Today’s Business Beat – Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014

McDonald’s, Walgreen, Groupon among early users of Apple Pay

Chicago-area companies McDonald’s Corp., Walgreen Co. and Groupon Inc. will be among the first retailers participating in Apple Pay, which is expected to debut in October.

ALSO: Bigger iPhones, Apple Pay and Apple Watches

Walgreen to face calls for bigger stock buyback

Walgreen Co. will be pressured to boost a $3 billion share buyback now that activist hedge fund Jana Partners LLC struck a deal for a seat on the drugstore chain’s board, Bloomberg reports.

McDonald’s August sales hurt by China scandal

McDonald’s says a key global sales figure fell 3.7 percent in August, driven lower as the world’s biggest hamburger chain’s unit that includes the Asia-Pacific region dropped 14.5 percent due to a food-safety scandal in China.

Boeing-led missile project has quality-control issues: Defense report

A Boeing Co.-led missile project was cited for dozens of quality-control issues in a new report from the Defense Department’s inspector general’s office.

Blaze Pizza to open 3 more restaurants

Build-your-own pizza chain Blaze Pizza plans to open three more restaurants in the Chicago area.

Coach bags Hyatt executive as next president, COO

Coach has brought in the chief financial officer at Hyatt to be chief operating officer at the luxury handbag and accessories company.

Jake Leinenkugel retires from craft brewery

Jake Leinenkugel announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as president of the craft brewery started by his great-great-grandfather and will be succeeded by his younger brother Dick Leinenkugel.

Trump Entertainment files for bankruptcy

Trump Entertainment Resorts has become the latest Atlantic City casino owner to file for bankruptcy protection. Donald Trump owns a 10 percent stake in the firm but no longer controls it.

BGC Partners makes $675M cash offer for GFI Group

BGC Partners Inc. is offering $675 million in cash for the derivatives and currency broker GFI Group Inc., trying to derail a competing bid from Chicago-based CME Group.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar receive FTC request

Dollar Tree Inc. said Tuesday it has received a request from the Federal Trade Commission for more information about its proposed takeover of Family Dollar Stores Inc. Rival Dollar General has offered two larger bids for Family Dollar, but both bids have been rejected.

Complaint sparks probe of Chrysler minivan stalling issue

A man’s complaint that his Chrysler minivan stalled unexpectedly after refueling has brought an inquiry from U.S. safety regulators.

Stocks fall for second day; Apple slips

Stocks fell for a second straight day Tuesday as investors were left unimpressed by Apple’s latest batch of product announcements. Negative news out of Home Depot and McDonald’s also weighed on the market.

Letting your car find a spot and park itself

With a thumb swipe on a smartphone, your car one day will be able to drive into a parking deck, find an open spot and back into a space — all by itself. Then, when you’re done with dinner or a business meeting, the car will return to you after another swipe of the thumb.

China is Ikea’s fastest growing market

Ikea, the world’s largest furniture retailer, says its sales are growing globally, with China now its fastest-growing market.

Google seeks help defining ‘Right to be Forgotten’

Google chairman Eric Schmidt and privacy and freedom of information experts are holding the first of seven public sessions to help the company define a new “Right to be Forgotten” established by the European Union’s top court.

College savings on the rise

The good news is that Americans are saving more than ever for college. The bad news is that the average amount wouldn’t come close to getting a person a degree.