July 2024

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Heather Freeman. Her Facebook page Coffee. Mom. Repeat. boasts 850,000 followers and brings in six figures a year. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Heather Freeman}

What was your day job (or other sources of income) when you started your side hustle?
Before becoming an influencer, I was a part-time licensed insurance agent and a stay-at-home mom.

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
I started my “Coffee. Mom. Repeat.” Facebook page in 2013, then named “Mom’s Time Out.” I began posting affiliate links there in 2016. It wasn’t until 2018 that it went viral after I posted a ridiculous video of an 80s facial exercise. That same year, I officially changed the Facebook page name to Coffee. Mom. Repeat. after I surpassed 100,000 followers. I found the name to be more fun and relatable.

Related: This 26-Year-Old’s Side Hustle That ‘Anybody Can Do’ Grew to Earn $170,000 a Month. Here’s What Happened When I Tested It.

I started monetizing my content as an influencer because I knew I wanted more out of life for my family — from having the ability to travel to living in a better house — and I wanted more time at home with my daughter. My then-husband worked very hard to provide financially for the family, and I wanted to alleviate some of that burden for him.

What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
My cousin told me how her husband made money through affiliate marketing — sharing links to online retailers and earning commission from the sales. I found it to be very interesting and picked his brain. He explained how it worked, and I decided to apply to the Amazon Associates program, as that was the only one I was aware of at the time.

I started posting on my small meme page and made $100 in my first month. From there, I started researching everything I could on Pinterest and Google. Affiliate marketing and influencing was still very new, so it was a lot of trial and error.

Related: This 27-Year-Old Started a Side Hustle on Facebook Marketplace — Now the Gig Earns Over $500,000 a Month

I have built a reputation with my followers, so they know that what I’m promoting to them is a good product. I share real-life reviews of products I love, and I post consistently.

In 2023, I started using the influencer marketing platform Mavely to create shoppable affiliate links to share with my followers. Mavely has played a huge role in my success because it’s expanded my ability to earn commissions from different online retailers that my followers love, with hundreds of brand partners to choose from.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your side hustle, and how did you navigate them?
Online algorithms, most definitely! It’s challenging to see that one post will reach 500,000 people while another will only reach 2,500. That’s been a challenge to work through, so my followers still see what I post.

In addition to posting on Facebook, I have an email list where I will highlight a few amazing steals of the day. I also sometimes link in my Instagram stories.

Related: This Former Stay-at-Home Mom Started a ‘Zero Experience’ Side Hustle That’s Earned Over $500,000 — and She Doesn’t Work More Than 1 Hour a Day

How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
In the beginning, I was consistently making $100-150 a month. It wasn’t until 2019 that it started getting into four and five figures. To date, I average $14,000 a month. My biggest month, I earned almost $30,000, and my lowest (recently) was $8,900.

What do you enjoy most about this business?
The flexibility! I can leave on vacation tomorrow if I want to, and I only have to make sure my laptop is with me so I can still work. I have been able to work in the middle of the ocean, from a resort in the Maldives and flying high in the air as I travel.

Related: This Mom Started a Side Hustle After a ‘Shocking’ Realization in the Toy Aisle. Her Product Was in Macy’s Within the Year — Seeing Nearly $350,000 in Sales.

What’s your advice for others hoping to start successful side hustles or businesses of their own?
Just start, and don’t be afraid to reassess your game plan regularly. You will have days when you succeed and others where you absolutely fail, but as long as you keep trying, you will find what works for you. Success also does not happen overnight. You need patience — and a lot of it!

California’s recent legislation to increase the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 has stirred significant debate. While the intent behind the law is to improve the livelihoods of employees in one of the state’s largest industries, it has also led to several challenges for franchise owners.

Supporters of the wage hike argue that it addresses long-standing inequities and recognizes the essential role fast food workers played during the pandemic. They claim that higher wages will enhance the living standards for these workers, a significant portion of whom are women and adults over the age of 27, contrary to the common perception of the fast food workforce as predominantly young and inexperienced.

While it sets a new benchmark for labor rights and economic policy, it also introduces several challenges for franchise owners who must adapt to the increased labor costs. Here are some of the key ways this new minimum wage is impacting fast food franchises across California.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

1. Increased operational costs

One of the most immediate impacts of the new minimum wage law is the rise in operational costs for franchises. Fast food restaurants operate on thin profit margins, and the mandated wage increase means that franchise owners must allocate a larger portion of their revenue to payroll. This can be particularly challenging for smaller franchises that do not have the same financial cushion as larger chains.

2. Price increases

To offset the higher labor costs, many franchises have increased menu prices. This, however, can lead to a decrease in customer demand, as higher prices may drive customers to seek cheaper alternatives. The delicate balance between maintaining profitability and keeping prices competitive is becoming increasingly difficult for franchise owners.

Related: Is Franchising Right For You? Ask Yourself These 9 Questions to Find Out.

3. Reduction in workforce

In an effort to manage costs, some franchises have had to reduce their workforce. This often means fewer employees working longer hours, which can lead to burnout and reduced service quality. In fact, two major Pizza Hut franchisees in California laid off 1,200 delivery drivers earlier this year in anticipation of the wage hike.

4. Cutbacks on hours and benefits

Another way franchises are coping with increased wages is by cutting back on employee hours and reducing benefits. This strategy helps manage payroll expenses but can have negative consequences for workers who rely on stable hours and benefits such as health insurance. Reduced hours can also lead to higher turnover rates, as employees seek more stable employment elsewhere.

Related: From Coding to Creole Cooking — Here Are 5 Inspiring Success Stories of Black-Owned Businesses

5. Investment in automation

Faced with higher labor costs, some franchises are turning to automation to reduce their reliance on human workers. Self-service kiosks, automated kitchen equipment, and other technologies can help mitigate wage increases but require significant upfront investment. Moreover, automation can lead to job losses, further exacerbating the employment challenges within the industry.

6. Economic ripple effects

The increase in wages can have broader economic implications, affecting suppliers, landlords, and other businesses that interact with fast food franchises. Higher operating costs for franchises may lead to cost-cutting measures in other areas, such as negotiating lower prices with suppliers or seeking reduced rents. These ripple effects can impact the wider business ecosystem, leading to economic adjustments across various sectors.

Related: Here’s How to Save on Fast Food This Summer — And Even Score Some for Free

The bottom line

While the new minimum wage law aims to provide better wages for fast food workers, it presents significant challenges for franchise owners. Increased operational costs, price hikes, workforce reductions, investment in automation, and competitive disadvantages are just some of the ways franchises are being affected.

The law’s long-term impact on the fast food industry and the broader California economy remains to be seen, but it is clear that franchise owners must navigate a complex landscape to remain viable.

Lauren Sánchez shared how she and fiancé Jeff Bezos approach philanthropy in a new interview — and she said that one thing “people don’t really know” about Bezos is that he put an 8-floor, 63,000-square-foot homeless shelter inside an Amazon office building in Seattle.

The Hollywood Reporter released a conversation between Sánchez and Eva Longoria on Tuesday. Longoria asked Sánchez about her and Bezos’s approach to philanthropy, and Sánchez stated that “Jeff is extremely focused, as you can imagine.”

Related: Lauren Sánchez Is Heading to Space on a Girls Trip

“We really look for organizations that are not only addressing urgent issues but also have a clear, impactful plan for making a difference,” Sánchez said.

Longoria and Sánchez have been friends for 20 years, with Longoria winning $50 million through the Bezos Courage and Civility Award in March.

Sánchez emphasized the $10 billion Bezos Earth Fund, which focuses on climate-related innovation, nature restoration, and climate justice. She also noted Amazon’s collaboration with Mary’s Place, an organization that helps support homeless families.

“One thing that Jeff did with Mary’s Place is he put the homeless shelter inside Amazon’s offices in Seattle which is incredible,” Sánchez said. “I know. It’s crazy that people don’t really know about this that much.”

Related: Bezos Earth Fund Is Donating $100 Million to Groups Using AI to Help Combat Climate Change

Amazon employees just have to go downstairs to volunteer their time at the shelter, Sánchez added.

^{Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)}

Amazon opened the shelter in May 2020, with space for up to 200 people every night. The facility has a health clinic, kitchen and dining areas, playrooms for children, and office space so Amazon’s legal team can offer legal help.

Related: At 16, She Was a Homeless Single Mom With Serious Talent. Now, Her Business Brings in Millions.

The shelter is kept private from Amazon offices through separate entrances.

Amazon reported that in 2020, the center provided more than 85 families with emergency housing.

Bezos has posted about the shelter on social media. In April 2021, for example, he posted a video of him and Sánchez taking Washington State Governor Jay Inslee through a tour of the facility.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index at the time of writing, Bezos is the second richest person in the world with a net worth of $221 billion. Sánchez has a net worth of $30 million, per Prestige.

Jim Keller, an engineer who has worked at AMD, Apple, and Tesla and is now CEO of an AI chip startup taking on Nvidia, says that Nvidia is “becoming the IBM of the AI era.”

On a Sunday podcast episode of DemystifySci, Keller brought up Nvidia’s AI chips and called attention to companies like Microsoft and Google that are using Nvidia’s technology to power their own innovations.

“All the big tech companies are in an arms race and they’re all calling Nvidia,” Keller said.

Related: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Turned Down a Merger Offer in the Company’s Early Days, According to Insiders. Here’s Why.

Keller, who now leads the $2 billion AI chip startup Tenstorrent, which has funding from Samsung and Hyundai, stated that Nvidia currently has “the best processors by functionality.”

He then said that Nvidia is “slowly becoming the IBM of the AI era,” adding, “We’ll see how that goes. I run an AI tech company so I have opinions about that too.”

^{Jim Keller, chief executive officer of Tenstorrent. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images}

Nvidia is now the industry leader for AI chips, with over 80% of the market share. It benefits from a first-mover advantage in AI computing; Nvidia claims to have started investing in AI and machine learning development starting in 2006.

Related: Employees Who Worked at This Company for the Past 5 Years Are Now Multi-Millionaires in ‘Semi-Retirement’

IBM, too, could be considered a first mover in the PC market. Though IBM did not invent the PC, the company’s 1981 personal desktop opened computers up to a broader audience and generated $1 billion in revenue in its first year.

IBM “set a technology standard” with its first PC, according to IEEE Spectrum.

Keller has previously weighed in on the cost of AI chips, both from Nvidia and from ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, which currently uses Nvidia’s chips. He claimed in April that Nvidia could have cut research and development costs and in February that he could build AI processors for all workloads and AI companies at one-eighth of the cost suggested by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in March that its next-generation AI chip would cost more than $30,000.

Related: Here’s How Much Investing $10,000 in Nvidia When It Went Public Would Be Worth Now

Success doesn’t happen by chance. Often, entrepreneurs wear many hats coupled with consistency, habits and strategic decisions. While founders usually find fulfillment in building a business from the ground up, the road to success can be challenging and full of hurdles. There will be moments of doubt, and you will question whether it is all worth it or if it’s time for you to give up hope.

These five lessons, which put me in a position to start a company and scale my business quickly, are the ones I wished someone had given me when I was just starting out a few years ago.

Related: I Wish I Knew These Four Things Before Starting My Own Business

1. Niche down

Entrepreneurs want to be a jack of all trades. But now more than ever, niching down on your expertise and target audience will help you become an expert and keep you top of mind.

As a founder, I decided to shift the majority of my conference attendance to events specifically in the healthcare industry since a large portion of our PR clients are in the healthcare space. This helped me speak with my target audience much more intimately, as I’ve taken the time to get to know their problems and provide them with personalized and data-driven solutions.

2. Hire a coach

Early this year, I hired one of my business coaches, Lauren Powers, through Pinnacle Global Network. She is also in the agency space and has experience helping founders scale past nine figures. I was able to quickly get deep expertise without having to learn hard lessons or go through a bunch of different options before figuring out what financially works. She also helped me to see where there were other revenue opportunities within my business I was missing out on.

I also hired an acquisition coach who specifically helps agencies acquire other agencies. I’ve been on the other side of dozens of M&As but have never executed the strategy for an agency. I want expert advice that condenses knowledge into precisely what I need at the moment so my brain isn’t clouded by information that wouldn’t be relevant right now.

Hiring a business coach with years of expertise can provide you with deep insights into achieving exponential growth and discovering untapped revenue opportunities without prolonged trial-and-error periods, which can save you time and resources.

Related: 21 Lessons I Swear By After 21 Years as an Entrepreneur

3. Offer free work

When you’re starting out, the stakes can be high, and companies may be hesitant to take a chance on newcomers, so offering to work for free in areas where you want to gain experience can open doors to a lot of opportunities.

There have been many times I worked for free early on in my career just to gain experience and not feel the pressure to get something else in return just because I knew I had to navigate new and unknown territories. By offering my time, I got a seat at the table during high-stakes transactions and learned firsthand how the private equity and VC space worked.

Today, I’m one of the most sought-after media advisors, so it’s definitely paid off hugely. Sometimes, the experience and connections you gain are worth more than the immediate paycheck.

4. Prioritize opportunities over pay

Some incredible companies can’t offer high salaries, but pursuing sought-after roles, even with a pay cut, has always benefited me.

A few years after passing my Series 7, I was recruiting for a job with a significantly higher title that would involve doing things within leadership I hadn’t been exposed to yet. The catch? It was at a less glamorous company with lower pay and benefits. I still chose the position for its opportunities and growth potential.

After about a year and a half, I was promoted to a new position that doubled my original asking salary because the company saw the value and results I brought. During my tenure, I learned more about broker-dealers than I could have ever studied or experienced at my previous company.

5. Read, read, read!

Successful entrepreneurs are often voracious readers. At any given time, I’m ready for 4-5 books on the topics I’m looking to dig deep into. Books still hold tremendous value, whether on audible or paperbacks, which I personally still prefer.

I’ve always found it’s best to learn from several people through various mediums. If you rely on other people to train you or provide you with the education you need, you’re limited to their perception and methodology of the subject matter.

Related: 8 Important Lessons From Leading Entrepreneurs

Holding a strong hand makes all the difference in entrepreneurship. This means leveraging available resources — no matter how seemingly trivial — to strategically build and accelerate your competitive edge. While it is a calling, entrepreneurship is also a skill honed through consistency and intention. It’s never a lucky break. It’s about smart bets and hunger for knowledge. It’s about turning every setback into a learning experience. In this competitive industry, playing the game of strategy will help you thrive.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the restaurant franchise industry, some names evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for simpler times. These are the brands that once dominated the scene, creating memories for countless families and food enthusiasts. Among these legendary names are Bennigan’s, Quiznos, TCBY, Blimpie, and Friendly’s. Each has a unique story marked by rapid success, subsequent challenges, and inspiring comebacks.

Today, new leadership and innovative strategies are breathing new life into these iconic names. As these brands adapt to modern tastes and business practices, they not only preserve their rich legacies but also pave the way for a promising future. Whether through innovative business models, strategic partnerships, or rebranding efforts, these iconic chains are poised to reclaim their positions in the market, bringing joy and delicious memories to diners old and new.

Let’s explore the journeys of these iconic establishments, exploring their rise, fall, and ongoing efforts to reclaim their place in the hearts of customers.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

Bennigan’s

Since its inception in 1976, Bennigan’s has proudly held the title of the “American Legend.” Under the leadership of Norman Brinker, who also played a pivotal role in the success of Chili’s, Bennigan’s quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the casual family dining sector.

However, the restaurant faced a common industry fate — oversaturation. After several ownership changes, the focus on the core values and franchisees diminished. This decline culminated in Bennigan’s filing for bankruptcy, leading to the closure of all corporate locations and the subsequent downfall of most franchise units.

In a twist of fate, CEO Paul Mangiamele and his wife stepped in to revive the beloved brand. Today, Bennigan’s is trying to make a comeback, with seven U.S. locations, more than a dozen take-out only spots and 15 international locations. With a refreshed business plan and franchising model, Bennigan’s is actively seeking new franchisees to join its resurgence.

Related: Start Your Own Business or Buy a Franchise: Which Is Right For You

Blimpie

As the oldest operational sub franchise, Blimpie Subs & Salads, affectionately known as Blimpie, experienced a significant boom before facing decline. From nearly 2,000 locations worldwide in 2001, the number dwindled to under 100 by 2024, leading many to assume Blimpie had vanished. The founder’s sale of the company to an investment group in the early 2000s marked the beginning of a downward spiral. Despite efforts in marketing and social media, sales continued to decline, and franchisees struggled with loan defaults.

In response, Blimpie is undergoing a rebranding effort, focusing on modern stores, advanced technology, and comprehensive training and support. This strategic approach aims to restore Blimpie’s reputation and bring its delicious subs back to a global audience.

Related: Find Out Which Brands Have Ranked on the Franchise 500 for Longest, Earning a Spot In our New ‘Hall of Fame

Friendly’s

The iconic jingle “I want to go to Friendly’s” evokes fond memories, but finding a Friendly’s to visit has become increasingly challenging. Founded during the Great Depression by Prestley and Curtis Blake, Friendly’s expanded from an ice cream shop in New England to a beloved chain offering both ice cream and food. However, declining sales led to bankruptcy filings in 2011 and again in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation.

Thankfully, Amici Partners Group acquired Friendly’s assets, ensuring the continuation of operations. With the introduction of Friendly’s 2.0 Protocol, the brand is revitalizing its image and is once again open to franchising, offering a fresh start for this beloved American institution.

Related: Learn the Secrets of Running 20+ Businesses as a Side Hustle — Finding and Nurturing Your ‘STIC People’

Quiznos

Who can forget the iconic experience of watching your sub glide through Quiznos‘ toaster conveyor belt? Quiznos, the pioneer of the original toasted sub, left an indelible mark on the sub-sandwich industry, boasting over 5,000 locations at its peak. However, poor corporate practices led to a staggering $570 million debt, forcing the company into bankruptcy. The situation worsened as sales plummeted and franchisees clashed with corporate over hidden fees on mandatory supplies.

Now, with a restructured organization, Quiznos is poised for a comeback. The brand is reinvigorating its presence with new franchising opportunities and an innovative modular restaurant concept, designed to fit seamlessly into diverse locations.

Related: The NLRB’s New Joint Employer Rule is So Extreme That Even California Rejected a State-Level Version of the Franchise-Killing Policy

TCBY

Once a ubiquitous name in the frozen yogurt industry, TCBY (The Country’s Best Yogurt) was a staple on every corner. As competition grew, the market became saturated with numerous frozen yogurt chains. In 2008, the parent company overseeing TCBY and Mrs. Fields filed for bankruptcy. Yet, hope remained. The synergy of combining TCBY and Mrs. Fields into joint locations breathed new life into both brands. Now, whether you crave frozen yogurt or cookies, these dual-concept stores cater to both indulgences, ensuring TCBY remains a popular choice.

Mark Zuckerberg thinks that the next frame-breaking moment in technology, comparable to the first Google search or Facebook friend request, will be Meta’s holographic glasses.

“We’re almost ready to start showing the prototype version of the full holographic glasses and that’s wild,” Zuckerberg said in a June interview with YouTuber Kallaway. “Every person I’ve shown it to, their reaction, it’s giddy.”

Holographic glasses transform the wearer’s full field of vision into a three-dimensional space. Zuckerberg painted a picture of him as a full hologram, or 3D digital avatar, sitting on Kallaway’s living room couch.

Related: Mark Zuckerberg: ‘I Don’t Think AI Technology Is a Thing That Should Be Hoarded’

“And it’s not just a video call, it’s not just like there’s a screen and you’re there as a hologram,” he said. “We’d be able to interact. So you want to play cards, it’s a hologram, we’re interacting.”

Artists could create art together and content creators could collaborate on new projects as holograms, Zuckerberg explained.

The technology will come at a price, though the exact cost is unspecified for now.

Zuckerberg stated that the fully holographic glasses would cost “significantly more” than the $300 Ray-Ban Meta glasses currently on the market and that Meta isn’t thinking about selling the glasses to everyone right away.

“We’re focused on building the full consumer version of it rather than selling the prototype,” he said.

Meta still intends to demo what the prototype can do to the general public — something Zuckerberg stated he was “really looking forward” to.

Related: Billionaires Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg Have 3 Habits for Success in Common — But Very Different Routines. Which One Resembles Yours?

Another example of a frame-breaking product, according to Zuckerberg, is Meta’s upcoming neural wristbands. The futuristic wrist straps pick up brain signals, without the need for wires or anything attached to the brain, with the aim of one day performing tasks like typing and controlling a computer mouse.

Zuckerberg said that the possibility of paradigm-changing products like holographic glasses and neural wristbands sets technology apart from other fields.

“In a lot of other fields, you can be doing the same thing for a long period of time, whereas in technology, every once in a while something comes along and just unleashes all of these new opportunities and you need to rethink what you’re doing,” he said.

Meta is currently an industry leader in virtual reality, drawing 37.2% of AR/VR market share in Q1 2024 compared to Apple’s 17%.

Related: Mark Zuckerberg Only Made $1 in Salary in 2023— But Earned Over $24 Million in ‘Other Compensation’

The legal team that argued against Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s record-high pay package now wants to get paid — a record-setting $7.3 billion in legal fees.

There were 37 lawyers, associates, and paralegals helping represent Richard Tornetta, the Tesla shareholder who sued the EV maker over Musk’s proposed $56 billion pay. Tornetta won in Delaware court in January, with Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick throwing out the compensation package.

In response, Tesla held another shareholder vote in June and argued that Musk’s compensation was “not about the money” but rather about keeping his attention on the company.

Shareholders ultimately voted in favor of the compensation plan and an additional resolution to move Tesla’s legal headquarters from Delaware to Texas.

Related: ‘Passing By Wide Margins’: Elon Musk Celebrates His ‘Guaranteed Win’ of the Highest Pay Package in U.S. Corporate History

On Monday, McCormick heard from both Tornetta’s legal team and Tesla’s over the legal fee request.

Tornetta’s attorneys presented arguments and expert-witness testimony to show why they deserved $7.3 billion in legal fees, consisting entirely of Tesla stock. At Monday’s stock price, the fee works out to about $370,000 for each hour worked.

Their justification was similar to the one Tesla gave for Musk’s pay: It’s not just about the money, it’s about incentives for future behavior.

“If Delaware continues to perceive value in policing bad behavior, then narrowing incentives [for attorneys] would be a very bad idea,” Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman partner Greg Varallo said.

Related: Elon Musk’s Proposed $56 Billion Pay Package Is ‘Obviously Not About the Money,’ Writes Tesla Chair

The attorneys stated that instead of the usual 33% fee recovery that Delaware permits, they are asking for a smaller 11% of the Tesla shares that would have gone to Musk — had the judge not voided his pay. They said they wanted “a slice of the value pie” they “created.”

“We did battle with the very best,” Varallo said. “Litigation against Tesla is never easy. There are companies who play by the rules every day, and then there are companies like Tesla.”

Tesla lawyer John Reed told McCormick that the fee request “looks like a real-life lawyer joke.”

^{Elon Musk. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)}

Reed said that the January ruling caused Tesla stock to dip and cast doubt on Musk’s future at the EV maker. Though Tesla stock did fall after January, the EV maker is up overall since January at the time of writing.

Reed asked that Tornetta’s attorneys receive a $13.6 million fee.

Court documents show that over 8,000 Tesla stockholders have sent letters and objections to the court about the legal fees.

If approved, the legal fee would be the highest in U.S. corporate history, more than the $688 million awarded in an Enron class action suit in 2008.

Related: How Much Are CEOs Paid? Highest Chief Executive Pay Packages

As mobile pay and order ahead methods become mainstream, one major retailer is nixing an old-school form of payment.

Starting July 15, Target will no longer accept personal checks as a form of payment in-store.

Related: Target, Shopify Sellers Team Up to Create Amazon Alternative

A spokesperson for the company told NBC Chicago that the decision was made based on “extremely low volumes” of personal checks being used and added that customers have been notified of the incoming change through “several measures.”

Target accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards, digital pay including Apple Pay, buy-now-pay-later services, and the store’s Target Circle Cards.

The chain also announced on Monday that it is extending two one-time offers: 20% for college students and 20% for educators.

Target did not immediately respond to Entrepreneur’s request for comment.

The retailer had a tough Q1 2024 after reporting $24.53 billion in revenue, down 3% from the same period last year. It was the first time the company missed analysts’ earnings expectations since November 2022.

Related: Target Sued for Allegedly Collecting Data Without Consent

“Looking ahead, our team will deliver for our guests through lower prices, a seasonally relevant assortment, ease and convenience, as we keep investing in our strategy and efficiency initiatives to get back to growth and deliver on our longer-term financial goals,” CEO Brian Cornell said in a release at the time.

Target was up over 12.5% year over year as of Monday afternoon.