（文/朱道义 编辑/张广凯） "被资本做局了"，是当下很火的一句网络热梗。 8月31日，有网友称，在魏家凉皮西安市明丰伯马都店就餐时，发现可乐机上有一只老鼠，"之前刷到过魏家，下了高铁就近找一个吃，吃完发现一个老鼠就 这么水灵灵地喝可乐。""已经找经理退款。"根据该网友发布的照片，一只老鼠俯卧在可乐机接水处，且配合其描述，让人不难判断"涉事鼠"是活的。 而该门店工作人员则回应称，已排查所有监控，"消杀人员来查了所有的轨迹，我们店里是根本没有一只老鼠的，连老鼠的活动轨迹都没有，前厅后厨全部 排查了一遍。"该工作人员还称，门店夜间的监控只要拍到像苍蝇、小飞虫等活物，就会发出警报。 随后9月3日及4日，据新京报、南方都市报等多家媒体报道，魏家凉皮品牌的相关负责人证实确有此事，事发时间为8月31日中午，并表示，"已经报警处 理，警方已立案调查了。目前初步通过监控视频和当时现场情况判断，我们怀疑这是一起'恶性事件'，也就是有顾客故意为之。" 顾客、商家、品牌方三方描述的不一致，让事件显得更为扑朔迷离。彼时，警方的通报尚未发出，"涉事鼠"的死活就成为验证"谁在撒谎"的问题核心，中国 食品产业分析师朱丹蓬指出，"若老鼠是活 ...

Group 1 - Beef prices in the U.S. have surged significantly, with ground beef prices increasing by 12% year-over-year and premium steak prices rising by 8%, marking historical highs [1][3] - The U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in 72 years, with only 86.7 million head of cattle reported, leading to increased reliance on beef imports, which exceed 4 million pounds annually [3] - Tariffs imposed on Brazilian beef, a crucial component of the American diet, threaten to disrupt supply chains, as U.S. meat processors blend imported lean beef with domestic fatty beef for products like hamburgers [3][4] Group 2 - The agricultural sector in the U.S. is facing challenges, with 90% of tomatoes and significant portions of fresh fruits and vegetables being imported, highlighting vulnerabilities in domestic production [3] - The impact of tariffs extends beyond beef, affecting various food items such as coffee and orange juice, which are heavily sourced from Brazil, indicating a broader "food inflation" crisis [4] - The current trade policies are pushing key suppliers like Brazil to seek new markets, potentially destabilizing the U.S. food supply chain and increasing costs for consumers [3][4]

Group 1 - The U.S. will impose a 30% tariff on goods imported from the EU and Mexico starting August 1, marking a significant escalation in trade tensions [1][3] - Trump has sent letters to 25 trade partners, with new tariffs ranging from 20% to 50%, creating greater uncertainty in the global economic landscape [1][3] - The EU and Mexico are under pressure to negotiate, but Trump has indicated that tariffs may increase if no agreement is reached [3][4] Group 2 - The EU has suspended plans to impose a digital tax on U.S. tech giants in an effort to reach a compromise, but the U.S. continues to demand high tariffs on key EU exports [4][5] - European leaders, including French President Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, have expressed strong opposition to the proposed tariffs and are preparing countermeasures [5][6] Group 3 - The German automotive industry, particularly BMW and Volkswagen, is expected to be severely impacted by the tariffs, along with French luxury goods and Italian machinery [6] - Mexico is seeking diplomatic solutions to the trade disputes and has formed a delegation to negotiate various issues with the U.S. [6][8] Group 4 - The U.S. is also set to impose tariffs of 25% to 40% on imports from Japan and South Korea, further complicating international trade relations [7] - Increased tariffs on imports from Brazil could lead to higher prices for essential goods in the U.S., including coffee and orange juice, affecting consumer costs [7][8] Group 5 - The termination of the "tomato agreement" with Mexico will result in approximately 17% tariffs on Mexican tomatoes, potentially raising prices and impacting employment related to tomato imports in the U.S. [8]

Core Viewpoint - Burger King's recent strategic adjustments in China, including management changes and full recovery of franchise rights, signal a critical attempt to revitalize its presence in a competitive market after 20 years of operation [3][6][7]. Group 1: Management Changes and Strategic Moves - On March 6, 2024, Burger King China underwent significant management changes, with Rafa Odorizzi appointed as interim CEO and a new chairman, Lv Aijun, taking over [5][6]. - The registered capital of Burger King China increased from $410 million to $460 million, reflecting a 12.19% year-on-year growth [5]. - RBI Group has fully reclaimed operational rights in China, terminating its partnership with TFI Group for $158 million, indicating a shift towards finding partners more attuned to the Chinese market [7][8]. Group 2: Historical Context and Market Position - Since entering the Chinese market in 2005, Burger King has faced challenges, missing the initial growth phase of Western fast food, which saw competitors like McDonald's and KFC establish strong footholds [11][12]. - The brand's initial strategy focused on a high-end positioning with beef burgers, differentiating itself from competitors, but this led to slower growth due to a lack of franchise opportunities [15][16]. - Under TFI's management from 2012 to 2019, Burger King experienced rapid expansion, opening over 1,300 stores, but still faced challenges in brand recognition and market penetration [23][27]. Group 3: Current Challenges and Market Dynamics - As of 2024, Burger King China reported annual sales of approximately $700 million, with an average store revenue of $400,000, significantly lower than other international markets [32]. - The brand struggles with high operational costs and conflicts with franchisees over profitability and supply chain issues, exacerbated by a competitive pricing environment [34][35]. - The gap in store numbers compared to competitors is widening, with KFC and McDonald's significantly outpacing Burger King in store count and market presence [39]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The urgency for Burger King to implement comprehensive changes in product offerings, supply chain management, and localization strategies is critical for its survival in the Chinese market [38][39]. - The effectiveness of the recent strategic shifts remains to be seen, as the company aims to regain market share and improve operational efficiency [38].