what is travel food services

• Change location
• Worldwide English Français Italiano Español -->
• France Français English -->
• Germany Deutsch
• Spain Español Català English -->
• Portugal Português
• Latam Español
• Italy Italiano
• USA English

Revitalizing the travel hospitality experience

A global leader in travel dining and retail services

With a global operating presence, Areas offers a broad range of national, proprietary and local dining and retail services designed to exceed the expectations of both guests and landlords in airports, railway stations, highway service plazas and beyond.

Satisfying guests, from road to sky

Highways & turnpikes, railway stations, leisure & events.

SERVICE PLAZAS WORLDWIDE

Turning every roadside break into an experience that enhances the wellbeing and safety of travelers

AIRPORTS WORLDWIDE

Creating opportunities for travelers to discover new tastes and enjoy themselves in comfort before departure

RAILWAY STATIONS

Making travel time meaningful with creative and personalized offerings suited to the needs of every passenger

LEISURE & EVENT
 VENUES

A unique approach that makes every event unforgettable, from catering to reception services

+150 top & trending brands

We strive to bring the best brands to each airport and service plaza. With a portfolio of 100+ top and trendy brands, we partner with desirable brands from national staples to local flavors, and everything in between. We are proud to partner with brands committed to bringing unforgettable experiences to every guest.

Ready to join?

What's a Food Travel Expert?

The SSP America team is comprised of Food Travel Experts—team members and leaders who hail from the restaurant, hospitality, and food service industries. Many of our team members share a love of culinary experiences while traveling or just love restaurants. At the helm of our organization are restaurant, hospitality, and food service industry veterans along with leaders who have an expertise in a specialized field. All of us are Food Travel Experts.

You have the potential to be a Food Travel Expert, too.

Food Travel Experts are bartenders in San Diego, kitchen managers in Seattle, servers in New York, and chefs in Toronto. They support our operations teams in airports across the country, whether they’re working remotely from Phoenix or Florida as a Talent Acquisition Specialist or as an Accounting Director. SSP America’s team is made up of diverse names, faces, backgrounds, talents, and aspirations. We’re working together on the common ground of our PASSION Principles™ .

SSP America’s Food Travel Experts are focused on growing and developing our team from within, engaging, and recognizing every single one of our team members, and taking care of their safety, and benefiting their personal lives.

Ready to join the ranks of the Food Travel Experts?

other stories

Vp of people talks about change, partner spotlight: zaza, ssp america contributes to the greenest terminal, brand spotlight: jim stump’s taproom + kitchen, ssp america flying into fat, team member spotlight: prado team members, team member spotlight: todd kaufman, diraddo named rvp, ssp america and health menu options, harry & izzy’s globally ranked, loulou market & bar at sea, team wins at aci, ssp america expands presence at slc, celebrating success in ind, brand spotlight: dirty apron, team member spotlight: pat banducci, flying into the indy 500, creating restaurant jobs with the mayor of flavortown, guy fieri, we’re always ready to ‘seas the day’, we’ve got soul [food], join our community, interested in working at ssp america.

Moodie Davitt Report

Connect with us

Food & Beverage

Interview: Travel Food Services Executive Director Varun Kapur on growth, guest service and family values

INDIA. Travel through India’s leading airports and the sight of the Travel Food Services (TFS) logo will quickly become familiar, writes S. Shriram . You’ll see it on the uniforms of staff serving customers at food & beverage outlets, on the chef clothing of the women and men who are inspecting the food quality at kiosks, restaurants and food courts, or adorning the exterior of many of these locations.

The Travel Food Services logo is a symbol of one of the great players in airport dining and hospitality, one built by entrepreneur Sunil Kapur over the past two decades and still led by his family.

Kapur eyed the immense opportunity in commercial services in 2009, when the first two brownfield airports at Mumbai and Delhi were handed over to GVK Group and GMR Group respectively by Airports Authority of India, based on the privatisation policy of the Union Government.

At the time, India had annual airport passenger traffic of around 100 million a year, with these two airports serving around 40% of that figure. Kapur was excited by the idea of developing preferred venues at which travellers could enjoy food, fast or slow, according to their needs.

Today, TFS operates over 80 brands across 350+ outlets, including food, lounges and retail formats, at 17 airports. The company extended its services beyond India to Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia in 2022 as part of its partnership with SSP.

TFS Executive Director Varun Kapur sums up the evolution of the market and the opportunity.

“Aviation is largely linked to the country’s success and in India, the pace at which it is growing is remarkable. As a highly aspirational country, with a clear trend of increasing consumption for the past few years, consumers are demanding. We are seeing a big trend in first-time travellers, especially leisure travel post-pandemic, alongside business travel. And consumers today only want the best and do not wish to compromise.”

He says that the travel experience is no longer just about reaching the destination but an integral part is the journey itself. Therefore as stakeholders in the industry we need to ensure F&B and retail match up to customer expectations.

“Passengers are arriving early to the airports, and after checking-in, they head to the retail and food outlets to spend time. Even at the lounges we operate, we have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of time and number of passengers,” says Kapur.

The food mix is also in constant evolution. To keep operating costs low, it was common in the past to see pre-prepared and pre-cooked food at airport counters. But much has changed. ‘Live’ kitchens dish out hot Indian-style food at many airports, with Dilli Streat at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport a popular example among many. The buffet-style offer in most lounges is freshly prepared at the on-site kitchens.

This trend is also related to demand for healthy food, which has seen an upswing since the pandemic, says Kapur. “South Indian food items are perceived as healthier, with fresh ingredients and less fatty items, so we see an uptick in sales here,” he notes.

“It is not just in southern airports either. We see a similar trend at airports in other parts of the country. And the specifics of add-ons are interesting too; today, customers know exactly how their Dosas should be prepared and expect our outlets to be able to prepare products as per their needs.”

According to TFS, the share of non-vegetarian fare sold was over 45% pre-pandemic, it fell to around 35% over the past three years and is back at over 40%.

“Some of the health trends of the pandemic are continuing. Customers are looking for sustainability and doing good for the environment and for the community,” says Kapur.

Managing multiple brands across many airports adds complexity, but TFS says it is important to tailor options to local tastes as much as possible. Sense of Place is key to outlet design and menus, with the familiarity of regional brands an important component in concept development, alongside the reliability of national & international leading brands.

Customer demands and profiles also play their part in menu design. “Dwell times are higher for international passengers, so the menus are different for them, while it is important to sufficient locations with quick, takeaway food for domestic travellers,” says Kapur. “In some airports, the international passengers are primarily migrant labourers, so we build the menu there accordingly.”

Within drinks, cocktails and spirits are highly popular on the international side, while beer is surely a best seller in domestic departures. TFS does various bar concepts with the brand The Irish House being the market leader with a wide menu, larger seating space and more dwell time for passengers to sit longer, suiting multiple tastes.

While most customers are Indians, given the enormous domestic travel market, TFS also aims to meet demand from foreigners, many of whom are in India for work or leisure. Many of these also love Indian food, just as many Indians gravitate to western-style beverages and food from cappuccino coffee to burgers and pizzas.

“We sensitise our teams to acknowledge cultures, the way they communicate, the language and accent and of course we try to have options for the food to be less spicy to cater to passengers who may not have the spice quotient that is generally seen among native Indians,” he says.

Vast audience

Of the 330 million air passengers that 130+ Indian airports served during financial year 2022-23 (to 31 March), over 75% flew on domestic routes. That heavy volume presents a vast audience of consumers for TFS, and long hours of operation from early morning through to late evening, with flight delays adding to this.

Kapur states that the business runs on a 24/7 basis at Mumbai and Delhi airports, as the flights and passengers are present till late at night, and teams must ensure that food is ready to serve at the kiosks and lounges almost immediately for the early morning schedule from 5am onwards.

One of the key challenges of a 24/7 operation at airports is managing the critical supply chain of freshly prepared Indian food and other cuisines.

TFS runs central kitchens near several of its airports to help serve demand. These become even more important when there are flight delays during peak hours, holiday weeks or during foggy weather periods when there is severe congestion at the terminals. Most airlines have done away with offering complimentary food so travellers usually reach out to the food & beverage outlets, or access the lounges.

Managing such large operations at a high level of complexity adds cost too, but in a fast-emerging market with millions more travelling each year, one has to adapt fast.

“That’s the IP of TFS”, says Kapur. “We have learned it over the last 14 years, operating across several markets and refining the processes. Airports are high-security zones, so people movements are tougher, but through effective planning and having the necessary infrastructure to support our operations we ensure cooked food, ingredients and our people move seamlessly and swiftly from the back end to the front so passengers receive the highest level of F&B experience.

“I studied in New York; and many airports in the west look pretty much the same for several decades. But what we have seen here in India driven by the massive growth is that a new airport is built which reaches capacity in five years and once again it requires a new terminal to be added. This has been happening for the past 15 years and to continue to live up to this evolution is the biggest challenge for all of us in the market.

“Everything is so dynamic in India right now. We cannot say everything is set, let’s take a break for a year – that’s not going to happen. We need to be on top of our game.”

Kapur is excited about what the future holds, with an eye on increasing the footprint of operations to over 500 outlets over the next two years. Even with that investment, there are almost 100 airports in India, which are smaller in size, where TFS is not a player.

“Many smaller airports have sprung up in the past few years and we are keeping an eye on them as. We will continue to focus on building up our business in existing markets as well as keep scouting newer ones in the next ten years.

“We want to be in airport retail for the next 100 years. Perhaps we could be sending food to passengers on Space X and my great-great-grand kids might even continue to be in this business. However, our clear priority is to focus on the 25-30 top airports right now. And that is what we are working on.”

Among those current developments, the new integrated terminal at Chennai International Airport is high on the agenda. TFS will run a series of outlets at the facility, which was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, alongside a new world-class lounge. Once all international flights move in, TFS will scale up its services, aided by a large central kitchen that is located close by.

Kapur is also excited by the recently opened Manohar International Airport (MOPA) in Goa, a GMR-managed greenfield airport, and by the recently opened Terminal 2 at Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport.

After Adani Airports took over Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati Airports in 2021 with aggressive plans to upgrade and improve the airports, TFS won F&B tenders at each. At Guwahati, among the concepts to open is Cafeccino which has seen great success, says the company. In an echo of TFS’ early days, this concept was the first to open under TFS management at Mumbai International Airport Terminal 1D in 2009.

What is also clear is that family values run like a rich seam through the TFS business, with the Kapurs hands-on with the day to day operations. I saw this myself when I was travelling through Bangalore Airport domestic departures some years ago, just days after a new common-use lounge had opened through TFS. Present in the lounge to ensure that the hospitality offer was at its best, and telling the team to smooth out any early wrinkles, was Founder Sunil Kapur. That personal approach to guest relations spans every aspect of TFS group operations.

Varun Kapur, who took on executive leadership in 2018, says: “Ownership, trust and transparency are the fundamental principles that my father has taught us, and we follow this meticulously. Our people come first and we ensure they are well taken care of. If they are happy, they will deliver great experiences to customers.”

While not involved in the day to day running of the business but Kapur Sr. continues to visit the outlets on his travels, quietly observes the operations and shares feedback with his son and the wider team. This, says Varun, helps the business improve both the operations and the offering.

Delhi International Airport for example served 65 million passengers in the year to 31 March, or 178,000 every day on average, and TFS serves a key part of that audience’s demands through its F&B outlets. That means being consistently good on a vast operational scale.

And there is much opportunity ahead too. Penetration remains relatively low at most Indian airports, across retail and F&B. As Varun Kapur notes, this is just the beginning, and the next decade should be even more exciting than the past one.

Note 1: The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards take place in Bangkok, Thailand on 12-13 September. The Moodie Davitt Report event, created in 2011 and hosted annually until the pandemic, will be held at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok. Delegates can access the registration portal via this link:  https://airportfab.events/

Preferential room rates for FAB delegates can be booked with the hotel directly via the following link:  Millennium Hilton Bangkok FAB 2023 Hotel Reservations .

Reservations at the preferential FAB rate must be made by Sunday 13 August and are subject to availability.

For all partnership, speaker, content and other enquiries, please contact Jeannie Wong, The Moodie Davitt Report Asia Bureau Chief and Head of Marketing & Events at [email protected] .

Note 2:   The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email  [email protected]  to subscribe.

Follow us :

The Moodie Davitt Report Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter for critical marketing information delivered to your inbox

Related Articles

“We are pleased to offer travellers the chance to bring home a touch of local Edmonton history and culture with these two new concepts,” says WH Smith North America CEO Toby Keir.

“When we went through the process of awarding our duty-free concession, we were looking for a partner who was willing to be unique, willing to be different, willing to challenge the status quo. I’m happy to say that we found in Lotte Duty Free a partner exactly like that,” says Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff.

The Moodie Davitt Report, in partnership with tRetail Labs, proudly announces the release of the pioneering North America Airport F&B Market Intelligence Report.

How to Plan a Food Trip

Close your eyes. Think about your favourite city or place to visit. Now, imagine a food you love passionately. I’m sure you smiled! That’s it, eating and travelling are things that really move us. Well, that is what Food Travel means. Is there a better thing than to combine these two passions in a culinary trip?

What is Food Travel

Food Travel means moving around with the aim of exploring a destination gastronomic offer . Exploring the pleasures of the table has always been associated with moments of leisure, but on a gastronomic trip, the culinary experience is no longer just a complement but the main motivation in choosing a destination and in the way of exploring it .

In general, it means travelling to do food tourism , which we define as follows:

Food tourism is composed of activities that provide experiences of consumption and appreciation of food and beverages, presented in such a way that value the history, the culture and the environment of a particular region. by Food’n Road

Why Food Travel?

What we want to highlight is that, in practice, when we combine travel with gastronomy, there is a whole set of experiences and learnings about the history, traditions, environment and local culture that go beyond taste. Realizing this is life-changing!

Food and Travel, an experience we never forget

On a trip, we want to have different experiences from our daily lives. These experiences become remarkable when you feel connected with them. That’s exactly how food plays its role.

The bond with food is a universal language, after all, no matter where you came from, food is certainly part of your history. That is why every travel memory always comes with a flavour .

The experience is for everyone

It is a mistake to think that this type of trip is only for those who like to (and can) eat in renowned restaurants, or visit expensive wineries. The food tourism industry is creative and aware of the interests of travellers.

Best of all, it is a democratic and flexible way of travelling. Nowadays, you can easily explore a gastronomic culture in different ways: in the countryside or in the city, individually or in groups, with luxury, with adventure. There is a broad range of options for all budgets and tastes.

We should not fail to mention that technology has also helped a lot of people who are looking for food experiences during a trip. Today, you can easily find online restaurant reviews, menu translation, independent guides, local dining platforms, and more.

For example, how about including a cooking class on your next trip? In addition to having fun while learning traditional dishes, you can cook these dishes when you return home, and remember the trip while sharing the experience with friends and family.

Want more ideas? Check out the list below with some examples of what to do on a culinary trip .

Activities in Food Tourism:

• Take a street food tour;
• Tasting of local dishes and beverages;
• Follow regional product routes (e.g. travel on wine or coffee routes);
• Eat at traditional restaurants;
• Share meals with local people;
• Participate in culinary events and festivals;
• Visit local markets;
• Learn about the production of food by visiting farms and artisan producers;
• Participate in cooking classes;
• Visit exhibitions that explain the history of local cuisine;
• Culinary expeditions with chefs and specialists.

If you want to understand each of these activities in detail, we have written another article that explains the main activities of food tourism .

How to Food Travel

You can choose between an immersive food trip, where the entire itinerary is centred on the culinary experiences of the destination, or just include some food tourism activities to complement your itinerary .

But, regardless of your travel style, there is a secret to unlock the full potential of food tourism: Curiosity!

Try to understand not only what people eat, but why they eat in one way or another, what are the local ingredients, what is the story behind the food they prepare. Ask, interact, taste and smile.

How to Plan a Culinary Trip

You can plan a culinary trip independently or through agencies. And whatever your choice is, Food’n Road will help you .

To begin with, get inspired by our Food and Travel blog and explore food destinations with guides and content from each country.

After choosing the destination of your next trip, we suggest two paths :

If you want to plan your itinerary independently, visit our marketplace to find and book experiences , we handpick the best food tourism activities and tours from around the world .

Now, if you want a true gastronomic journey adapted to your taste, we suggest our Food Travel Design service to make a completely customized itinerary for you .

It makes a difference to go beyond the plate

On a culinary trip, you end up learning a lot about the local culture and the best, directly with the residents, exchanging information, trying new flavours and having fun.

During our travels, something that always strikes us is to notice the similarities between the cuisine of distant countries and how the same ingredients are used in such different ways.

For example, have you ever wondered how important the chilli pepper is for Asian cuisine even though it is a native ingredient from the Americas? With each trip, a new discovery!

Food Travel is much more than travelling to eat

We can learn a lot on a trip like this, meet people with different realities from the ones we live in, see other lifestyles, and encourage the preservation of heritage and traditions .

By sharing the table with local people, listening to their stories and talking about typical dishes, you will feel part of the place and will appreciate aspects that were previously unknown. 

On your next trip, try to learn about the destination by exploring the local cuisine and I am sure you will never forget this experience.

Count on Food’n Road to plan your next culinary journey and have a nice trip!

• .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading mark{background:transparent;border-style:solid;border-width:0}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading mark.kt-highlight{color:#f76a0c;}.kb-adv-heading-icon{display: inline-flex;justify-content: center;align-items: center;}.single-content .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper h1, .single-content .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper h2, .single-content .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper h3, .single-content .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper h4, .single-content .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper h5, .single-content .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper h6 {margin: 1.5em 0 .5em;}.single-content .kadence-advanced-heading-wrapper+* { margin-top:0;} .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_c4edf0-15, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_c4edf0-15[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_c4edf0-15"]{padding-bottom:0px;margin-top:-20px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_c4edf0-15 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_c4edf0-15[data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading_c4edf0-15"] mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} We promote Food Tourism as a tool for connection and local development. Company Who we are

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Explore sell to government
• Ways you can sell to government
• How to access contract opportunities
• Conduct market research
• Register your business
• Certify as a small business
• Become a schedule holder
• Market your business
• Research active solicitations
• Respond to a solicitation
• What to expect during the award process
• Comply with contractual requirements
• Handle contract modifications
• Monitor past performance evaluations
• Explore real estate
• 3D-4D building information modeling
• Art in architecture | Fine arts
• Computer-aided design standards
• Commissioning
• Design excellence
• Engineering
• Project management information system
• Spatial data management
• Facilities operations
• Smart buildings
• Tenant services
• Utility services
• Water quality management
• Explore historic buildings
• Heritage tourism
• Historic preservation policy, tools and resources
• Historic building stewardship
• Videos, pictures, posters and more
• NEPA implementation
• Courthouse program
• Land ports of entry
• Prospectus library
• Regional buildings
• Renting property
• Visiting public buildings
• Real property disposal
• Reimbursable services (RWA)
• Rental policy and procedures
• Site selection and relocation
• For businesses seeking opportunities
• For federal customers
• For workers in federal buildings
• Explore policy and regulations
• Acquisition management policy
• Aviation management policy
• Information technology policy
• Real property management policy
• Relocation management policy
• Travel management policy
• Vehicle management policy
• Federal acquisition regulations
• Federal management regulations
• Federal travel regulations
• GSA acquisition manual
• Managing the federal rulemaking process
• Explore small business
• Explore business models
• Research the federal market
• Forecast of contracting opportunities
• Events and contacts
• Explore travel

Per diem rates

• Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
• State tax exemption
• Travel charge card
• Conferences and meetings
• E-gov travel service (ETS)
• Travel category schedule
• Federal travel regulation
• Travel policy
• Explore technology
• Cloud computing services
• Cybersecurity products and services
• Data center services
• Hardware products and services
• Professional IT services
• Software products and services
• Telecommunications and network services
• Work with small businesses
• Governmentwide acquisition contracts
• MAS information technology
• Software purchase agreements
• Cybersecurity
• Digital strategy
• Emerging citizen technology
• Federal identity, credentials, and access management
• Mobile government
• Technology modernization fund
• Explore about us
• Annual reports
• Mission and strategic goals
• Role in presidential transitions
• Get an internship
• Launch your career
• Elevate your professional career
• Discover special hiring paths
• Events and training
• Agency blog
• Congressional testimony
• GSA does that podcast
• News releases
• Leadership directory
• Staff directory
• Office of the administrator
• Federal Acquisition Service
• Public Buildings Service
• Staff offices
• Board of Contract Appeals
• Office of Inspector General
• Region 1 | New England
• Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
• Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
• Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
• Region 5 | Great Lakes
• Region 6 | Heartland
• Region 7 | Greater Southwest
• Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
• Region 9 | Pacific Rim
• Region 10 | Northwest/Arctic
• Region 11 | National Capital Region
• Per Diem Lookup

FY 2024 Per Diem Rates Now Available

Please note! The FY 2024 rates are NOT the default rates until October 1, 2023.

You must follow these instructions to view the FY 2024 rates. Select FY 2024 from the drop-down box above the “Search By City, State, or ZIP Code” or “Search by State" map. Otherwise, the search box only returns current FY 2023 rates.

Rates are set by fiscal year, effective Oct. 1 each year. Find current rates in the continental United States, or CONUS rates, by searching below with city and state or ZIP code, or by clicking on the map, or use the new per diem tool to calculate trip allowances .

Search by city, state, or ZIP code

Required fields are marked with an asterisk ( * ).

Search by state

Need a state tax exemption form.

Per OMB Circular A-123, federal travelers "...must provide a tax exemption certificate to lodging vendors, when applicable, to exclude state and local taxes from their hotel bills." GSA's SmartPay team maintains the most current state tax information , including any applicable forms.

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

Watch CBS News

Bark Air, a new airline for dogs, set to take its first flight

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: May 23, 2024 / 10:57 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

Bark Air, a new airline that puts dogs before their human companions, will take its first flight Thursday. Its sold-out maiden voyage will depart New York for Los Angeles at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

Bark, a pet company founded in 2011 that sells dog food and other products, announced the new aviation experience for canines in April. It's the second air travel service to market itself as catering to pets before human passengers, recognizing how stressful and uncomfortable commercial air travel can be for animals . United Kingdom-based public charter operator K9 jets also lets passengers' pets travel next to them in the aircraft cabin, versus in crates in commercial aircraft cargo holds.

"We are excited to take the insights we've learned over the years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies," Bark co-founder and CEO Matt Meeker said in April. "We believe this initiative will elevate awareness of our brand's mission and values, introduce more dog lovers to the Bark family, and help enrich the lives of dogs and their people around the world." 

The first flight from New York to Los Angeles Thursday is sold out, according to Bark's booking website. The company said it launched the air travel experience to make long-distance travel more comfortable for dogs that don't fit under the seats in front of passengers on commercial aircraft. 

"Too often, dogs are denied travel, confined to a duffle bag, or endure the stress of flying in cargo," the company said in announcing the flights in April.

Bark Air says it will offer "white paw service" to its canine customers — who'll even get to socialize with other dogs in what the company calls a "dog-centric" cabin configuration. Like first-class human passengers, dogs on board will be offered treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, a beverage of their choice and other surprises, the company said. 

Initially, the service will fly between the New York City metro area and Los Angeles, as well as from New York to London. More routes will be added soon, the company said. 

Bark Air will operate as a public charter service, flying on spacious Gulfstream G5 jets. It does not own or operate any aircraft. Each dog ticket comes with a pass for one human. Families may also purchase additional passes. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted aboard. There are no size or breed restrictions for dogs. 

The service doesn't come cheap. A one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles in June costs $6,000 for one dog and one human. A New York to London ticket costs $8,000. 

Meeker acknowledged the service's high cost in a May letter, but said he expects prices to come down as demand climbs.

"This is cost-prohibitive for most families, but less expensive than most options today. And this is also how most innovative products and services began," he said. "Televisions, telephones, VCRs and DVD players, to automobiles, train and boat travel, and, yes, even human air travel — all of these started with very high prices until demand was proven and the costs could be brought lower by serving the masses."

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

More from CBS News

Air Force unveils photos of new nuclear stealth bomber in flight

Elon Musk's xAI says it raised $6 billion to develop AI

How to watch New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers, Game 4

Military jet goes down near Albuquerque airport; pilot hospitalized

Ohio State navigation bar

• BuckeyeLink
• Search Ohio State

Staff Professional Development Funds

At Ohio State, you can combine opportunities and resources to create professional development that works for you. Staff Professional Development Funds (previously the Staff and Manager Career Development Grants) provide a way to identify development opportunities, request funding and expand your skills.

In partnership with the University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC), Human Resources offers the funds to staff who are interested in pursuing professional development over the next year.

Application and Funding Timeline

Applications for fiscal year 2025 are being accepted May 1 – 31, 2024, in HR Connection . Awarded funds are available for use through July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Funding Use

Staff Professional Development Funds can be used to cover any number of activities. Only an interest in development is needed to apply. You do not need to specify a specific course, program or use when applying for the funds.

Departments should use their discretion as to what defines professional development activities. All Ohio State-sponsored training is approved, including undergraduate, graduate, or professional course books or fees, MAPS courses, and/or the Staff Leadership Series. Other activities could include workshops, seminars, conference registration, travel, professional organization fees/membership, books, and/or educational/professional software.

You can select the amount you are requesting on the application. Each year there is a finite amount of funds available and as many eligible applications as possible will be funded.

• Individuals can request up to $1,000.
• Groups of two or more people can request up to $2,250.

Eligibility

All university and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center staff who have been employed at least one consecutive year as of the application close date (May 31, 2024) with at least a 0.75 FTE status are eligible to apply. Faculty and students are not eligible. Recipients of professional development funds are only eligible to receive funds every three years and eligibility will be confirmed prior to funding decisions.

• Apply in HR Connection by May 31, 2024.
• USAC will review completed applications to screen for eligibility.
• Recipients will be selected by a random drawing.
• Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by June 14, 2024.
• If awarded, recipients have 30 days to provide Workday worktag information (financial account), which should be gathered from award recipients in partnership with their fiscal team.
• Upon receipt of that information, requested grant funds will be transferred to the recipient’s department, and the recipient will work with their fiscal team to use the funds by June 30, 2025.

Examples of Approved and Unapproved Development

• Can include courses in a degree program or non-degree coursework

Not Approved:

• Taxes assessed on tuition for Ohio State coursework that exceeds the IRS educational benefit threshold
• Application fees

Trainings, Seminars and Conferences

• Ohio State-sponsored training, seminars, workshops and programs
• MAPS courses and/or the Staff Leadership Series
• Professional conference registration/fees
• Enrollment fees for courses, workshops, etc.

Materials and Supplies for Professional Activities

• Specialized computer software (must be approved by OTDI)
• Required course, workshop and training materials
• Office equipment and supplies
• Lab and/or clinical supplies
• Computer hardware
• Office, college or unit “swag”
• Rewards or gifts for self or team members

Food and Travel

• Costs associated with professional-related travel (food, parking, transportation, hotel, etc.)
• Personal travel (includes working vacations, missions trips, volunteer projects)
• Parking fees (unless associated with travel/per diem)
• Food for self or team members (unless associated with travel/per diem)

Coaching and Consulting

• One-time professional consultation
• Professional coaching
• Career coaching
• Self-promotion activities (personal coaching, personal branding consultants, etc.)
• Self-care activities (life coaching, therapy, etc.)
• Work-life balance activities

Miscellaneous Expenses

• Professional organization membership fees/dues
• Examinations for professional certifications
• Publication costs
• Invited speaker fees
• Processing fees

Not approved:

• Hiring additional staff

Awards received will follow all applicable tax guidelines and may be subject to taxation based on how the funds are utilized for professional development. Below are some taxable and nontaxable examples. However, this is not an all-inclusive list. If you have questions or concerns regarding the tax implications, reach out to [email protected] for further assistance.

• Professional development for current job
• Map courses.
• Professional conference registrations/Fees
• Seminars, workshops, etc
• Professional organization membership/fees for current position
• Invited speaker fees.
• Professional development to develop for new career.
• Tuition related to undergraduate, graduate, or professional course work (Ohio state or other institutions) that is not covered by Ohio states tuition assistance.
• Books, fees for college courses
• Anything not related to current position.

Additional Resources

• Staff Professional Development Funds Application
• Development Resources

• KSAT Insider
• KSAT Connect
• Entertainment

WEATHER ALERT

A heat advisory in effect for 4 regions in the area

Largest buc-ee’s ever to open in luling, the massive store is 75,000 square feet.

Rebecca Salinas , Digital Journalist

Buc-ee’s is about to open its largest store ever — and it’s only about an hour away from San Antonio.

Buc-ee’s will unveil its newest travel center in Luling on June 10, the company announced on Tuesday. Doors will open to the public at 6 a.m., with a ribbon cutting at noon.

Recommended Videos

The Luling store spans 75,000 square feet, making it the largest Buc-ee’s in the country . For comparison, the location in New Braunfels is about 66,000 square feet.

It was built next to the old Luling store, which opened in 2003 at 10070 Interstate 10. That was the brand’s first family travel center.

“We are thrilled to open the doors to the world’s largest Buc-ee’s travel center right here in the Great State of Texas,” Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s director of Real Estate and Development, said in a news release. “It’s particularly exciting, considering this is the Buc-ee’s that started it all, so we are really looking forward to celebrating with the incredible people of Luling.”

The new store has 120 fueling stations and all those same snack, drink and meal options, like Beaver nuggets and homemade fudge, as well as the brand’s famous clean restrooms.

The new store will employ at least 200 people, the release adds.

Consumer news:

• Recall Roundup: Dog food, electric ranges, Igloo bottles pulled for safety
• Planet Fitness offers free gym memberships for teens this summer

Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Rebecca salinas.

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.

Memorial Day Weekend 2024 deals and freebies you won't want to miss

Mdw kicks off on friday, may 24 and culminates in memorial day on monday, may 27., by maria chamberlain • published may 24, 2024 • updated on may 25, 2024 at 8:41 am.

Memorial Day, a federal holiday that honors and remembers those who died while serving in the United States Military, will soon have many celebrating a long three-day weekend.

It's often considered to be the kick-start to summer and, for shoppers looking for the best deals, a great opportunity to save some money.

Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7

While this isn't an exhaustive list of all the Memorial Day deals that are available, we have you covered with discounts on food and drinks, gas and even an American flag giveaway.

Oil prices bounce back from three-month lows but book a loss for the week

TSA prepares for the busiest summer travel season ever

Food & drinks.

On May 24, 7NOW delivery customers can take $10 off and order over $20 with code WEEKEND10.

Additionally, throughout the entire Memorial Day weekend from May 24 to May 27, subscribers of the 7NOW Gold Pass, the retailer’s subscription delivery service, can indulge in one free large pizza per day.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.

Get six free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings when you place an order more than $10 for delivery or takeout and use the promo code GOWINGS during checkout at BuffaloWildWings.com or in the Buffalo Wild Wings app. 

Dave & Buster's

Dave & Buster’s is offering new and existing rewards members 50% off food on Memorial Day (May 27). If you’re not already a rewards member, it’s  free to join . This weekend, you can also enjoy $5 wine on Saturday, May 25 , and $2 beers on Sunday, May 26.

Hooters is celebrating Memorial Day Weekend (May 24 – 27) with their Build Your Own Burger deal that includes fries and Dos Equis for $13.

Insomnia Cookies

Get a free classic cookie when you buy any ice cream in a cup in store and online all weekend long.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Insomnia Cookies (@insomniacookies)

Krispy Kreme

Get an Original Glazed dozen for $3.84 when you purchase any dozen or 16-ct Minis to share from May 24 - 27. To order online for delivery or pick-up, use code ROADTRIP to redeem. Mention the deal in-store or in the drive-thru.

$0 delivery is also available Memorial Day Weekend at participating shops. A $5 order minimum, delivery radius and service fees still apply.

Little Caesars

From now until May 26, get a large two-topping pizza for $7.99 at Little Caesars when you use the promo code TOPPINGS1 during checkout.

Long John Silver's

Available now for a limited time, get a $6 chicken basket, including 2 chicken planks, 2 hush puppies and a side at participating Long John Silver's restaurants. Not valid for delivery orders.

Marie Callender's

For the entire month of May, get a whole chocolate cream pie to-go at Marie Callender's for $13.99.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marie Callender’s Restaurants (@mariecallendersrestaurants)

Papa John's

Earn a free medium 1-topping pizza on your next order when you join  Papa Rewards and place an order between May 24 and May 26. The free pizza is available with a minimum purchase of $25 between May 28 and June 11.

To kick off Memorial Day Weekend, stop in at Starbucks for their "Summer App-y Days" on Friday, May 24 and get 50% off a drink between 12 - 6 p.m. local time.

To redeem the offer, you must download the app and be a Starbucks Rewards member. If you're not a member, from now until May 31, customers who download the Starbucks app and sign up by clicking on the ‘New Members Get 50% Off’ link* will receive 50% off one standard menu-sized handcrafted drink of their choice anytime during their first week as a new member.  

From now until June 11, when you buy one footlong sub, you can get another one 50% off when you buy online or in-app using code BOGO50.

TGI Fridays

From now through May 27, save 25% off platters, party trays and family meals when you use code 25OFF during checkout. Valid only on take-out orders.

It isn't Prime Day but Amazon is offering up to 40% off of hundreds of products as part of their Memorial Day Sale. We found Hydro Flask tumblers and bottles at 25% off, Levi's jeans for men and women up to 55% off, Beats Solo 4 headphones 25% off and tons more deals.

Mens' skincare and grooming brand, Marlowe, will offer 20% off sitewide all weekend long.

Rinna Beauty

From now until May 27, get a free firecracker lip gloss and a pool float with any purchase over $20.

Jewelry rental service, Rocksbox, is offering 15% off for the summer with the code SUMMERSHINE15.

Silver Jeans Co.

From now until May 27, take 40% off select styles. Free shipping and returns on all orders.

Target's "Hello Summer Sale" includes 30% off select swimwear, clothing and sandals for the whole family, up to 50% off patio, accessories and garden, and tons more savings on everyday items. Sale ends May. 27.

Walmart's Memorial Day fashion savings event , shoppers can score dresses and sandals from $10, tees from $5, swim from $8 and more. These fashion savings end at 3 p.m. ET on May 27.

Aside from fashion,  Walmart's Memorial Day 'rollbacks'  include deals on furniture, appliances, tech and more.

Entertainment

Stay out of the heat and enjoy a movie for 25% off at AMC, AMC Dine-In and AMC Classic theaters nationwide when you purchase matinee tickets before 4 p.m. The deal is available every day, including Memorial Day.

The San Diego theme park will honor military veterans by  offering them and three of their guests free admission  during Memorial Day weekend, May 24 - 27. Bonus: veterans can also purchase up to six additional tickets at 50% off and purchase four All-Day Dining Deals for just $150 (that’s 25% off the regular adult price).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SeaWorld San Diego (@seaworldsandiego)

Home Improvement

Ace hardware.

Be one of the first 240 customers at each participating Ace Hardware store to receive a free 8" x 12" American flag, while supplies last.

One per customer. No purchase necessary.

Brooklyn Bedding

Brookyln Bedding is offering 30% off sitewide with code MEMORIAL30 now through May 27.

With all the summer heat waves, you may need a new fan to keep you cool. Lasko will be offering up to 15% off popular fans on  Walmart  and  Amazon  now through June 1 st , including:

• From now until May 31 on Walmart:

o   15% OFF  Lasko 16" Oscillating Adjustable Pedestal Fan (S16500)

o   15% OFF  Lasko 20" Classic Box Fan (B20200)

• From May 25 - May 31 on Walmart:

o   15% OFF  Lasko 35" High Velocity Oscillating Tower Fan with Remote Control (U35115)

o   15% OFF:  Lasko Xtra Air 48" Oscillating Tower Fan with Remote Control (T48332)

• From May 19 - June 1 on Amazon: 

o   15% OFF:  Lasko Pinnacle 40” Tower Fans for Home (DST100)

McGee & Co.

McGee & Co. is offering up to 25% off sitewide from now until May 28.

RoomMates Decor

RoomMates Decor is offering up to 20% off sitewide from now until May 27.

WallPops is offering up to 25% off sitewide from now until May 27.

Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums – which includes more than 2,000 museums across the U.S. – offers free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel, including the U.S. National Guard and Reserve and their families from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blue Star Families (@bluestarfamilies)

Every little bit helps. To save on your summer road trip, fuel up at Pilot using their myRewards Plus app to save 10 cents off every gallon.

Everything Else

Beginning May 24 through May 27, military customers with a myWalgreens membership and valid military ID or proof of service will receive 20% off regularly priced items in-store at Walgreens or Duane Reade drugstores nationwide. Exclusions apply.

This article tagged under:

Language selection

• Français fr

Important notice

Temporary website updates are in progress to fix technical issues. For assistance, visit our Contact Us page.

Travelling with a pet

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced changes to the import requirements for dogs entering the United States . These changes will come into effect on August 1, 2024 and will impact dogs travelling from Canada to the United States. The CFIA is currently in the process of reviewing these requirements. Further information and guidance will be provided as soon as possible.

New import conditions for personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies starting September 28, 2023

Personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies will require an import permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency before travelling to Canada.

If you're planning on bringing your dog into Canada from September 28, 2023 onwards, prepare in advance and learn more about the import process .

Pets must meet specific requirements when travelling to Canada or another country. It is your responsibility to review all the requirements for your situation.

Some requirements must be completed at specific times and if not completed correctly or on time your pet may not be eligible to travel and be refused entry.

As soon as you know your travel details, contact your local veterinarian to assist with the pet travel process. Requirements could include obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, testing, or administering medications.

Only dogs, cats and ferrets qualify as pets by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Check requirements for other animals if you're travelling with a non-traditional pet.

Travelling to Canada from another country (import requirements)

Requirements for bringing an animal into Canada apply to the following situation:

• animals entering Canada permanently
• animals in transit through Canada on their way to a final destination
• animals entering Canada for a temporary visit
• Canadian animals returning to Canada

Travelling from Canada to another country (export requirements)

The country you're travelling to may have requirements your pet must meet before they can enter the country. Export requirements are determined by each country and can change frequently. Every time you plan to travel with your pet, it is your responsibility to check the requirements and allow enough time to get your pet ready to travel.

• Pets (dogs, cats and ferrets)
• All other animals

Related links

• Travelling to the United States with a pet
• Look up import requirements (AIRS)

Money blog: 'Stealth tax' on Britons' incomes to stay until 2028

A squeeze on people's incomes due to frozen tax thresholds will continue until 2028, with the Tories and Labour confirming they wouldn't end the "stealth tax". Read this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news below, and leave your thoughts in the comments box.

Thursday 30 May 2024 19:57, UK

• 'Stealth tax' on incomes to remain until 2028, Hunt says
• Think twice before buying clothes from Zara before your holiday
• Scotland to introduce tourist taxes
• Prospective parents putting off having children by cost of living crisis

Essential reads

• The savings account that could bag you a free £8,500 in five years  
• Head chef at UK's number one gastropub shares favourite cheap pasta recipe
• Women in Business : 'A truck unloaded a £600 car that her son bought on eBay thinking it was a toy' - the schoolgate stories that led to GoHenry
• Money Problem : 'My mortgage lender is ending my two-year fix and I haven't been in the house for two years - can they do this?'
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

Energy prices are expected to rise again in the autumn and last week's announcement of a cut in the cap from July should not be taken as a "sign of stability", the head of the Energy Saving Trust has said.

"Confirmation that energy prices are coming down for the next quarter is very welcome," Mike Thornton said.

"However, no one should take this lower price cap as a sign of stability."

He added: "Forecasts show that energy prices are set to rise again this autumn and will be staying high overall for the next decade."

He urged the next UK government - to be decided in the general election on 4 July - to focus on policies that "support people to use less energy and install cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in their homes".

The cap will fall to £1,568 a year from 1 July - a drop of £122 from the previous quarter. 

McDonald's customers have taken to social media to complain about a "naughty" detail in one of its new deals. 

The fast food giant started a new mix and match deal this week - which allows shoppers to pick up three items for just £3 in store.

However, those ordering online have found the price increase to £4 for the same deal. 

Writing in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group, one user shared a screenshot of her My McDoanld's app, writing: "It's gone from 3 for £3 to 3 for £4. Which is odd, or is that cause it's on the app."

Another branded the price difference "naughty". 

McDonald’s has since confirmed that this price is correct on app.

The increase is due to delivery fees charged by couriers like Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat - and is fairly standard across the industry. 

Sony Music is reportedly in talks to purchase the entirety of rock band Queen's music catalogue in a deal mooted to be worth some $1bn (around £800m). 

Bloomberg reports  the company has partnered with another anonymous investor to engage Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and the estate of Freddie Mercury over a sale that would be the largest of its kind.

Queen Productions Ltd, of which the bandmates and Mercury's estate are equal shareholders, recorded revenues of $52m in the year that ended in September 2022. 

This comes after the catalogue of Bruce Springsteen was acquired by Sony in 2021, while rival Warner Music bought David Bowie's songbook for around $250m in 2022, as industry giants battle to invest in songwriting catalogues. 

They are seen by many as attractive investments as the music can be used in future films, advertisements and on the radio - which all produce royalties for the rights owners. 

A squeeze on people's incomes due to frozen tax thresholds will continue until 2028 under Tory plans, Jeremy Hunt has confirmed.

Rishi Sunak introduced a freeze on tax-free personal allowance thresholds (the amount you can earn before you start paying tax) when he was chancellor back in 2021. In his autumn 2022 budget, Mr Hunt extended the time it would need to be in place from 2026 to 2028.

The frozen rates mean many have failed to feel the benefit of a the national insurance cut which kicked in this year.

The Office for Budget Responsibility also estimates the static rates will drag an additional four million people into paying tax by 2028 and push three million into a higher tax bracket. This is because wages will go up alongside inflation but the threshold won't. 

The policy is often referred to as a "stealth tax".

Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme today: "The tax rises that happened as a result of the pandemic and the energy shock, these two giant shocks, will stay for their allotted time period."

But he reiterated the Conservatives' pledge to end the freeze after 2028, saying: "I can absolutely undertake that the threshold freeze that we introduced until 2028 will not continue after that."

The Tories have said they will unfreeze the thresholds for pensioners if they win the election.

Labour has also refused to commit to unfreezing overall tax thresholds.

Sir Keir Starmer said earlier that he believed the tax burden on working people was "too high" but that his party was not going to "make commitments that we cannot afford".

"Therefore I'm very clear about the tax that will remain and will be locked and where we cannot make those commitments," he said.

What are the tax thresholds and what do they mean?

The personal tax allowance is frozen at £12,570. You don't pay income tax on anything you earn below that - anything above is taxed at the 20% base rate. At the same time, the higher rate has been frozen at £50,271 - anything above that is taxed at 40%.

Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, said the personal allowance, if it had been inflation-linked since 2021-22, would be forecast to rise to £15,989 by 2028 - nearly £3,500 higher than the frozen threshold.

Tourists headed to Scotland for holidays will face a tourist tax for hotels, bed and breakfasts and holiday lets.

The Scottish Parliament passed the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill two days ago, meaning local authorities can set a charge for overnight accommodation.

According to the bill, the fee will be a percentage of the cost of a hotel or other room.

For instance, a 1% levy on a £200 booking means a visitor would pay £2 in tourist tax.

However, any charges or levies will not come into effect until spring 2026, as councils will first have to consult local businesses before carrying out an 18-month implementation period.

Those receiving disability benefits will not pay any charges, with children and young people also exempt.

Ministers will also have the power to set a cap on the number of nights where a levy would apply.

It will also be up to councils if they want to put a charge in place - but with Holyrood research suggesting 17 of Scotland's 32 councils backing the plans, it is likely some visitors will be hit by charges.

Scotland's employment and investment minister Tom Arthur said on Tuesday the charge would be a " force for good", suggesting it "has the potential to be an important tool enabling investment in the local economy, and supporting an important industry".

However, Scottish Conservatives argued there needed to be a more "robust" exemption scheme, with housing spokesman Miles Briggs saying: "Scots will be pretty unhappy when they realise that they will have to pay a 10% tax to stay in a hotel when their house is flooded."

The new law means Scotland joins Manchester, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in charging tourists to stay the night.

Manchester's £1-a-night City Visitor Charge was introduced last April, and is estimated to have raised around £2.8m in its first year.

European hotspots like Barcelona and Venice have also introduced tourist taxes, with the Spanish city charging visitors €3.25 if they're staying in official accommodation.

Workers posing as Disney favourites such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Snow White in California have formed a union - Magic United.

There are roughly 1,700 performers and assistants who help to bring popular characters to life at Disneyland near Los Angeles.

Disney has faced allegations of not paying them a living wage, despite many facing exorbitant housing costs and commuting long distances.

Parade performers and character actors earn a base pay of $24.15 (£19) an hour, up from $20 (£15.75) before January.

Read on here... 

Nike is celebrating a partial victory over rival brand Adidas in court, as it has been permitted to put three stripes on some of its clothing designs in Germany.

The decision came during a second appeal hearing between the two sportswear brands at a regional court in Dusseldorf.

The court previously barred Nike from using two or three stripes on five trouser designs due to a lawsuit filed by Adidas in 2022, which is on a mission to protect its trademark three-stripe design.

Following the appeal, Nike can now use the stripes on four disputed trouser designs, while a ban for one is still in place.

Adidas has filed dozens of lawsuits and signed hundreds of settlement agreements related to its three-tripe design since 2008.

The Conservatives and Labour have ruled out VAT hikes if either party wins the election.

Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, said tax rises on products and services would "hammer families' finances", while shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said Labour did not plan to raise tax, national insurance or VAT.

The pledges come after the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the next UK government would face the toughest fiscal inheritance in 70 years.

Ms Reeves said: "I want taxes on working people to be lower, not higher."

New tax rises were restricted to those policies already announced, such as a plan to charge 20% VAT on private school fees, she said.

Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Hunt said: "We won't increase the main rate of VAT for the duration of the next Parliament."

He continued: "A VAT increase will hammer families' finances and push inflation back up."

He urged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to make a similar commitment "on camera".

Follow all the latest election campaign news live in the Politics Hub ...

People who bank with TSB have had trouble getting into the mobile app this morning.

Many took to social media to report difficulty logging in to their accounts.

The official X account of TSB, responding to several complaints about the app being down earlier, said: "We're aware that customers are experiencing issues with our digital services. We're sorry for any inconvenience and are working hard to resolve it."

One customer reported that the app had remained down overnight:

In an updated statement, the bank said the issue has now been resolved.

"We're sorry for any inconvenience it caused," it said.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

Shares in Auto Trader have rocketed more than 13% to a record high this morning.

It comes after the company reported a bumper set of results for the 2023/24 financial year - including a 26% rise in group operating profits.

The online car marketplace says recent demand has been strong - and it expects its performance to continue.

Dr Martens is also up on the FTSE 250 index - despite revealing it suffered an almost 43% fall in pre-tax profits during the 12 months to March (read more below...)

Its shares climbed more than 9% at one point earlier this morning, but have since eased back to almost 6%.

The British footwear brand has said it is "confident" it can revive its fortunes and says it plans to make savings of up to £25m to turn things around.

Elsewhere, the FTSE 100 is pretty flat - it opened 0.2% down but is currently up by a tiny 0.03%.

Mining firm Anglo American is among the companies hit by falls this morning.

Its shares have dropped by just over 1% after its rival BHP Group walked away from a proposed £38.5bn takeover of the company.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.27 US or €1.17 (or €1.1753, to be precise).

It comes after the pound reached a 19-month high against the Euro at one point yesterday - with £1 equalling €1.1784 - before later dropping back down.

The cost of a barrel of benchmark Brent crude has dipped slightly compared to yesterday. The price is $83 (£65).

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

• company profile
• mission & vision
• Minds behind TFS
• Awards & accolades
• OUR PRESENCE
• Our Expertise
• International Brands
• Bespoke Concepts

Local Hero Brands

• In the News
• Video Gallery
• Press Releases

With a decade long legacy of crafting and operating our own brands, starting with Copper Chimney in early 1970's, TFS continues to elaborate its product portfolio adapting to changing times. With over 30 in-house concepts in varied formats of QSRs, Cafe Shops, Casual Dining and many more, our brands are some of the most recognizable in the industry as well as the public.

INTERNATIONAL Brands

Bespoke concepts.

Curry Kitchen

Curry Kitchen, located at T3 at New Delhi International Airport, offers the finest Indian fusion cuisine designed to appeal to Indian food lovers. It also offers a wide range of local food from North India catering to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian palettes. Curry Kitchen’s simple yet innovate combo meal offerings are a true delight for the lovers of authentic Indian fare. The outlet’s Biryani promotion is most anticipated by frequent travellers while its Indian ‘thali’ or meal combo is the hottest selling item in the menu. A mouth-watering assortment of aromatic Indian curries such as soft, creamy paneer butter masala, steaming Dal Makhni to succulent pieces of Chicken Tikka (grilled chicken), lightly marinated – the menu has been carefully developed to satisfy varying tastes.

'Cafeccino' at Mumbai’s Domestic Terminal and New Delhi’s new integrated Terminal has now become the most sought after hangout. Cafeccino started its operation on April 2010 in Mumbai offering the customers a friendly and relaxed environment to grab a quick bite. With a fully stocked coffee bar, sandwiches and desserts freshly prepared in-house, young domestic travellers find it as the perfect place to enjoy a quick coffee with great accompaniments.

The Noodle Work is all about noodles. An exciting, vibrant and contemporary oriental experience set in a friendly, relaxed environment defines Noodle Wok. The menu includes a wide assortment of appetizers, noodle bowls tossed with crunchy vegetables – all cooked fresh to order – using the traditional wok stir fry style. Service at Noodle Wok is quick and friendly – which means our staff ensures that customers have their meals served fresh in record time. The live dimsum counter is the highlight at the outlet, attracting passengers with the aroma of the freshly made hot, steamed little packages filled with vegetarian or non-vegetarian fillings.

Swich’s grab and go concept complements well with the fast paced environment. "Swich” is not just about sandwiches but also about salads, pastas, juices and smoothies that are made fresh on order. They offer made-to-order hot and cold sandwiches keeping in mind the varied global taste. The Turkey Artichoke, Salmon Bagel, Lemony Tuna, Caesar Green, Roasted Veggie etc. are some of the unique sandwiches Swich has to offer. The menu also boasts of delicious ice and yogurt based smoothies and unique milkshakes like 'Oh my Cookie', 'I am going peanuts', etc that suit the passengers' appetite.

29 May 2024

Meet The Team: Elizabeth Hupert Delivers World-Class Experiences for Lifelong Learning Participants

E lizabeth Hupert serves as the Director of Program Operations at Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning (EELL) and has been a part of the Darden family since 1996. Hupert and her team are the backbone of our programs, ensuring they run expertly and that participants are guaranteed to have a world-class learning experience for which Darden is known. She shares about her journey at Darden, the next level experience her team provides, her favorite part of the job and more.

How did you come to Darden and how long have you been here?

I came to Darden in March of 1996, and except for two and a half years, I have been here ever since. During my entire tenure at Darden, I’ve been exclusively with Executive Education. Prior to Darden, I had a career in logistical management, both in the entertainment industry and at a large global credentialing organization in the financial services sector. It was in these roles that I developed a love for organizing events, and when I found the opportunity at Darden, I realized it would be the perfect fit. Darden feels like home.

How has your role evolved during your time at Darden?

Since joining Darden, I’ve held seven different titles, but they have all been in operations and program management. I’ve been leading the operations team for four years now. As Darden EELL  has grown and evolved, so has the level of responsibility in operations and the depth of our overall impact. As our program delivery model has evolved, as our innovation in design has evolved, and as our technology has evolved, so have these positions and the skills required to support our offerings and the clients we serve. We wear many hats, juggle many balls, and do whatever is required to ensure programs run successfully and yield the highest outcome.

How does the Operations team make the Darden experience so memorable and impactful for participants?

We take pride in providing effortless immersive learning. Every comfort and tool that could make the experience the best it can be is available to our guests. We create an environment that allows participants to maximize their learning experience at every level. When everything is taken care of for them — from lodging to meals, transportation, materials, to being a smiling face in the morning, and ultimately being the trusted primary resource for all they require to feel supported during their stay, they can take full advantage of their time at Darden. We anticipate their needs, being able to as seamlessly and as flawlessly as possible, make corrections or adjustments. Through everything we do, we build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with participants and always look forward to when a participant returns to Darden for another program. Our commitment is to always provide a world-class program, so they confidently return to Darden as they work towards their career goals and continue their learning journey.

We also could not achieve this without our amazing community partnerships with the facilities, classroom support, technology support, food and beverage teams, and The Forum Hotel — who all contribute significantly to our collective success!

I am inspired by the incredible diversity of organizations, industries, and cultures represented in our programs. We build relationships with people from all over the world and are fortunate to learn from those we serve as well. - Elizabeth Hupert, Director of Program Operations, Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of what I do is getting to know the participants – learning their story. We don’t have to wait for the evaluations to come back when participants leave the classroom on their final day – we immediately know what their experience has meant to them. We see our impact in action!

In The Executive Program (TEP) , we host each year’s cohort for two weeks in the fall and then they return for another two weeks in the spring. Being able to welcome them again is like greeting an old friend. We also are privileged to see the resilience of the relationships and networks we have assisted in fostering. An example of this is a participant from the TEP Class of 2001 who I’m still in touch with today. I regularly hear from him and receive updates about how he’s still strongly connected with classmates from his cohort well over 20 years later.

I am also inspired by the incredible diversity of organizations, industries, and cultures represented in our programs. We build relationships with people from all over the world and are fortunate to learn from those we serve as well.

Are there any impactful moments or memories that stand out to you from over the years?

There have been so many amazing moments, and I often feel overly blessed with wonderful memories and opportunities I have experienced both personally and professionally through my work at Darden. For me, I would say supporting our international participants is by far one of the most gratifying aspects of my role. Many of them come to Darden (and the US) and can find themselves far outside of their comfort zone for a variety of reasons. My team and I put extra focus on checking in and making sure that they’re acclimating well – that dietary needs and preferences are being met, that they are recovering successfully from travel and resting appropriately, that they are not having excessive difficulty with a language barrier, and are feeling comfortable, heard and engaged in the classroom. Imagining ourselves in a similar place puts us in a perpetual mindset of attentiveness that builds trust and confidence with our clients.

I fondly remember a woman from Japan many years ago that struggled greatly during the beginning of her TEP experience, and on the last day of the program, she came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and thanked me for everything, expressing that she couldn’t have made it through without the care and courtesy she received. It meant so much to know that I and our team contributed to providing a such nurturing and empowering space for her so far from home.

When we create opportunities for learners who might not have had a way to “get here” so they can “go there” in their career, it never gets old to me, and is the greatest reward.

Why is lifelong learning important to you?

None of us will ever know it all. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and feel like I have been able to learn side-by-side with the participants that we’ve welcomed. I appreciate being in the classroom and hearing about hot trends, current challenges and witnessing the bloom of great ideas and calls to action that will create positive impact for individuals, organizations and beyond.

There will always be change and you must be able to adapt to it and embrace it. I will always be a huge advocate for lifelong learning both personally and professionally and am incredibly proud of our mission and the work we do at Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning!

Related Posts

15 December 2022

7 June 2023

20 January 2023