Sprinkles Cupcakes shutdown sparks private equity backlash
Plus: A father's humiliation dance.
Greetings!
Here are the latest trending internet culture stories today:
The founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes set off a viral firestorm after fans pinned the shop’s closure on her decision to sell it private equity over a decade ago.
A Florida teacher has gone viral for a rant about how teachers are underpaid in America, and many can’t afford to buy a home.
I have to hand it to this father who really committed to the bit of embarrassing his daughter.
See you tomorrow!
— W.J.
⚡️ Today in Internet Culture
“You betrayed that legacy”: Sprinkles Cupcakes just shut down. Should the founder take responsibility for selling to private equity?
Viral bakery and cupcake ATM phenomenon Sprinkles Cupcakes is closing its doors 13 years after the owner sold it to private equity. Founder Candace Nelson announced the move in social media videos on Wednesday, leaving fans devastated.
Those familiar with the pattern of private equity buying up and destroying beloved brands, however, are not surprised—and not too happy with Nelson.
“You won’t afford it!”: Teacher’s blunt rant explains how becoming an educator means accepting you’ll never own a home
A Florida middle school teacher’s blunt rant about money (and the lack of it) has gone viral after she warned future educators not to expect financial stability from the profession.
“Don’t do it for the money,” she warned. “If you want to become a teacher, do it because you want to make a difference in a child’s life. Do it because you want to enhance, quite literally, the future of the United States.”
“He stretched my shirt out”: Dad hilariously copies daughter’s dance video in bid for her to “act right”
Parents often resort to creative methods when disciplining their teens, but one dad’s approach went viral for its boldness. Instead of taking away his daughter’s phone or grounding her, this father decided to fight back with a little embarrassment. The weapon of choice? TikTok.
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