Business Wars

It’s the early 1990s and Marriott’s a financial wreck heading for the rocks, and running out of time to find a way to remedy its debts.But as Marriott crumbles, the sleeping giant that is Hilton is waking up. And it wants its position as market leader back.But to retake the crown it needs to move fast. The hotel industry is consolidating and right now Hilton looks more prey than predator.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the late 1960s and succession is top of mind at both Hilton and Marriott.Conrad Hilton’s almost 80 and about to hand his business over to his sons, Nicky and Barron. But their rivalry will push Hilton into making a damaging decision.Meanwhile, Bill Marriott railroads his father, J.W., in order to load up on debt and catapult the Marriott Corporation into the hotel big-time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We'll take a look at the hotel industry landscape this summer, including the "Taylor Swift effect," and the amped up fight against rental companies like AirBnB. Travel industry journalist Sean O'Neill and comedian Liz Barrett join us for this journey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 1919 and Conrad Hilton is among the fortune seekers in the oil-boom town of Cisco, Texas. But when his plan to buy a bank unravels, he turns to hotels and finds himself heading down the rocky road to business success.But as Hilton breaks ground and flirts with bankruptcy, over on the east coast, J.W. Marriott’s starting a business that’s destined to break into the big time not by selling beds, but by serving root beer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve spent this season telling the story of how Quiznos and Subway battled to create a sub sandwich that would lure the most customers. Now, we’re putting them to the test – a taste test, that is.Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati are Kitcheneers and hosts of Mythical Kitchen, an offshoot of the popular YouTube channel, Good Mythical Morning. They also co-host the podcast “A Hotdog is a Sandwich.” We’re going deep with them on what makes a winning sandwich and how the current competition stacks up. They’ll also bite into sandwiches from both Subway and Quiznos and give us their official reviews.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 2008 and as the Great Recession sinks in, Panera, Jersey Mike’s and Firehouse Subs amp up the competition. Quiznos tries to win back dwindling market share with an avalanche of coupons. But store managers refuse to honor them and sue the parent company for abusive practices. While civil war rages at Quiznos, Subway faces down a serious scandal. But Quiznos can’t take advantage of their competitor’s troubles; they’re in a fatal tailspin. Now both franchises experiment with store remodels, drive thru and online kiosks in a bid to recover from the global pandemic and its devastating disruption of the restaurant industry.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 2003 in Miami, Florida and a Subway franchisee comes up with a catchy promotion: the 5 Dollar Footlong. But Subway Corporate is preoccupied with a costly new innovation: special ovens to toast their subs. Robbed of their “toasty” advantage, Quiznos counters with a hip ad featuring uncanny creatures called Spongmonkeys, and a campaign claiming their steak subs have more meat than Subway’s. But the aggressive media campaign has dramatic fallout for franchisees who are already struggling to pay high prices for company-owned food and supplies. As more franchisees fall into debt, store owners rebel.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 1987 in Denver, Colorado, and a 22-year-old stockbroker named Rick Schaden invests a market windfall into a Quiznos franchise. Four years later, he and his wealthy father buy all 18 stores. Their outlandish dream: take on Subway. Meanwhile, a college kid manages to lose 245 pounds eating 2 Subway sandwiches a day. With “Jared the Subway Guy” as their new spokesperson, and the introduction of freshly baked bread, Subway’s profits and store count soar. But by 2000, the Schadens’ savvy business strategy and aggressive franchise marketing catapults Quiznos into third place behind Subway and Blimpie. But manic growth hides troubling signs of dysfunction.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m

Can old school fast food chains lure in hipper, younger diners with AI-powered features, EV charging stations and playgrounds? We'll consider what brands like Subway are doing to draw new customers and also whether the grain bowl trend has staying power. Restaurant industry journalist Sam Oches and comedian Kyle Kinane join us for this meaty discussion.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 1965 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and 17-year-old Fred DeLuca needs money to pay for college. A family friend makes him a surprising offer and they become unlikely partners, opening a string of barely profitable restaurants called Pete’s Submarines. Their luck changes when DeLuca refines their cash flow management process and recruits their  first franchisee. They give the burgeoning restaurant empire  a new name: Subway. Meanwhile, in Denver, an experienced chef perfects artisanal recipes for authentic toasted Italian subs, and comes up with a name so weird it’s unforgettable: Quiznos.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is your house team Target or team Walmart? Depending on where you live, or what you’re trying to buy, the answer might be one, or both. Even though these stores sell a lot of the same merchandise, shoppers have very different perceptions — and allegiances.Here to explore the ‘target’ demographics of your favorite big box stores is Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Nassauer, who has covered major retailers like Target and Walmart for nearly a decade. We’re strolling down the aisles to find out how each chain is doing today in this e-commerce world, and what the future holds.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 2013 and Target’s troubles are multiplying. The Minneapolis retailer’s big push into Canada is getting the cold shoulder and a gang of cybercriminals are about to bust open its network and stage a billion-dollar heist.But while Target firefights, Walmart is focusing on a newer, more hi-tech foe: Amazon.And as the war for shoppers moves from bricks to bytes, Target’s new CEO Brian Cornell needs to get the chain back on track fast, before it gets left behind.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s early 2005 and Walmart’s reeling from a dismal holiday season. It hoped to improve its image by playing nice with rivals only to watch Target snatch away its shoppers.So now it’s looking to hit back by muscling in on the cheap-chic action that’s sent Target’s growth soaring.But Walmart’s about to find that winning over the fashion conscious is as much about brand as design.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the 1990s and Walmart’s replaced Kmart as America’s biggest retailer. But now that it’s on top, its business practices are under fire. And for Target, that’s an opportunity to paint itself as the friendly alternative to the Bentonville juggernaut.But to really break through, Target knows it must stand apart from its bigger opponent. And it’s about to find what it needs in the design districts of New York City.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a safe place for parents to get away from it all. It’s a cliche that having kids is both the most rewarding and the hardest thing you’ll ever do. And it never ends: just when you’ve figured out how a newborn works, the kid becomes a toddler, then a tween, a teenager and beyond. And kids don’t come with an instruction manual or an off switch. Sure, you love your kids, best thing that ever happened to you blah blah blah, BUT… Welcome to I Love My Kid, But… a weekly escape where comedians Megan Gailey, Kurt Braunohler, Chris Garcia and guests unload about the joys and challenges of being a parent, all the hell their kids put them through, and how they might reclaim some of the glory of their pre-parenting life. You might learn a few things about how to be a better parent along the way, but it’s more important that you get to laugh and enjoy three very funny people vent about parenthood with other moms and dads who “get it.” No child psychologists here, no educators, or noted experts… just three

What's old is new again. Second-hand shopping is taking off online and the big brands want a piece of the action. Meanwhile, fast-fashion companies are working to reinvent themselves in the eyes of Gen Z. To unzip these shifts in retail, we're joined by comedian Cat Alvarado and editor Kaarin Vembar. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 1962 and a new retail trend’s catching fire – big-box discount stores that reinvent shopping with out-of-town locations, huge product ranges, and low, low prices.And at opposite ends of the country, two hopefuls are jumping on the bandwagon. In Arkansas, five-and-dime owner Sam Walton’s opening his first Wal-Mart. In Minnesota, the upscale Dayton’s department store is readying a discount chain called Target.But to survive in this new frontier of razor-thin margins, faster rivals and price-sensitive shoppers, they’ll both have to rip up the rulebook.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 2017, and after months of sky-high price rises, the crypto bubble is about to burst. But as scammers and investor panic crash the market, the Winklevoss twins’ nemesis Mark Zuckerberg is making moves. He’s planning a push into crypto designed to put Facebook at the center of global finance.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the mid-2010s and a new blockchain called Ethereum is shaking up crypto. It’s the creation of nineteen-year-old Vitalik Buterin, and it’s inspiring a flood of new digital coins and a gold rush for crypto. But as millions of investors buy crypto for the first time, Coinbase feels the strain.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s 2015 and Coinbase is out to carve up the crypto scene with its new exchange. But it’s about to face strong headwinds in the form of state regulators, banks, and the Winklevoss twins’ new startup Gemini. And as Coinbase’s growth slows, CEO Brian Armstrong faces pressure to abandon crypto.Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.