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Business Insider
7 hours ago
- General
- Business Insider
I tried barbecue burgers from 3 fast-food chains and ranked them from worst to best
I tried barbecue burgers from Burger King, Shake Shack, and Smashburger. Burger King had the most classic barbecue burger with lettuce, tomato, and bacon. But I liked Shake Shack's burger topped with fried onions the most. Tart, crunchy pickles, fried onions, and a hearty slathering of tangy, smoky barbecue sauce: that's what the best barbecue burgers are made of. For many people, barbecue sauce is a summer staple. The flavor profile is everywhere, from cookouts to the drive-thru line. But when it comes to which fast-food chain delivers the best bang for your buck with its barbecue burger, that's a little more up in the air. I tried barbecue burgers from Burger King, Shake Shack, and Smashburger to determine which chain offered the best taste and value. Here's how three fast-food barbecue burgers ranked, from worst to best. My least favorite of the three burgers I tried came from Smashburger. Smashburger, a Colorado-based chain now found across 34 states, sells a BBQ bacon smash burger for $10.86, excluding tax and fees, at my nearest location in Brooklyn, New York. It was the cheapest of the three burgers I tried. The burger came topped with pieces of crispy onions. The burger came topped with cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, crispy fried onions, and barbecue sauce. Beneath a pile of crispy onion bits, I could clearly see the barbecue sauce, although overall, the burger looked and felt a little dry when I picked it up. I loved the bacon on this burger, but the burger was let down by an overcooked patty and the onions. The crispy onions seemed to soak up a lot of the moisture from the beef patty and the sauce in my mouth, leaving a dry bite. The burger patty was also dry and well-done. I'm not a fan of any burger cooked past medium, so this well-done patty simply wasn't doing it for me, but how a burger is cooked is a matter of personal preference. The cheese on the burger I tried also wasn't melted enough to provide enough moisture to counteract the dryness of the burger. However, the bacon on this burger blew me away. It was smoky and perfectly cooked. The barbecue burger from Burger King landed squarely in the middle of my ranking. I ordered the BBQ bacon Whopper Jr. and added cheese. It cost $11.09, excluding tax and fees, which I thought was a little pricey for a junior-sized burger. The burger had classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion. The burger was served on a sesame seed bun and topped with barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, pickles, and strips of crispy bacon. The condiments, cheese, and juicy tomato added a lot of moisture to this burger without becoming soggy. I would order this burger again, but it didn't blow me away. The bacon was crispy, though not as flavorful as the bacon from the other two burgers I tried. However, I thought this was a great classic cheeseburger. The onions, lettuce, and tomato were fresh, and the beef was juicy while still retaining a smoky, chargrilled flavor. However, it tasted similarly to a classic Whopper, and I didn't get a strong barbecue flavor from it. It was a classic cheeseburger, but I was looking for more barbecue flavor. My favorite burger came from Shake Shack. Shake Shack, which has US locations in 30 states and Washington, DC, offers two different kinds of barbecue burgers: the Smoky Classic BBQ burger and the Carolina BBQ burger with fried pickles. I ordered the classic version, which is topped with fried onions and bacon. It cost $13.29, excluding tax and fees, making it the most expensive burger of the bunch. The burger came piled high with toppings and a hearty slathering of tangy barbecue sauce. The barbecue sauce evenly coated the soft, fluffy bun and all of the toppings. I was impressed by the size and thickness of the pickle slices, as well as the amount of crispy onions and bacon stacked on top of the burger patty. The cheese was perfectly melted, and the onions were crispy and mouthwatering. The cheese was evenly coated on every inch of the thin, crispy patty, and the bun held everything together while still retaining its softness. This Shake Shack burger blew me away. It tasted restaurant-quality. Though thin and crispy, the burger was still perfectly cooked at a medium temperature, and the onions, though crispy, weren't hard, crunchy, and dry like the onions on the Smashburger cheeseburger I tried. Rather than bits of cut-up onions that didn't have much flavor, these onions were more similar to onion rings, and instantly transported me back to summer carnivals and roadside stands. The pickles added a tart, crunchy flavor, and this was the only burger where I really tasted the barbecue sauce. It was smoky yet light and had a slight vinegar taste that balanced out the richer flavors of the cheese, beef, and bacon. Though it was the most expensive burger, I thought it was well worth the slightly higher price.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
From Backyards to Parks: A New Spin on the Anythink Libraries Community Concert Series for Summer 2025
THORNTON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anythink Libraries, the award-winning Colorado public library system, is excited to launch its new Community Concert Series, a fresh celebration of live music and neighborhood connection across Adams County. Building on the spirit of Anythink's former Backyard Concert Series, the reimagined program brings live music to parks and public spaces across Adams County through local partnerships—culminating in a special library-hosted concert at Anythink's newest location. The Community Concert Series reflects Anythink's ongoing commitment to create inclusive experiences that bring people together, spark creativity and build meaningful relationships Share Free and open to all, the Community Concert Series showcases a diverse lineup of Colorado-based musicians and invites families, friends and neighbors to come together in joyful, welcoming outdoor spaces. With food trucks, activities, giveaways, live music and more, each event offers a relaxed, festival-style atmosphere where residents can connect with each other while listening to top local talent. 'This series is about expanding Anythink's reach in Adams County,' says Ashley Garst, Projects and Events Manager at Anythink. 'We're excited to be partnering with the Northglenn Arts & Humanities Foundation and Hyland Hills Parks & Recreation District to bring live music into neighborhood spaces. These new locations and collaborations allow us to create joy and a sense of belonging while connecting with more people in a tangible way.' The Community Concert Series reflects Anythink's ongoing commitment to create inclusive experiences that bring people together, spark creativity and build meaningful relationships. With performances at three different neighborhood locations, each concert is a unique expression of the local community it serves. 'The heart of Anythink is in creating memorable experiences for our customers,' says Suzanne McGowan, Director of Customer Experience at Anythink. 'By celebrating Colorado's vibrant music scene and inviting everyone to join us out in the community, we're strengthening the connections that make our neighborhoods thrive.' Community members are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and their dancing shoes. Community Concert Series Schedule All events are free and open to the public; no registration required. Thursday, July 10 | 7 pm | Festival Lawn in Northglenn, 1 E. Memorial Parkway Live music by Racyne Parker | co-hosted with Northglenn Arts Thursday, Aug. 7 | 7 pm | Clear Creek Valley Park, 3700 W. 58th Place, Arvada Live music by The Corporation | co-hosted with Hyland Hills Friday, Sept. 12 | 5 pm | Anythink Thornton Community Center, 2211 Eppinger Blvd. Live music by 2MX2 and Monica the Great Learn more about the performers at To get a full rundown of summer library programs and events for Anythinkers of all ages, visit About Anythink Libraries Anythink, an award-winning public library system, serves the residents of Adams County, Colorado, via its seven branches and a bookmobile. With a mission to 'Open Doors for Curious Minds,' Anythink is a catalyst for innovation and provides comfortable spaces, accessible resources and hands-on programming for all ages. Guided by values of creativity, optimism, compassion and lifelong learning, the library system is committed to representing the diversity of Adams County and creating a sense of belonging for everyone. Anythink's digital resources are available 24/7—including Anythink World, the library's custom virtual experience platform in the metaverse. The library's customer experience also extends to specialty spaces and hands-on programs like The Studio, the Nature Library and mySummer. Whether you're exploring a new topic or mastering a skill, discover something new at Anythink. Learn more:
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Airport shuttle company abruptly closes leaving travelers stranded, seeking refunds
Airport shuttle company abruptly closes leaving travelers stranded, seeking refunds A Colorado-based airport shuttle company has shut down and abruptly closed its doors, leaving travelers stranded after announcing an uptick in insurance costs and airport fees among other issues. "With a heavy heart, we've made the decision to shut down," Eight Black Airport Shuttle, based in Longmont, post on its website June 13. The municipality in Boulder and Weld counties is about 45 miles northwest of the Denver International Airport. "Like many transportation companies, we've been hit hard by a perfect storm a significant increase in insurance premiums, rising airport and regulatory fees, and steep capital costs," the company wrote. "In the shared ride model, where affordability matters most, we simply can't raise prices enough to cover those costs while still offering the frequency and schedule that our customers expect." According to its website, the business acquired Green Ride Boulder and Longmont's shared ride operation in 2022. The Centennial State's shuttle services are regulated by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. How to get an airport shuttle refund According to its website, the dissolved business was "actively working on a system to manage the refund process." "It is my full intention to refund every single customer, no matter how long it takes," Simon Chen, the business owner wrote. "I know this situation has been a letdown for you and for the Boulder County community." To initiate a refund, fill out this form: Voucher Refund Request Form This is a developing story. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ball Corporation Stock: Is BALL Underperforming the Consumer Cyclical Sector?
With a market cap of $15.3 billion, Ball Corporation (BALL) is a global leader in aluminum packaging solutions. The company supplies beverage cans, aerosol containers, aluminum cups, and other metal packaging products to major multinational brands in the beverage, personal care, and household goods industries. Companies valued at more than $10 billion are generally considered 'large-cap' stocks, and Ball Corporation fits this criterion perfectly. In addition to its packaging business, Ball Corporation also provides aerospace technologies and services to both government and commercial customers. Trump Is Giving Tesla's Robotaxis a Leg Up Ahead of June 22. Should You Buy TSLA Stock Now? Dear Nvidia Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 16 The Trump Family Is Betting Big on Mobile Phones. Should Apple Stock Investors Be Worried? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! Shares of the Westminster, Colorado-based company pulled back 17.2% from its 52-week high of $68.12. Shares of BALL have returned 8.7% over the past three months, outperforming the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLB) marginal rise over the same time frame. Longer term, BALL stock is up 2.4% on a YTD basis, outpacing XLB's over 4% gain. However, shares of the metal packaging company have dipped 9.4% over the past 52 weeks, a steeper decline than XLB's 2.3% drop over the same time frame. The stock has been trading below its 200-day moving average since November last year. Yet, it has climbed above its 50-day moving average since late April. Despite Ball Corporation reporting better-than-expected Q1 2025 adjusted EPS of $0.76 and revenue of $3.1 billion, shares fell marginally on May 6 likely due to a sharp year-over-year decline in GAAP EPS to $0.63, driven by the absence of aerospace business income post its February 2024 sale. Investors may have also reacted cautiously to the modest volume growth in key segments, only low-single-digit increases in North and South America and lingering concerns about geopolitical uncertainty and aluminum price volatility. Nevertheless, rival Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) has lagged behind BALL stock. Shares of Smurfit Westrock have declined 21.1% on a YTD basis. Despite the stock's underperformance relative to the sector over the past year, analysts are moderately optimistic on BALL. The stock has a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy' from the 14 analysts covering the stock, and as of writing, it is trading below the mean price target of $61.23. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Eight Black Airport shuttle shutdown: Passengers left stranded, company offers refund — all you need to know
Eight Black Airport Shuttle, a Colorado-based company, which is a popular transportation company operating in the United States, abruptly posted a shutdown notice on its social media handles on June 13, leading to major passenger hassles, leading them getting stranded out of the blue. The company cited getting hit by a significant increase in insurance premiums, rising airport and regulatory fees, and steep capital costs, as major reasons for the company's closure after being a thriving shared ride service in the country. The company took to social media to write, 'This is a hard message to write. Eight Black Airport Shuttle, like Longmont Shuttle and Boulder Shuttle before it, has always been local, built from the ground up to serve our Boulder County neighbors. We took pride in providing reliable, shared airport rides from homes, hotels, and businesses across the region, including through our Hub in Longmont. In 2022, we expanded our reach by acquiring Green Ride Boulder and Longmont's shared ride operation. That chapter allowed us to grow, serve more people, and keep shared ride service alive in our community. But like many transportation companies, we've been hit hard by a perfect storm—a significant increase in insurance premiums, rising airport and regulatory fees, and steep capital costs. In the shared ride model, where affordability matters most, we simply can't raise prices enough to cover those costs while still offering the frequency and schedule that our customers expect. So with a heavy heart, we've made the decision to shut down Eight Black Airport Shuttle. Our last day of service will be today, Friday, June 13, 2025,' "We're grateful beyond words for the thousands of people who've ridden with us, shared feedback, and trusted us to get them to and from the airport over the years. This service has meant the world to us—and saying goodbye is painful. Thank you for being part of the ride," the post continued. Meanwhile, the company is currently offering refunds to passengers who had already pre-booked their services with the company. A Voucher Refund Request Form has been issued by the company for this purpose. The form's description reads, "Please submit the below information to initiate your voucher request. Please note that we will be doing our best to refund our loyal customers as quickly as possible, but it could take up to 12 months to complete all requests."
