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Live Event Promoters, Hotels, And Rental Sites Need To Disclose Extra Fees Up Front, FTC Says 

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This week, the Federal Trade Commission  stated that it will be requiring hotels, vacation rental platforms, and live event promoters to disclose any extra fees up front when they list prices online for their services, according to reports from AP.

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In their announcement, the FTC stated that consumers of these industries often see one price in advertisements and listings, but are then hit with extra hidden fees such as “resort fees, cleaning fees, processing fees and other extra charges,” that make their total price significantly higher than initially expected. 

“People deserve to know up front what they’re being asked to pay without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said.

This new requirement is scheduled to go into effect in about 120 days. 

In a statement of support for the new rule, Ticketmaster stated that they have “long advocated for all-in pricing as a nationwide industry standard, and we’re pleased to see the FTC mandate the necessary changes to make ticket-buying more transparent for fans.”

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Four out of five FTC commissioners voted in favor of the rule. 

The FTC will now require hospitality and ticketing businesses to very clearly disclose the total cost of their pricing to customers, including all mandatory fees. For certain businesses that exclude taxes or shipping fees from their advertised prices, they must disclose those fees before customers enter their payment information, according to AP.

Reports state that the FTC is estimating this new requirement will save US consumers 53 million hours per year of time spent searching for the total price of their hospitality and/or events. 

Back in 2022, the FTC began the process of creating and implementing this rule by asking the public for their input as to whether or not a full fee-disclosure agreement would help their process and if they believed it would eliminate unfair pricing overall. More than 12,000 people commented. 

Tiffany Pisoni

A Journey From Humble Beginnings to Multi-Venture Success in San Francisco’s Hospitality Scene | Tiffany Pisoni

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In the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant culinary scene, where tastes, trends, and traditions converge, a remarkable individual has carved an extraordinary path to success. With a determination fueled by passion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to her dreams, Tiffany Pisoni has risen from humble beginnings to owning two thriving restaurants, a flourishing catering business, and a successful dishware company. Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and an unyielding love for hospitality.

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Chipotle Sues Sweetgreen for Trademark Infringement Over New Menu Item

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On Wednesday morning, Sweetgreen stocks dropped by 10% after Chipotle Mexican Grill sued the company for trademark infringement over its new “Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl.” The lawsuit comes less than a week after the menu item was announced.

Sweetgreen is well-known for providing healthy food at scale, and the company has recently been attempting to diversify beyond its signature salads. The bowl will only be available for a limited time.

In its complaint, Chipotle claims to have sent Sweetgreen a cease and desist notice asking the company to drop “Chipotle” from the item’s name. Sweetgreen did not respond.

Chipotle alleges that it also suggested Sweetgreen alter the name to something that uses “chipotle in lower-case, in a textual sentence, to accurately describe ingredients of its menu item,” like a “chicken bowl with chipotle.”

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In a statement during the product’s release, Sweetgreen’s co-founder and chief concept officer Nicolas Jammet explained that diner suggestions prompted the addition to the menu.

“Our customers’ feedback plays a major role in the new menu items we introduce, and the Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl is our answer to heartier meal options that can be enjoyed any time of the day. Inspired by bold chipotle spices, this protein-heavy option balances a brand-new flavor profile for Sweetgreen with whole grains and better-for-you ingredients that our customers love.”

The lawsuit further claims that the new product’s advertisements feature the word “Chipotle” in a font very similar to the one used in Chipotle’s logo and occasionally uses a shade of red that resembles Chipotle’s trademarked Adobo Red. Chipotle also alleges that the two chains are competitors in the fast-casual dining industry.

Along with asking for an injunction against Sweetgreen using “Chipotle” in the bowl’s name, Chipotle is also asking the courts for the profits made by Sweetgreen off the menu items.

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In a statement to CNBC, Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs officer, said that the lawsuit is a matter of protecting the company’s brand. The lawsuit states the item is “very similar and directly competitive.”

“We don’t typically comment on litigation, but we will say generally that we’re committed to protecting our valuable trademarks and intellectual property. Consistent with that, we will take appropriate actions whenever necessary to protect our rights and our brand.”

Shares of Sweetgreen have dropped 24% in 2023, reducing the company’s market value to $726 million and causing investors to worry about the company’s future.

However, despite general economic uncertainty, Chipotle has continued to enjoy robust business. During the same period, the fast food behemoth saw its stock value increase by 22% to $47 billion.