Business & Tech
Brazen Phony FBI Heist | Korean Burger Joint Heads To CA | $3 Streaming Service: CA Business News
Catch up with the latest CA consumer and business news, plus under-the-radar stories and the week's best sales and freebies.
CALIFORNIA — This week in California business news: A group of Bay Area thieves impersonated FBI agents in order to steal hundreds of iPhones, a new mobile app popular with Gen Z is threatening Yelp's dominance, and Roku has launched a new $2.99 streaming service (with no ads).
Additionally, a South Korean fast foot chain is expanding stateside — and has chosen California for its first location.
But before getting to the biggest business stories in the Golden State, here are some of the best consumer deals of the week:
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Freebies, Deals And Steals
- California Pizza Kitchen has several ongoing deals for price-conscious diners. Feeding a big group? You can pick up 10 pizzas for $100. If your appetite is a little smaller, the chain is offering $10 pizzas every Monday and Tuesday with a $20 minimum purchase.
- Who says the best way to travel the Golden State is by car? Amtrak offers ongoing 15% discounts for students, military members and more for its California routes, including the scenic Pacific Surfliner. More info at Amtrak.
Check out this week's top headlines for California business news on Patch:
- Bay Area Thieves Impersonated FBI To Steal Hundreds Of iPhones: Authorities
- Roku Launches New Streaming Service With No Ads For $2.99 Per Month
- South Korean Fast Food Chain Picks CA For Location Of 1st U.S. Store
- Young Diners Are Trading Yelp For This New Foodie App
- Trailer Full Of Nitrous Oxide Found At Grateful Dead Event
- 'Community Stoppage,' Boycott Planned In Response To Immigration Raids
- SoCal Operatives Funneled AI Chips To China, Feds Claim
The Bottom Line
- Gov. Gavin Newsom is leaning into artificial intelligence: On Thursday, he unveiled a comprehensive AI training initiative on partnership with tech giants including Google, which will roll out AI education across CSU campuses, community college and high schools. The initiative is aimed at maintaining California’s leadership in the field.
- Car insurance rates in California remained relatively flat in the first half of 2025, but analysts are expecting costs to jump in the second half of the year. A new report found that insurance rates could rise due to the Trump administration's tariffs.
More Restaurant News
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This opportunity may moo-ve you to find a cow costume for opening day of the newest Chick-fil-A in Coachella Valley.
Pechanga Resort Casino To Host 4th Annual Tacos & Tequila Festival
Guests can indulge in "limitless" bites of al pastor, chicken, carne asada and veggie tacos.
Saint & Second Opens New Location In Manhattan Beach: 'As Thoughtful As It Is Inviting'
"Saint & Second offers a come-as-you-are experience rooted in creativity, community, and California flavor," restaurant officials said.
San Francisco To Get New Cookie Shop With Famous Following
Palo Alto and San Mateo have an Antoine's Cookie Shop; now it's San Francisco's turn.
Habit To Open New Location In Palos Verdes: 'Flavor You Can Taste In Every Bite'
"Rancho Palos Verdes has incredible scenery and a strong sense of community; it just felt like the right move for us," an official said.
New Creamery Opens In Berkeley
A new creamery in Berkeley entices with its menu of small-batch, hand-crafted ice cream offerings.
More Retail News
Beat The Heat At Portals Entertainment In Temecula: Take A Peek Inside This All-Ages Play Place
We spent an afternoon inside this indoor mini-golf, laser tag and arcade games collide. Plan an outing for family, parties and team bonding!
Guests will soon be able to blow off steam by smashing up to 80 glass items and 8 electronic devices at iSmash's first California location.
Popular Grocery Chain And Coffee House To Open In Downtown San Leandro
The openings are part of San Leandro's downtown revitalization project.
Specialty Food Market Opens Massive Food Hall, Store In OC
H Mart has opened a 70,000-square-foot supermarket and food hall.
Longtime Castro Valley Jewelry Store To Close
The owners of a jewelry shop in Castro Valley are holding a "retirement sale" to thank the customers who helped make their dream a reality.
Major Home Retailer Announces More Store Closures: See Which CA Locations To Close
The company joins Big Lots, Joann Fabrics, Kohl's and more in announcing closings just this year.
"It's not your normal garage style shop, it's high-end," an owner of the new South Bay Tint World told Patch. "It's a one-stop shop."
Beloved Castro Valley Restaurant Closes
A popular Chinese eatery on Castro Valley Boulevard recently announced its closing, much to patrons' disappointment.
More Business News
Mass Layoffs Announced At Stanford University Blamed On Trump Cuts
The school cited ongoing economic uncertainty and federal reductions in funding for education.
California Affordable Housing Programs Are On The Chopping Block After Supreme Court Ruling
Many California cities require homebuilders to create affordable housing or pay fees to support construction of those units.
8 Best California Counties To Live, Work, Retire: Where Will You Call Home?
From career opportunities, lifestyle, to moderate weather, real estate experts dished on these best communities to call home in California.
The Families on the Fly program began its rollout at airports this summer, including at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
Refreshed Bayside Aquarium Reopening At SeaWorld San Diego
The revamped space features a range of freshwater and saltwater species, including two axolotls and a California two-spot octopus.
Renters To Get Right To AC Under New 82-Degree Cooling Requirement
Rental housing in unincorporated LA County will soon be required to have a maximum indoor temperature of 82 degrees.
Woman Accused Of Stealing 25+ Boxes Of Shoes, Clothing From Livermore Outlets
Police say the suspect had boxes of stolen merchandise inside a stolen U-Haul obtained using a fraudulent ID.
UPS Ordered To Pay Riverside County After Alleged Illegal Disposal Of Hazardous Waste
The payout is part of a larger $1.745 million civil judgment involving counties across the state.
Armed with guns and illegally obtained search warrants, deputies worked round-the-clock for a man known as "The Godfather," the DOJ said.
4 CA Amusement Parks Among 20 Best In U.S. In New Ranking
Of 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve the "best of the best" milestone, according to TripAdvisor.
3 CA Destinations Make Tripadvisor's 2025 'Best Of The Best' List
A handful of the Golden State's most iconic attractions were named among the best in the nation in the Travelers' Choice Awards.
Guaranteed Income Program Gets $2M Backing From City Of LA
A new program in Los Angeles would provide guaranteed income to residents.
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