A recent report from the National Restaurant Association projects sales in United States restaurant industry to reach $799 billion in 2017. The industry will remain the second-largest private sector employer with approximately 14.7 million employees. There is a variety of available
Quantifying the recent relationship between the US Dollar and WTI Oil
From the start of 2014 until now the market has seen a strong US dollar bolstered by a continually recovering US economy and downward pressure on oil prices as the result of a supply glut. The general rule of thumb
“Restaurant Fails!”: An Overall Analysis of the Current U.S. Restaurant Industry
As the pace of life becomes faster and faster, the growing restaurant industry has fulfilled people’s need for a fast and filling meal. Of course, restaurants also serve an important role for special occasions or for a simple social gathering.
Peer to Peer Lending
What is P2P Lending? Peer to peer (P2P) lending is a relatively new phenomenon where individuals bypass traditional financial intermediaries in order to make loans. Currently, the two largest P2P lending platforms are Prosper and Lending Club, and the rate
Unfunded Pension Liabilities On The Rise Among States, With No Sign Of Slowing
Today, nearly all state and local pension plans are unfunded. According to the Public Fund Survey, “of 126 state and local pension plans, which account for about 85 percent of pension assets and participants in state and local pension plans
Chinese Investment in sub-Saharan Africa
Does the country deserve its anti-imperial reputation in sub-Saharan Africa? “Imperialism is capitalism at that stage of development at which the dominance of monopolies and finance capitalism is established; in which the export of capital has acquired pronounced importance; in
Solar it up Baby!
Alternative energy is the rise in America. People are seeing the benefits of turning to solar and wind energy from conventional sources. Costs are also decreasing to historic lows. More can be done, which is why I
Have the Washington Nationals bought their success?
The Washington Nationals have been one of the best teams in the MLB for the past several years and them spending big on players has contributed to it. Since 1998, when data on payrolls was available, the Nationals’ payroll has
Why Sanctions Do(n’t) Work
Looking at foreign policy differences between the past two administrations, one gets the impression that while the spirit and tools have changed a bit, the challenges and goals have stayed mostly the same. Persistent, hollow threats from North Korea, chemical
Student Loans: Is a Traditional Four-Year College Worth It?
As of April 2017, 44.2 million Americans bear $1.41 trillion in United States student loans. Student loans have recently surpassed US credit card debt by approximately $620 billion. Average student loans for graduates in the state of Virginia amounted to