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If you travel outside of the country a lot, youll know many airports in foreign countries offer automated border control (ABC) systems, better colloquially known as eGates. eGates speed passengers through various checkpoints, including boarding checkpoints and border control. Yet American airports lack eGates, meaning passengers spend longer navigating the airport, trying to get to their destination. But now thats changingat least at a few airportsthanks to a partnership between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and security identity company CLEAR. eGates are finally coming to America. Heres what that means for travelers. What is an eGate? eGates are checkpoints used at border crossings and security checkpoints in many foreign airports around the world. Instead of waiting in long lines for manual passport and boarding pass checks by a human official, passengers can opt to proceed via an eGate. These automated eGates are equipped with cameras, passport readers, and biometric scanners. When a passenger enters an eGate, the system reads their passport and identifies them via their biometrics (via a facial scan or fingerprint scan). If everything checks out, the eGates open automatically and the passenger is permitted throughno human checks of their documents needed. eGates can significantly reduce processing times for arrivals and departures, thereby decreasing wait times and enabling people to reach their final destinations more quickly. Now security screening service CLEAR has announced it will bring the eGate to select airports in America starting this month. And while these eGates will be limited to checking the security and boarding credentials of CLEAR Plus travelers on domestic flights only (instead of being used to usher international travelers through border control), they should still help decrease the time it takes for some passengers to navigate the airport. [Photo: Clear] Why are eGates finally being rolled out in the United States? The rollout of eGates at select U.S. airports is being done for a few reasons. The first is to help modernize the infrastructure at American airports. Faster processing of passengers benefits everyone, from travelers who now have more time to catch connecting flights to airports that can streamline the security screening process. But there is another factor in the eGate rollout: the 2026 World Cup that is being held in the United States. That sporting event is expected to attract tens of millions of soccer fans from around the world to the United States next year. The massive influx of tourists threatens to overwhelm American airports traditional, manual security procedures. Now that Clear Plus members can use eGates in select airports, it should free up some space in the long lines that people stand in to have their documents manually checked by a TSA official. Which airports are eGates rolling out at? Its important to note that eGates arent coming to all American airports this year. As a matter of fact, the partnership announced between the TSA and CLEAR will see three airports gain eGates at first. Those three airports are: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) SeattleTacoma International Airport (SEA) CLEAR says that after the initial trial at the three airports listed above, the company expects to roll out its eGate technology across its network of airports nationwide.
Category:
E-Commerce
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced today, August 19, that its launching a new rewards program, Chipotle U Rewards, for students heading back to campus this fall, to “recognize and celebrate . . . various milestones of their higher education journey and bring more value to Gen Z students.” Chipotle’s focus on college towns and loyalty programs aimed at students is part of its strategy to increase growth and retain younger customers at a time when many fast-food and fast-casual chains are facing declining sales and slow growth fueled by higher prices, inflation, tariff fears, and changing customer habits. (In the first quarter of 2025, Chipotle not only missed revenue estimates but also said same-store sales dropped for the first time since 2020, as Fast Company previously reported.) Chipotle, like other chains, is targeting college students and a younger demographic because they are dining out often, and also to build long-term loyalty, according to Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solutions provider. According to Chipotle, college-age Chipotle Rewards members spend more annually, driven by more frequent visits; plus, they have a higher retention rate, based on five years of data. There are more than 250 Chipotle restaurants within 2 miles of college campuses. With the introduction of Chipotle U Rewards, weve created a new personalized digital experience for Gen Z students who are craving real food and real value, Curt Garner, president and chief strategy and technology officer of Chipotle, said in a statement sent to Fast Company. How Chipotle’s new loyalty program works The loyalty program allows students to earn points for signing up, and subsequently for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free food like burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads. Students will score 1,000 bonus points for signing up, and 20% more points on every purchase than the regular loyalty program offers, with surprise drops around college milestones like finals and graduation. College students can enroll in Chipotle U Rewards at chipotle.com/chipotle-u-rewards. Once logged in, students must validate their college enrollment through ID.me. Chipotle collab with Urban Outfitters To celebrate the launch, Chipotle teamed up with Urban Outfitters to design the limited-edition A Little Extra dorm collection, inspired by the fast-casual chain’s menu. It’s set to roll out online and at select Urban Outfitters locations in college towns on August 20. Highlights include beanbag chairs inspired by black and pinto beans, a throw blanket that looks like a foil-wrapped tortilla, and a desk light shaped like a chip bag. Here’s a list of collection items and prices: Chipotle Water cup tumbler ($16) Chipotle Is My Life catchall ($19) Chipotle delivery doormat ($29) Chipotle chip bag light ($59) A Little Extra” embroidered pillow ($59) Chipotle burrito throw blanket ($99) Black bean beanbag chair ($299) Pinto bean beanbag chair ($299) Chipotle by the numbers Second-quarter earnings for Chipotle (NYSE: CMGY) for the period ending June 30, 2025, included adjusted earnings per share of $0.33, meeting analysts’ expectations. However, revenue for the period came in at $3.06 billion, below expectations of $3.11 billion. Comparable restaurant sales fell 4% year over year, compared to a 11.1% increase in the second quarter of 2024, driven by a 4.9% decline in transactions.
Category:
E-Commerce
A new study released by GoTo and Workplace Intelligence confirms something many of us have already started to feel: AI is no longer just a workplace tool. Its becoming the workplace. The study, which surveyed 2,500 global employees and IT leaders, found that 51% of employees believe AI will eventually make physical offices obsolete. For years weve talked about how AI would change what we do at work. But now its changing where, how, and why we work, and who we turn to for support. AI is replacing more than just tasks. Its replacing structure, feedback, and in some cases, empathy. The office is losing groundto AI Remote and hybrid work models are no longer just a pandemic-era compromise. Theyve become the preferred option for many, and AI is now powering the infrastructure behind that shift. From AI-enhanced meetings and IT support to generative assistants and automation tools, employees say the tech is delivering where the office no longer does. According to the study: 71% of workers say AI improves their flexibility and work-life balance 66% say AI lets them work from anywhere without losing productivity 65% say it helps them serve customers more effectively, even from home Even more telling: 61% of employees say theyd rather see their company invest in AI than office perks like lounges, snacks, or upgraded spaces. And that includes workers who are still going into the office. The message is clear: Workers dont just want hybrid models. They want support that travels with them and many believe AI is doing a better job of that than their physical workplace. When AI becomes the manager We tend to frame AI as something that makes work faster. But increasingly, its also making work feel safer, especially for younger workers. Ive spoken with Gen Z students who use ChatGPT to figure out how to email their professor or manager because they dont feel confident in their tone. Others say theyve used it to explore career paths or problem-solve interpersonal issues at worknot because they dont care, but because theyve never been taught how to navigate these moments, and they dont want to risk getting it wrong. One student told me they refer to ChatGPT as they, not he or she, because it feels more neutral. Less likely to judge. That comment has stayed with me. AI isnt just giving answers. Its providing space. It doesnt interrupt. It doesnt talk over you. It doesnt roll its eyes. Thats what so many peopleespecially younger workersare hungry for. And thats why this shift is about far more than efficiency. Not just a Gen Z thing While Gen Z might be leading the way in comfort with AI, theyre far from alone. The study shows that 90% of remote/hybrid baby boomers and 84% of millennials say AI has improved their productivity while working remotely. Over 70% of Gen X workers say the same. We often act like this is a young-person conversation. Its not. Its a cross-generational shift in how we think about presence, support, and control. Flexibility, not physical space, has become the marker of a good job. And AI is quickly becoming the scaffolding holding that model up. Leadership is out of sync But not everyone sees the situation the same way. The study reveals a sharp disconnect between those implementing AI and those expected to use it. 91% of IT leaders believe their company is using AI effectively to support remote and hybrid teams. Only 53% of employees agree. That gap should concern any organization that wants to build trust in an AI-driven environment. If leadership sees AI as a solved problem and employees see it as inconsistent or incomplete, youre not just dealing with a tech issue. Youre dealing with a culture problem. The bigger question So where does this leave us? AI is now doing the work of helping people feel competent, supported, and connectedroles we once looked to managers, mentors, and coworkers to fill. That doesnt mean were heading for a cold, robotic future. But it does mean we need to think more deeply about what work is when the office becomes optional and the boss is an algorithm. Are we okay with employees turning to AI instead of their team? Are we okay with students using chatbots to learn how to communicate because they dont trust their workplace to teach them? And are we doing enough to make sure this shift toward digital independence doesnt quietly erode human connection? Because if were not careful, AI wont just shape how we work, it will reshape who we rely on, how we grow, and what we believe good work looks and feels like.
Category:
E-Commerce
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