Costco's Big Change | $300K Homes | In-N-Out's 'Bizarre And Lewd' Lawsuit: CA Business News

CALIFORNIA — This week in California business news: There are still places in the Golden State where an average home costs around $300,000, while real estate values are tanking in one wealthy market.

Additionally, In-N-Out is suing a YouTuber who, posing as an employee, welcomed customers with "defamatory, insulting, racially insensitive, bizarre, and lewd" greetings, the company claims.

Plus, Costco is making a big change designed to inspire customers to upgrade their memberships.

But before getting to the biggest business stories in the Golden State, here are some of the best consumer deals of the week:

Freebies, Deals And Steals

• Applebee's is inviting customers to come hungry and leave very, very full for cheap. The chain's current promotion includes all-you-can-eat boneless wings, chicken tenders, riblets, coleslaw and fries for $15.99.
• Amazon Prime Day is fast approaching, and there's more on offer than just discounted items on Amazon. The company is offering free 90-day trials to its grocery delivery service and $30 off groceries in store at Amazon Fresh. Check out the details here.

Check out this week's top headlines for California business news on Patch:

• Homes Values Down In This Wealthy CA Market
• Man Robbed At Lakers Game After Being Barred From 'Celebrity' Bathroom: Lawsuit
• A Typical House Costs Less Than $300K In These California Counties
• Bay Area Bank Robbery Botched: Police
• Ford Recalls 200K Cars Due To Door Latches That Can Trap Passengers
• State Workers Get A Reprieve From Newsom's Return-To-Office Mandate
• 10 CA Cities Will Hike Minimum Wage On July 1
• Bay Area Sees Asian Grocery Market Boom As Big-Box Stores Close
• Lemonade Stands Still A Summer Staple — But They're Not Always Legal
• Off-Season Summering In SoCal Deserts: What To Know When You Go

The Bottom Line

• In-N-Out is taking aim at a YouTuber in a lawsuit, claiming the man dressed up as an employee and greeted drive-thru customers with obscene remarks — and capturing it all on video for his 335,000+ followers.
• Costco is making a big change to its operating hours — and hoping it gives customers another reason to upgrade their memberships. Executive Members (those who pay $120 annually) will get to start shopping an hour earlier, at 9 a.m., while regular members ($60 annually) will have to wait until 10 a.m.
• Major companies are pushing employees to return to the office, with some enforcing full five-day weeks. Amazon, JPMorgan, TikTok, Apple and Google are among those tightening or expanding return‑to‑office mandates.

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A.O.C. Restaurant In Brentwood To Close After 16 Years

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Yeastie Boys Bagels Food Truck Opening In Manhattan Beach

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Legacy Bay Area BBQ Chain Closes 5 Locations Amid Slumping Sales and Inflation

The beloved 40-year-old eatery has closed five of its Bay Area locations, leaving just one in operation.

More Retail News

CA Grocery Giant Announces Closures: What To Know

The company said the stores will close over the next 18 months, according to an earnings report

San Francisco Bookstores Drop J.K. Rowling Titles In Stand For Trans Rights

Books by J.K. Rowling, who penned the "Harry Potter" series, have come off the shelves at BookSmith on Haight.

4-Story Hotel With Gas Station, Car Wash, Eateries, Planned In Wildomar

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Businesses Near San Francisco's Kezar Stadium Hope Golden City FC Pro Soccer Kicks Off Revival

"We're big football fans/soccer fans here," said owner Cyril Hackett. "This bar is synonymous with soccer, or football as we call it."

More Business News

SoCal Trainer Charged In Connection With Deaths Of 'Dozens' Of Dogs
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Growers' Uncertainty About ICE Policy Could Lead To Harvest Season Labor Shortage

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GDP Data Shows U.S. Economy Shrank More Than Previously Thought In Early 2025

The agency's initial first-quarter GDP report, issued in April, estimated a 0.3% decline, later revised to a 0.2% dip in its second print.

San Francisco Mayor Unveils "Family Zoning" Plan To Boost Homebuilding

The proposed plan, if approved, would include updated height and density rules to allow for larger multifamily homes in residential areas.

How Oversupply Of Homes Is Affecting California Real Estate Sales

Despite home prices hitting record highs nationwide, three CA cities are seeing falling prices, slower sales, and fewer new listings.

San Diego Airport Now Offers Nonstop Flight To Panama

Copa Airlines officially launched its new nonstop service between San Diego and Panama City.

$93M Tax Fraud Ringleader Paralyzed After Accomplices Tried To Silence Him: FBI

The man was nearly killed by his co-conspirators, who wanted to keep him from speaking with law enforcement about the scheme, the FBI said.

Post-Wildfire Price Gouging Protections Extended In LA County

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday agreed to extend price gouging protections on local rental housing

Getty Villa Reopens 6 Months After Destructive Palisades Fire

The Getty Villa is reopening this weekend for the first time after the destructive Palisades Fire.

Thieves Steal Raw Footage From Valley Film Shoot In Still-Unsolved Break-In

The footage still hasn't been recovered a month after the early-morning San Fernando Valley break in.

OC Smoke Shop Sold Illegal Pot, Magic Mushrooms To Minors, Police Say
Detectives seized over 450 pounds of THC/cannabis, magic mushrooms, nitrous oxide and prohibited tobacco products from the store.