evan Henshaw-Plath, launched August 2026 and offers six-second looping videos plus a “classic” tab hosting more than two million restored original Vine clips. The app is funded by Jack Dorsey (who reportedly holds no equity) and is built on the decentralized Nostr protocol. DiVine requires users to record clips in-app or provide a C2PA provenance check; content that appears AI-made is blocked. The company is evaluating revenue options including paid services and advertising; CMO Alice Chan said the team is "not closed to ads" but wants brand content native to DiVine. Early brand activity includes a Taco Bell throwback campaign that is promoting the app ahead of public launch. Industry observers flagged questions about policing AI content and long-term sustainability without ad revenue.

• DiVine launched in August 2026 as a Vine-inspired app offering six-second looping videos.
• Evan Henshaw-Plath (aka Rabble), a former Twitter employee, is behind DiVine.
• Jack Dorsey is funding DiVine but the company stated he has no equity or ownership.

Cyclospora Outbreak Creates PR Headache for Food Brands

A cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce and potentially other fresh produce has generated consumer confusion and a communications challenge for grocery retailers and food service chains. Companies including Sweetgreen and Taco Bell have publicly worked to reassure customers about the safety of their produce supply. The Modern Retail Podcast episode (published August 1, 2026) — hosted by senior reporter Gabriela Barkho with guest Helena Bottemiller Evich, founder and editor-in-chief of Food Fix — examines why this outbreak is historically hard to trace, best practices for corporate communication during contamination events, and strategies for rebuilding long-term consumer trust.

• Published by Modern Retail on 2026-08-01.
• The Modern Retail Podcast episode discusses the cyclospora outbreak and its PR implications.
• Food service chains Sweetgreen and Taco Bell have been publicly reassuring customers about produce safety.

McDonald's Rolls Out AI-Powered Dynamic Pricing

AI-powered pricing is increasingly adopted in fast-food and grocery sectors, drawing regulatory and public scrutiny. McDonald's uses a Tiger Analytics-developed AI platform across nearly 14,000 U.S. locations, calculating local willingness to pay and causing up to 21% price variations. A recent federal antitrust lawsuit and a Reuters investigation prompted McDonald's to clarify the tool provides recommendations, not final prices. Walmart's CEO committed to not using personal data for personalized pricing. Retailers like Kroger use AI (FlashFood) and electronic shelf labels to adjust prices, with experts warning of a blur between dynamic and personalized pricing. Regulatory actions include Maryland's ban on dynamic pricing at grocery stores, FTC policy proposals, and legislation in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut to curb data-driven pricing. Bank of England economists note AI pricing could complicate inflation measurement.

• McDonald's uses an AI pricing tool (by Tiger Analytics) across nearly 14,000 U.S. locations, causing up to 21% price variations for identical items.
• A Reuters investigation (Sept 29, 2026) and a federal antitrust lawsuit allege AI pricing overcharges customers; McDonald's states the tool provides recommendations, not final prices.
• Walmart's CEO issued a letter committing to not using personal data for personalized pricing; Kroger uses AI (FlashFood) and electronic shelf labels for dynamic pricing.

Wendy's Canada Introduces the OREO Brownie Frosty and Asks Canadians to Settle a Debate - Do you Dip or Dunk Fries in a Frosty?

Wendy's Canada introduces the OREO Brownie Frosty, a new limited-time flavor, and launches a social media campaign asking Canadians to settle the debate on dipping or dunking fries in a Frosty.

Leading the Way: Celebrating Wendy's 2025 Top General Managers

Wendy's blog features a new post celebrating its 2025 Top General Managers, published September 1, 2026.