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October 2023
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The Hidden History of Hanford
Unearthed Secrets From the Atomic Age
The summer release of “Oppenheimer” found Americans newly interested in the history of the atomic bomb and the people who made it. While I have yet to watch the film, the subject has fascinated me for a long time. Shortly after I moved to Seattle, I saw an article in the paper about how workers discovered two previously unknown underground tanks at the Manhattan Project site in Hanford, only three hours away. I was immediately hooked. While Los Alamos, New Mexico, is the most famous Manhattan Project site, it wasn’t the only one. Los Alamos built bombs; Oak Ridge, Tennessee, manufactured enriched uranium;
warheads and nuclear submarines. It was like stepping back into a particularly morbid piece of history.
After all, atomic weapons are the most horrific thing humankind has ever created. The bombs might have saved more lives than they cost, but the toll on Japan was tragic. It’s also stunning to think that Chernobyl was an accident, but people intentionally created Hanford. It’s a fascinating but somber experience. Local residents suffered, too. The military pulled up one day to the sparsely populated area and ordered all residents to evacuate. They had only hours to gather belongings and leave their homes behind forever. The town still stands but is empty. One woman reported returning to her girlhood home and found everything exactly as it was the day they left, though presumably more contaminated by radiation.
and Hanford, Washington, was responsible for plutonium. By design, the right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing, and workers at each site were unaware of the others. Everything about the plan to build a nuclear weapon was incredibly secretive, and even the workers at Hanford didn’t understand what they were making. The designers were too fearful of
As excited as we were for the tour, my friend and I worried whether it was safe. The people working on the nuclear reactor assured us it was and reported bringing their grandchildren to visit. But it still made me
German espionage to create written plans. That’s what intrigued me about the tank discovery; experts were unsure what was inside, and they were afraid testing might cause a catastrophic explosion. Hanford is now a national park, but visits are limited. It’s the world’s second most polluted site after Chernobyl, and continued clean- up efforts are underway. Potential visitors must enter a lottery for a chance to tour Hanford. I tried my luck for several years before finally winning and seeing the history myself. I went with another attorney who later led the EPA’s role in the clean-up project. We saw countless fascinating sights that day. We toured the nuclear reactor and learned about the remediation efforts. They’re attempting to store the radioactive waste by turning it into safer-to-store glass. We also saw decommissioned
nervous, so I brought an extra pair of shoes. The ones I wore on the tour stayed in a Hanford garbage can rather than going home to where my kids live. I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. While there can be too high a price to pay for inquisitiveness, pursuing knowledge is one of the things that brings me the most fulfillment. My dad always said, “Be curious; what you learn is yours forever.” The fact that I constantly come across new information as an attorney is one of my favorite parts of this work. I love having regular opportunities to allow my curiosity to run wild safely, with only the occasional nuclear diversion.
– Nate Riordan 1 (206) 724-0846
AI-Enhanced Travel: Your Secret to the Perfect Itinerary
The feeling of excitement for an upcoming vacation can quickly turn into one of stress. After you purchase your ticket or plan your travel, you may feel so burnt out that scheduling day-to-day activities for said vacation feels impossible. Thankfully, helping you create an itinerary is where AI thrives. SO, HOW DO YOU USE AI TO HELP YOU PLAN A TRIP? The first step is to craft a prompt that will get the best response possible. To do that, ask your preferred AI platform questions in your native language. AI understands many languages, and your grammar and syntax when asking questions matter when looking for perfect results. The more grammatically accurate your sentence is, the more artificial intelligence can help you.
Next, you need to be as specific as possible. Include all relevant information about your travel party when asking it to make plans for you, including if there are any kids, elderly travelers, pets, dietary restrictions, interests, or priorities because those factors will impact the results it gives you. You should also tell the AI software when it misunderstands you or gives you results that don’t match what you want. AI, like ChatGPT, uses large language models (LLMs) to learn from the person interacting with it, so the back-and-forth of providing feedback helps it pinpoint your specific interests to give you better information.
Rome with activities in less crowded areas that are accessible to elderly travelers.”
Finally, double-check any of the information AI gives you. Most platforms can only access information available before 2021, so certain attractions, restaurants, parks, or other itinerary items may not exist anymore. WANT TO GIVE AI TRAVEL A GO? ChatGPT isn’t the only site you can use to plan your itinerary! You can try any one of the following AI software specifically created for travel:
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Tripnotes.ai
RoamAround.ai Curiosio.com
For example, you can provide this prompt: “Make me a travel itinerary for seven days in
Are Quick-Serve Restaurant Prices Too High?
WHAT CONSUMER BEHAVIOR TELLS US
Quick-serve restaurants have seen a dramatic series of changes since 2020. Dine-in traffic went down while delivery and carryout went up. Costs increased, but prices usually rose faster. Due to increased prices, the industry is now posting higher profits than ever. But as inflation continues to climb and restaurant bills balloon, some observers worry we’re reaching a breaking point. The quick-serve restaurant industry had a minor scare at the beginning of the year when 2022 fourth quarter data showed a 4.2% decrease in traffic compared to fourth quarter 2021. While Revenue Management Solutions (RMS) reported net sales were still up 6.1%, quantity per transaction was also down by 4.8%. In other words, consumers visit quick-serve restaurants less frequently and buy less when they do. Price increases ensured sales still rose but only barely. How much more will consumers tolerate?
Research by RMS examined 2021 and 2022 year-over-year price increases for insight into the effect on traffic. It found that traffic began decreasing when prices were raised by 6% or more. But a higher per-visit spend by remaining diners more than offset the loss of those customers. While the average menu price increase was 8%, restaurants didn’t begin seeing diminishing results until they exceeded a 13% price increase. Up until that point, net sales increased. Meanwhile, a February 2023 analysis by QSR magazine did a deep dive into the effects of price increases at the nonfranchise brand Chipotle. It found that despite steep increases, most consumers considered the restaurant good value for their money. Even better, Chipotle’s heavy user behavior stayed the same and did not result in fewer items ordered.
Whether these trends will hold through 2023 and beyond is another matter. Customers are increasingly grumbling about quick-serve pricing and openly questioning whether they’re getting their money’s worth. On an April 2023 earnings call, McDonald’s CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski reported increased profits while acknowledging that fewer customers were ordering fries, and resistance to price increases seemed to be climbing. At the same time, The Washington Post reports that grocery costs have risen faster than restaurant prices. So, while eating at home usually costs less, it saves less money than before. When and whether price increases will come back to bite the industry remains to be seen, but the market does not appear to have reached that point yet.
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Unlock Profit Potential With Revenue Management
The goal of every franchisee is to maximize profits, and no entrepreneur wants to leave money on the table. Revenue management is where business owners analyze and apply the data to customer habits to improve margins. Many refer to it as the art of selling the right product to the right customer at the right time and price. Revenue management has traditionally been applied by businesses like airlines and hotels that see regular demand fluctuation. These industries rely heavily on dynamic pricing to improve low demand and maximize profits when demand is high. Daily price changes are unlikely to be popular among quick-serve restaurant customers, but revenue management doesn’t end at dynamic pricing. Quick- serve restaurants can also employ menu engineering, upselling, promotions, and channel management.
For example, your menu should use eye- grabbing tactics to influence customer choice toward your most profitable items. Your bestsellers present other opportunities; franchisees can optimize menu offerings and boost revenue per ticket by creating combos or offering tailored add-on options. And while dynamic pricing may not be a good fit for your restaurant, strategic pricing is essential to every business. Let the data guide how cuts and increases affect your bottom line. A revenue management strategy can also assist your business in balancing the channels through which you receive business. Third-party delivery platforms help drive sales but also eat into profits. Experts recommend leveraging your loyalty program to drive traffic to direct ordering. Exclusive menu items or discounts can sway customers to your preferred ordering method without losing out on the visibility third-party apps provide.
Every business also has slow periods. While you probably won’t create consistent demand, revenue management tactics can help you maximize profitability when you have fewer customers. For example, if business lags on Wednesdays, that’s the perfect day of the week to offer an exclusive discount or meal. You can also employ targeted discounting among segments most likely to drop off, which will help drive their repeat business.
The key to revenue management is using your data to make the
most of your inventory, demand, and pricing. Only through adapting to constantly changing
circumstances can businesses maximize their profits.
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
TAKE A BREAK
Save money this October with this delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte that will taste better than any store- bought coffee.
Ingredients: •
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee)
• • •
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• • •
1 cup milk of choice
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp pumpkin purée
Whipped cream for topping (optional)
1–2 tbsp maple syrup
Directions: 1.
In a small pot on medium heat, heat milk until simmering but not boiling. 2. Make your espresso (or coffee) and pour into a large mug or Mason jar. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and stir until well combined. 3. With a milk frother, froth the heated milk until foamy. Then, pour into your pumpkin espresso mixture and top with whipped cream. For decoration, you can sprinkle more cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top!
Solution:
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600 Stewart Street #1300 Seattle, WA 98101
westcoastfranchiselaw.com | (206) 724-0846
IN THIS ISSUE 1 2 Nate’s Curiosity Amid Contamination at Hanford
Personalized Vacations With AI Are Quick-Serve Restaurant Price Increases Sustainable? Elevate Profits With This Sizzling Strategy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Money for Nothing: Creative Passive Income Ideas
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Effortless Earning: Unique Passive Income Strategies
RENT YOUR PROPERTY You don’t need an investment property to make money on the things you already own. Renting out a spare room can earn additional income if you’re willing to share your space. Websites also exist that allow you to connect with people willing to rent your car or store items on your property. Even tools or sporting equipment could be potential money in your pocket. DRIVE A BILLBOARD This idea is perfect for anyone who does a lot of driving. Websites like Wrapify will potentially pay you several hundred dollars monthly to cover your car in an advertisement. The program uses GPS, so the more you drive in high-traffic areas, the more you earn. If you don’t mind looking slightly silly to your friends, this passive income stream allows you to make money without extra work.
SELL STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY If you take photos everywhere, you could be missing out on extra money. Multiple stock photography sites like Shutterstock or Foap allow you to upload your images and sell them as stock photographs. Best of all, once your pictures are on the website, your work is done. This passive income stream only requires a bit of creativity and well-planned images. But it’s worth a shot if you have a decent eye and use your camera often.
Who doesn’t want free money? That dream is what makes a passive income stream sound so appealing. In truth, virtually every passive income option involves some work, and few make you rich. But your options for extra cash are also much more plentiful than investing in property or the stock market. Here are some creative opportunities you may not have known existed. UTILIZE AFFILIATE MARKETING Do you regularly recommend products or services to your family and friends? There may be a way to make money from that. Affiliate marketing allows you to create unique product links tied to your identity. If enough people purchase the item after clicking your link, you receive a small percentage of the sales. Amazon’s affiliate program is probably the most accessible to most people, but countless other brands offer them too!
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