Waching daily Jul 2 2018

Applebee's has been a staple of casual dining since it first opened its doors in 1980.

The chain's success peaked in the early 2000s, hitting 1,500 locations and expanding into

international markets, including Ecuador , Chile, and Jordan.

It also added healthier options to its menu, and launched its Carside To-Go service.

But according to Business Insider, Applebee's closures have been on the rise since 2016

and the chain continues to report declining sales and continuing struggles, thanks in

part to millennial shifts to fast-casual dining, and at-home cooking.

So what's going on with this former favorite neighborhood hangout?

Here's the real reason Applebee's is struggling.

Millennial pass

It's no secret that what we eat is constantly evolving.

And thanks to millennials, how we eat has also changed.

In 2016, Applebee's launched what Business Insider called a "comprehensive business transformation"

designed to update the chain for the new generation of diners.

Locations were redesigned, kitchens were overhauled, and the menu looked completely different.

In 2015, HuffPost reported Applebee's would be rebranding as a "millennial bar," adding

trendy options like brisket nachos and sweet potato fries.

At the time, brand president John Cywinski told Fortune,

"While we certainly hope to extend our reach, we can't alienate Boomers or Gen-Xers in the

process."

But by 2017, Applebee's execs were facing the brutal truth that not only had they failed

to get millennials in the door, they had changed so much that their core customer base was

suddenly no longer interested.

Average grub

In a world where rock star chefs, #foodpron, YouTube mukbangs, and culinary TV shows are

king, Applebee's hasn't stepped up their game to compete.

Consumer Affairs customer reviews for the chain topped out at a pretty sad 1.5 stars

as of June 2018.

Bad reviews may be keeping some young diners away, but there's also the lack of social

media excitement about the chain's food.The Detroit News noted in August 2017 that there's

just not much on the Applebee's menu that looks great on the 'Gram.

Just take this photo of the Southwestern Steak Salad from late 2017 a perfect example of

how the menu might look appetizing, but the real life dish doesn't always measure up.

Not mixing it up

The Detroit News suggests one more piece of the fail-puzzle is that every Applebee's in

the U.S. has the exact same menu and while consistency can be great, it can also be a

huge downfall in a market where "local" means everything.

The chain has no special menu to spotlight popular regional offerings.

Which is kind of ironic, considering it's called the "Neighborhood Bar & Grill."

Everyone already knows exactly what there is to choose from and that means there's no

incentive to try a new location.

Caloric overload

Every year, the Center for Science in the Public Interest hands out their Xtreme Eating

Awards and it's not an award anyone wants.

Applebee's was given the top spot in 2016 for their Build Your Sampler platter.

It's customizable, but the worst version you can create packs a whopping 3,390 calories

and a shocking 11,650 mg of sodium.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults ideally eat 1,500 mg of salt per

day, max.

But even healthier menu options can be tricky.

Order the innocent-looking Oriental Grilled Chicken Salad, and you're downing 1,310 calories

and 2,230 mg of sodium.

That leaves us hungry for someplace else.

Social media boycott

In 2013, the company ran into trouble with fans, when an Applebee's server posted a picture

of a receipt with no tip and the customer's comment: "I give God 10 percent, why do you

get 18?"

Not cool, but what really set off the chaos was Applebee's firing of the waitress who

posted the pic, claiming she had violated her contract.

But the internet was having none of it.

The entire fiasco earned more than 20,000 comments, with thousands of people calling

for a boycott of the chain.

Allegations of harassment

According to Vox, Applebee's and sister company IHOP have had more than 60 workers file sexual

harassment lawsuits in federal courts between 2010 and 2018.

Individual franchise owners were named in the lawsuits, brought by workers who claimed

to have been the victims of everything from lewd comments, to threats they would be fired

if they didn't comply with sexual advances.

Applebee's released official statements attempting to distance themselves from the perceived

abusive work environment.

But since most claims are handled privately by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,

it's impossible to tell how many people have actually come forward.

Here's hoping Applebee's can turn it around, in the near future.

Thanks for watching!

Click the Mashed icon to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Plus, check out this other cool stuff we know you'll love too!

For more infomation >> The Real Reason Applebee's Is Struggling - Duration: 4:27.

-------------------------------------------

USA OWNS LOTS OF GUNS, Kalifornia Key to Compliance and Gemtech is DEAD? - TGC News! - Duration: 11:43.

This week on TGC News, Guns behind every blade of grass, a new Cali-Compliant solution for

AR's and Gemtech, as we know it, is dead.

Welcome back to another episode of TGC News, the only gun news show that covers things

you actually care about, my name is Jon Patton.

Before we get cracking, I just want to let all of you know that our Patreon giveaway

gun got turned up a notch this month.

Since we are doing a Ruger American in 6.5 Creedmoor, our friends at MDT offered to throw

in one of their chassis systems to sweeten the deal.

We'll be featuring the gun in an upcoming accuracy comparison video but if you want

find out more, head over to Patreon.com/theguncollective.

Now, the news.

Our first story this week will make you beat your chest and say Merica.

According to FBI statistics, for the last 8 months, from October 2017 to May of 2018,

there have been over 2 million background checks called into the NICS system.

16 MILLION background checks and 11.3 MILLION of those happened since the beginning of 2018.

Gun ownership is strong in this country.

It should come as no surprise then, that according to a new study done by Small Arms Survey,

the American public owns approximately 87 times more firearms than the US military.

They are saying that the US populace has about 393.3 million firearms.

And according to a different study they did, the US military has about 4.5 million firearms.

Now, this data is likely not 100 percent accurate but even if its close, that is some really

cool data.

Think of it this way, at those numbers, there is one 1.2 firearms in the US, privately owned,

for every single person in the country.

Yes, that includes gun grabbers.

Now obviously that's not saying everyone in the country owns a gun but it is pretty wild

to consider that we could literally arm every single person in the country.

Now consider how much ammunition is contained within our borders.

I think the most interesting thing about this data is that even though we have enough firearms

to arm the entire country, crimes with firearms dont increase at the same rate as firearms

ownership.

Hmmm.

What do you guys think about these studies?

Are they worth taking into account when discussing gun stats in the US or is there no way for

them to be accurate enough for your needs?

And in Communist California news, there is another really interesting part designed for

those of you in Cali to deal with the ridiculous legislation that has come down over the last

few years.

At this point I'm struggling to keep up with the massive list of things that you're not

allowed to have in California.

Well this thing claims to allow you to avoid removing all of that stuff, your pistol grips,

collapsible stocks, vertical grips and flash hiders and whatever other nonsense has been

banned in the last 5 minutes in california.

How do they do this?

Well the product is called the Kali Key and its made by a company called JL Billet.

It is essentially a replacement for your charging handle and the gas key on your BCG combined

into one part that turns your rifle into a bolt action.

You take off the gas key and replace it with the kali key.

No other modifications required.

I was curious to see what would happen with the gas tube because it looked like the Kali

Key and the gas tube might interfere and hit.

Well, it actually has a cut-out to allow gas to come towards the side of the receiver,

in the forward portion of the Kali Key.

Not sure how much that might affect blow back to the shooter but in their promo videos it

doesn't look bad at all.

Now, the biggest downside to this thing that I can think of is the fact that if you want

to shoot quickly, you are racking the gun every single round.

But I suppose you might become a boss at malfunction clearing.

Either way, like I've said before here, the crazy laws that come up in california and

other states drive innovation and this is no different.

The price?

75 bucks.

I suppose that's the toll to keep all of your other trinkets on your rifle intact.

What do you guys think of this thing?

We have a huge audience in California so sound off and let me know if you guys would sacrifice

the semi auto functionality in order to keep the other parts.

Gemtech as we know it, is dead.

Now, what I'm about to tell you isn't in a press release or anything of the sort.

This is information from the source and as far as I know, they've made effort to keep

things quiet.

This all started in July of 2017.

We talked about the Smith and Wesson/American Outdoor Brands acquisition of Gemtech as well

as the following lawsuit where Gemtech sued Big Blue for killing a potentially massive

sale and then the subsequent dismissal of that lawsuit based on location.

It's been kind of a mess.

Well, on June 27th, the management of American Outdoor Brands or AOB called a surprise meeting

with the few remaining Gemtech employees.

We all know where this is heading.

Essentially the employees were told that they have approximately 6-9 months left before

the brand is moved to Springfield Massachusetts and that they will no longer be employed.

They were offered severance packages and pretty much told sorry about your luck, the industry

is down and blah blah blah.

This reminds me of what happened with AAC several years back when they were acquired

by Remington/Freedom Group.

A big company came in and everyone hoped it would take the brand to a new level.

Where is AAC now?

Struggling to compete in a market they helped to create.

I hope that big blue has a plan to keep this brand going because the last thing I think

we all want to see is another great brand crushed by corporate America.

As always, Time will tell.

This week on our Good Guy with A Gun segment, we are transported to Memphis Tennessee on

the evening of June 1st.

As a unnamed homeowner was arriving home, he noticed that his dog was going crazy in

its cage, and realized that someone was in the home and he was being robbed.

He decided to enter and it was at that point that the 2 people inside noticed him and started

panicking and drew their guns.

The homeowner was able to get to a hall closet and grab his AK47 and proceed to defend his

home.

It was at that point that he opened fire and killed both men.

He later stated that he did regret the fact that they died but he said it was either me

or them.

And in that equation we all know that self preservation wins every time.

It's time for more Friendly Fire, the segment where I answer your questions from all over

social media.

The questions are coming from the TGC Patriots over on our patreon page.

Well that's kinda tough because there really aren't a ton out there.

I really like the 50 beowulf I built as my first AR, I really think the Barrett 50bmg

rifles are a riot to shoot and I have this 500 automax that just came in for testing

that could be something awesome too.

You're asking me to pick my favorite child haha.

That's a damn good question.

It blows my mind that there are still shops out there with dudes behind the counter saying

things like "that gun you want to buy belongs in the trash" or simply pretending like the

choices they've made in their lives are the only good ones to make.

Gun owners are not one skin color or sex or sexual orientation or political party member

or education level, so why treat customers like they are?

Good question man.

Yup.

And hey, if you want to ask a friendly fire question, send it to me over on theguncollective.com!

That is it for this week's show.

Guys if you disliked this video, hit that button, if you liked it, hit like, get subscribed

and consider supporting us via the links in the video description below.

We have a new amazon affiliate store as well as a link to purchase cool shirts just like

this one and of course links to find us all over your favorite social media platforms!

And as always, thank you all for watching, we'll see you soon.

For more infomation >> USA OWNS LOTS OF GUNS, Kalifornia Key to Compliance and Gemtech is DEAD? - TGC News! - Duration: 11:43.

-------------------------------------------

Why Trump is right to meet with Putin - Duration: 3:03.

For more infomation >> Why Trump is right to meet with Putin - Duration: 3:03.

-------------------------------------------

Melyssa Ford is recovering from a horrific car crash. - Duration: 3:33.

 Melyssa Ford is recovering from a horrific car crash. The 41-year-old model, radio and television personality was involved in a car crash in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 28, and suffered multiple head injuries

Her rep tells Us Weekly that an 18-wheeler merged into her lane while she was driving on the Ventura freeway, clipping her back right tire as she exited Brand/Central Avenue

 Ford's serious head injuries include a skull fracture, concussion and bleeding in her brain, amongst other severe cuts and bruises

She also had a 10-inch open wound that had to be surgically closed using stitches and staples, in addition to several large gashes on her arms and legs

According to her rep, she is now recovering in an L.A. hospital and is under constant observation

 "God and her seatbelt saved her life," the rep says. Real Housewives of Atlanta star Claudia Jordan, who is good friends with Ford, shared a picture from the car crash, which shows the former  Blood, Sweat & Heels star lying on the ground next to her overturned Jeep as three men attempt to assist her

Jordan said she got Ford's permission before sharing the photo. "She was involved in a horrific accident that could have easily taken her life," Jordan wrote

"It's actually a miracle she survived. She's injured FOR REAL. She doesn't even remember this as she has a huge gash in her head and blood on the brain

This was sent to me by a Good Samaritan that didn't know who he was helping but once he saw the story online he contacted me knowing we're friends and he was following me

" Jordan also asked for any eyewitnesses to come forward. "If anyone was a witness to this accident please inbox me any information you may have," Jordan wrote

 "As you can imagine Melyssa doesn't remember much so I'm hoping witnesses will come forward and assist in putting the pieces back together

She was hit by an 18 wheeler. . Everyone please send love and prayers to our friend @melyssaford

"  

For more infomation >> Melyssa Ford is recovering from a horrific car crash. - Duration: 3:33.

-------------------------------------------

Baldi is after Me!? - Duration: 13:54.

For more infomation >> Baldi is after Me!? - Duration: 13:54.

-------------------------------------------

Bill Clinton Is Involved In One Scandal That Could Take Down The Democrat Party - Duration: 10:21.

Bill Clinton Is Involved In One Scandal That Could Take Down The Democrat Party

Bill Clinton is never more than one step ahead of trouble.

The former President has found himself neck deep in yet another scandal.

And it could take down the Democrat Party in November.

Bill Clinton is still at war with Bernie Sanders supporters.

The Clintons and their allies believe that Sanders' spirited primary challenge damaged

Clinton's standing among base voters and helped lead to her defeat at the hands of

Donald Trump.

Now details are coming to light about the scope of the revenge the Clintons sought.

Jonathan Allen – co-author of the book, "Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed

Campaign," – appeared on CSPAN and detailed how Bill Clinton fought to keep Bernie Sanders

supporters out of power in the Democrat National Committee.

The Daily Caller reports:

THE CO-AUTHOR OF A BOOK ON HILLARY CLINTON'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN CLAIMS THAT FORMER PRESIDENT

BILL CLINTON WARNED THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO KEEP BERNIE SANDERS SUPPORTERS

OUT OF POWER.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CSPAN ON THURSDAY, JONATHAN ALLEN EXPLAINED HOW THE CLINTONS HAVE CONTINUED

THEIR WAR ON SANDERS AND HIS SUPPORTERS EVEN AFTER THE 2016 ELECTION.

"ROUGHLY HALF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FELT THE DNC WAS UNFAIRLY TIPPING THE SCALES IN

THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, TRYING TO GET HILLARY CLINTON NOMINATED, TRYING TO HURT

BERNIE SANDERS," ALLEN SAID.

"REALLY THERE'S JUST BEEN A CLASH BETWEEN THESE TWO SIDES."

ALLEN SAID THOSE TENSIONS "RESUMED THE MINUTE THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS ELECTED," ASSERTING,

"TOM PEREZ IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT AND HE'S GOTTEN VERY EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS FROM

PRESIDENT [BILL] CLINTON…NOT TO LET THE PARTY GO TO THE BERNIE SANDERS FOLKS."

This bombshell could not have dropped at a worse time.

Democrats are engaged in a bloody primary season where left-wing activists are waging

primary campaigns against hand-picked establishment leftists.

National Democrats are already coming under fire for interfering in primaries in an attempt

to "clear the field" for their preferred candidates.

That isn't sitting well with the far-left Democrat base.

If the radical leftists win the primaries, they will be sure general election losers.

But if the base feels their candidates have been big-footed out of the race by national

Democrats, they may not be inclined to turnout in November.

And the Democrats cannot afford any dip in base voter enthusiasm.

Despite all the talk of a "blue wave", the Democrats' lead in the generic ballot

suggests control of Congress is very much up for grabs.

Bill Clinton's efforts to exact retribution from Bernie Sanders supporters could cripple

efforts to mobilize the Democrat base.

And since elections are contests in base mobilization, Clinton could play a starring role in yet

another Democrat electoral disaster.

Facebook has greatly reduced the distribution of our stories in our readers' newsfeeds and

is instead promoting mainstream media sources.

When you share to your friends, however, you greatly help

distribute our content.

Please

take a moment and consider sharing this article with your friends and family.

Thank you.

For more infomation >> Bill Clinton Is Involved In One Scandal That Could Take Down The Democrat Party - Duration: 10:21.

-------------------------------------------

What Is A Buyer Persona? Content Marketing Strategy Tutorial - Duration: 0:58.

A Buyer Persona is a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer based on market research

and real-world data from your existing customers.

Buyer Personas can help you build content and messaging around the needs of your customers.

As you build your Buyer Personas, you should consider customer demographics, behavior patterns,

motivations, and the goals of your customers.

This marketing tool helps provide a description that will help you attract buyers just like

them.

This is because personas help your company identify what your customers are thinking,

feeling concerned about, hoping, expecting, planning, and believing.

One of the best ways to create content and play them promotional campaigns that truly

engage your target audience is by creating a Buyer Persona.

Having a definition to outline your marketing efforts will help keep your entire marketing

team focus your time, energy, and resources by producing great content that gets results.

Use Personas today to help your company find commonalities between your target audience

so you can make more relevant content that will appeal to a wider segment of your market.

For more infomation >> What Is A Buyer Persona? Content Marketing Strategy Tutorial - Duration: 0:58.

-------------------------------------------

Dimitrov suffers Wimbledon shock as he is dumped out Wawrinka - Duration: 3:49.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka returned to the big stage in style on Monday, ousting sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov 1-6 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5) 6-4 on Centre Court at Wimbledon

The Swiss, whose ranking had dropped to 225 after a knee injury, fought a stubborn and determined match from the baseline to down the 27-year-old, who appeared beset by first-round nerves

It was a tough draw for Dimitrov but it looked like being a straightforward task for the Bulgarian after he wrapped up the first set in less than half an hour

Wawrinka is nothing if not tenacious, however, and he fought for every point, becoming more and more comfortable as the match went on

By contrast Dimitrov became more tense and inconsistent. He failed to convert two set points in the second set and that appeared to knock his confidence, allowing Wawrinka back into the match

Dimitrov suffered again at the end of the third set. After breaking serve early, he dropped his own while serving for the set

John McEnroe, who was commentating, described it as choking.Wawrinka's long experience paid off in the two tiebreaks

The 33-year-old, who has won every Grand Slam but Wimbledon, was steady and cool, sending down rasping groundstrokes from both sides of the court

His intensity and focus continued into the fourth set, which he captured on Dimitrov's serve when the Bulgarian could only tip a powerful backhand into the net

'My goal was to really fight and focus on my game,' Wawrinka said. 'Mentally it was a big surprise to fight so well after losing the first set

'The Swiss said his knee had held up well but he was sure he would be tired after the match which lasted two hours 45 minutes

'I will do everything to be ready for the next round,' said Wawrinka, who will now face Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano

'I'm looking forward to it.'

For more infomation >> Dimitrov suffers Wimbledon shock as he is dumped out Wawrinka - Duration: 3:49.

-------------------------------------------

Digital Friendship Is Forever (Small Town Creative) - Duration: 7:59.

if I can't find somebody like me what other option do I have

bottoms up

hello friends and welcome to the Small Town Creative I am Michael Masters

creative professional in the small town of Ovid Michigan that's OVID today

we're talking about friendship

friendship yeah what do you know about friends what do they really know about

you when you say the word friendship what sort of things come to mind Michael

this is a deep question that requires careful consideration before answering

does it really matter what me as the viewer has to say about friendship or I

could just assume that you wanted to get my gears turning in anticipation for the

remainder of information you're about to share with me okay I think I processed

your question and I'm ready for you to continue and three two when you say the

word friendship what sort of things come to mind

last week I asked the same question in a place where friends just love to hang

out Facebook here's some of the things they had to say dependability love

laughter grace and wisdom these are like the foundations of

friendship right there alcohol tea and gossip it sounds a lot

like high school every single day

I'm so impressed Brad says The Goonies and it just

wouldn't be complete without sports and here's my favorite his ship made out of

friends Thank You Maegan the visual imagery is so vivid I like to think that

the best friends are the ones you're with and you can't help but say these

two words me too when you share an interest with someone you each have

something to offer to the other and there's always something to talk about

for example take this short sketch that my buddies Jordan Alfred and I put

together

this is a great example of when a common bond in this case

clapping each other into non-existence unites people unfortunately there's

always those times when we need somebody to collaborate with and nobody's

available to play that's really sad it is sad but let me encourage you with a

story about how I solved that same dilemma using only my imagination only

your imagination and some video equipment and lighting that my uncle

Jerry gave me anything else some props the help of friends and family and a

completely original song with the help of my friend Tim Kish I hope you enjoy

it

I'm making a friend in my imagination I started

would

laws

between

we'll remember I wouldn't be so alone I

thought I was facing an impossible situation when I remembered something my

unusually intelligent daughter told me when the physical presence of a friend

is impossible technology kicks in to form a new kind of friendship the

digital kind of thank you I began the search for a digital individual I could

connect with online that's not what I was looking for social media groups

they're useful but I do need someone that's available at the drop of a hat

hire somebody that'd be nice we're gonna have the money for that

I just know that there's somebody out there who just loves to make things sing

ridiculous songs and eat peanut butter out of the jar so much as I do

George Bernard Shaw said that life isn't about finding yourself life is about

creating yourself if I can't find somebody like me what other option do I

have

bottoms up

you're so handsome I

I'll call you busy yeah busy dizzy

wow what an inspiration I was so glad that Michael found someone who is so

much more than what he was even looking for we're gonna learn a lot more about

busy busy and that was so two of the small-town creative now if you think you

like this video click the like button below it's a good way to say hey Mike I

don't just think I like I know also if you want to be in the loop I'd love for

you to join the tribe YouTube can help connect me to you all you have to do is

subscribe before we wrap up I have a question for you what's one thing that

your best friend does for you that nobody else can let me know in the

comments below your response could be in the next video alright guys that's it

for me I'll leave you with this nugget of wisdom be more bizarre today than you

were tomorrow see you next time

you

For more infomation >> Digital Friendship Is Forever (Small Town Creative) - Duration: 7:59.

-------------------------------------------

Breaking News - Dimitrov suffers Wimbledon shock as he is dumped out Wawrinka - Duration: 3:32.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka returned to the big stage in style on Monday, ousting sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov 1-6 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5) 6-4 on Centre Court at Wimbledon

The Swiss, whose ranking had dropped to 225 after a knee injury, fought a stubborn and determined match from the baseline to down the 27-year-old, who appeared beset by first-round nerves

It was a tough draw for Dimitrov but it looked like being a straightforward task for the Bulgarian after he wrapped up the first set in less than half an hour

Wawrinka is nothing if not tenacious, however, and he fought for every point, becoming more and more comfortable as the match went on

By contrast Dimitrov became more tense and inconsistent. He failed to convert two set points in the second set and that appeared to knock his confidence, allowing Wawrinka back into the match

Dimitrov suffered again at the end of the third set. After breaking serve early, he dropped his own while serving for the set

John McEnroe, who was commentating, described it as choking. Wawrinka's long experience paid off in the two tiebreaks

The 33-year-old, who has won every Grand Slam but Wimbledon, was steady and cool, sending down rasping groundstrokes from both sides of the court

His intensity and focus continued into the fourth set, which he captured on Dimitrov's serve when the Bulgarian could only tip a powerful backhand into the net

'My goal was to really fight and focus on my game,' Wawrinka said. 'Mentally it was a big surprise to fight so well after losing the first set

' The Swiss said his knee had held up well but he was sure he would be tired after the match which lasted two hours 45 minutes

'I will do everything to be ready for the next round,' said Wawrinka, who will now face Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano

'I'm looking forward to it.'