Squawk Pod Fast Food Economy & America’s AI Regulation 2/12/26
Feb 12, 2026
Emily Wilkins, CNBC reporter on Washington policy. Patrick Doyle, restaurant executive and former Domino's CEO leading Restaurant Brands. Alex Bores, New York Assemblymember and AI policy author. They discuss fast food innovation and value strategies, AI tools reshaping restaurant operations, and a proposed AI regulatory framework focused on safeguards, competitiveness, and practical protections for kids and workers.
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Episode notes
Host's Shrinkflation Burger Moment
- Kelly Evans shared a personal photo that made her wonder if fast food portions shrank.
- She joked about aging and keys to illustrate perceived shrinkflation in burgers.
Memory Price Rise Hits Tech Margins
- Cisco beat earnings but warned margins will compress due to rising memory costs and pricing actions.
- Hosts link memory-price pressure to broader hardware and consumer impacts, including potential iPhone price rises.
U.S. Consumer Is Increasingly Bifurcated
- Patrick Doyle says U.S. consumers are bifurcated by income with households over $75,000 spending more freely.
- He links improved employment to broader consumer recovery and optimism for demand.