What's with the Pineapple?

What's with the Pineapple?


Ep. 52 - The Cheeseburger Index

December 05, 2025

Detroit's winning and has the receipts to prove it – literally hundreds of millions of them. Before DoorDash economist Erica Blom reveals why the Motor City ranks third nationally with a $12.90 cheeseburger meal (national average: $18.58), Emily declares war on boring modern architecture while Justin explains Michigan's bizarre post-prohibition liquor control system. It’s a battle of the opening segments. The main event delivers DoorDash's groundbreaking State of Local Commerce report built from hundreds of millions of transactions across 100 cities. Detroit dominates: 94% restaurant resilience rate, 21% new restaurant growth on the platform, and proof that restaurant spending is outpacing inflation nationally. Between America's 250 billion pennies creating cash chaos and restoring Brand USA funding ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary, this episode proves data really is king – and Detroit is winning.