The Wall Street Journal
The Brief:
I was a Chicago-based reporter for The Journal, covering the global food industry — including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Whole Foods, General Mills, Yum Brands, and other companies. This involved covering macro food business trends — everything from the industry’s response to the “Super Size Me” film, to regulatory affairs, marketing, shifting consumer tastes, agricultural supply chain issues, and leadership crises.
Regularly interviewed industry stakeholders—including CEOs, CMOs, board members, investors, regulators, consumers, farmers, and activists.
Covered breaking news and delivered conceptual scoops–distinctive stories that connect the dots, and set the narratives and agenda for industry stakeholders.
Provided analysis on industry trends on WSJ Radio, CNBC and other media outlets.
Conceived a series about a New Orleans family’s attempt to escape poverty after Hurricane Katrina. The series was followed by Good Morning America and local media outlets across the U.S., and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
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A Mother of Six Gets a Chance at a New Life in Minnesota
For some Hurricane Katrina evacuees, the storm presented an improbable silver living: a chance to escape poverty. This story is part one of a series that was nominated by The Wall Street Journal for a Pulitzer Prize.
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A Hurricane KATRINA FAMILY STARTS OVER IN A MINNESOTA TOWN
When a Minnesota family opens its home to eight Hurricane Katrina evacuees, life become complicated. This story is part two of a series that was nominated by The Wall Street Journal for a Pulitzer Prize.
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How Starbucks is speeding up service
The world’s largest coffee chain reduced order service times to three minutes, without compromising order accuracy–even as the menu became more complex.
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Inside Southeast Asia's Soy Sauce War
Here’s why Unilever and Heinz see their Indonesian soy-sauce businesses as an entree into the hearts and minds of Southeast Asia’s emerging middle class.
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Betty Crocker Adds B. Smith to Cornbread Mix. Sales Take Off.
Case study: A young General Mills exec listens to internal feedback and challenges Jiffy, a smaller but dominant company. How will Jiffy respond?
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Q&A With Whole Foods Co-founder John Mackey
John Mackey shares thoughts on the future of organic foods, and why took a $1 annual salary.
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McDonald's Menu Goes Relatively Upscale. Will it Work?
Here’s how the world's largest restaurant chain used salads–with arugula and radicchio–to boost sales.
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Starbucks Conquered Drive-Thrus. Here's How.
Inside Starbucks’ mid-2000s strategy to build coffee shops with drive-thru windows, a food industry innovation pioneered by McDonald’s.