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Happy Independence Day! We’re giving you a quick hit of BBQ prices, drones v fireworks, and some substantial travel numbers. Grab some mac salad and join us. 

It will be an expensive Fourth of July for most consumers as BBQ prices hit an all-time high. As BBQ essentials have significantly increased in price, up 5% from last year and 30% from five years ago.

• The survey checked prices for a complete cookout including cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, and more. Feeding 10 people will cost $71.22, up 5% from last year and 30% from five years ago. The grocery list included: cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, potato chips, pork and beans, fresh strawberries, homemade potato salad, fresh-squeezed lemonade, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream
• Fewer cattle are being placed on feed, leading to higher beef prices.
• “Yes, food prices are increasing, but they’re not increasing as much as they have in recent years, and they’re even a little below the long-run average,” said economics professor Andrew Stevens.
• “The consumer is waving the white flag on food inflation,” said Tom Bailey, senior consumer foods analyst at Rabobank as the cost disparity between dining out and cooking at home at its widest margin in history, we’re seeing heightened fatigue and frugality according to PR Newswire

More cities and organizations are throwing out the fireworks shows and instead incorporating drone shows into their July 4th events.

• Los Angeles replaced the traditional downtown July Fourth fireworks with a drone show, aiming for innovation and wildfire safety. The move paid off as the crowd responded positively to the new experience.
• Nashville and the Kansas City Royals are combining drones with fireworks, while Napa and Tahoe City are using drones exclusively.
• Safety and environmental concerns drive the shift, as drones do not leave debris or risk fires.
• Drones offer creative storytelling synced to music but come at a higher cost than traditional fireworks, and shows often don’t last as long due to battery life.
• Despite some initial resistance, the innovative approach is gaining acceptance and evolving rapidly.

AAA projects a record-breaking 70.9 million travelers will journey 50 miles or more for Independence Day, marking a 5% increase from last year.

• This year’s holiday travel period spans nine days (Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 7), the longest ever observed.
• 60.6 million people will travel by car, surpassing the 2019 record of 55.3 million.
• Gas prices are lower than last year’s $3.53 per gallon average.
• Air travel will see 5.74 million passengers, a 7% rise from last year.
• Bob Pishue from INRIX warns of heavy traffic on July 3rd and 7th, with potential delays up to 67%.
• Top domestic city: Seattle; Top International city: Vancouver,

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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