Business Beat for Monday, Oct. 13, 2014

McDonald’s wants you to ask about its food. Really.

McDonald’s Corp. has enlisted former MythBusters castmember Grant Imahara for the hamburger chain’s new “Our Food. Your Questions.” campaign. Imahara will visit McDonald’s suppliers and restaurants to answer customers’ questions in a series of online videos. The Oak Brook-based chain, which kicked off the campaign Monday, wants people to submit food questions via social media.

Flight attendants don’t like new electronics rule

The nation’s largest flight attendants union wants airline passengers to return to stowing cellphones during takeoffs and landings.

ADM buying Specialty Commodities for $170 million

The company distributes natural and organic ingredients to businesses that make snacks, ice cream, cereal, and pet foods.

US indexes slide; Airlines, energy stocks drop

The stock market couldn’t shake off a case of the jitters from last week and closed sharply lower again on Monday. Airlines, energy and materials stocks were among the biggest decliners.

Southwest begins long-distance flights from Dallas

Southwest on Monday launched its first long-distance flights from its home base in Dallas to seven U.S. cities, including Chicago.

Ford hiring 850 workers for new truck

Ford recently completed a $359 million renovation of the Dearborn Truck plant to prepare for its new aluminum-clad F-150.

Boeing gets $4.9 billion order for 50 737s

PT Garuda Indonesia ordered for 50 single-aisle planes from Chicago-based airplane maker. The airline already operates 77 Boeing 737s. [Bloomberg]

Aaron’s to pay $28 million settlement in California

The rent-to-own business was accused of overcharging customers, omitting contract disclosures and installing spy software on laptops.

Snapchat blames third-party apps for hack

If third-party apps are the blame for user photos being accessed, will Snapchat shut down its API? [Re/code]

GM ignition switch deaths rise to 27

At least 27 people have died and 25 people have been seriously injured in crashes involving General Motors cars with defective ignition switches.

JC Penney names Marvin Ellison as its next CEO

Department store operator J.C. Penney named Home Depot executive Marvin Ellison to be its next CEO.

Native Foods Cafe making vegan meals mainstream

The fast-casual chain, where everything on the menu is vegan, is expanding across the country. It has 5 restaurants in Chicago. [USA Today]

RV company plans northern Indiana expansion

Shipshewana-based KZRV says it will spend nearly $5 million to expand its operations in northern Indiana.

Targa buying Atlas Pipeline, Atlas Energy

Targa Resources is buying Atlas Pipeline Partners and Atlas Energy in a deal valued at close to $6 billion, creating a huge energy transportation and storage company.

Steris to spend $1.9B on UK’s Synergy Health

Steris Corp. will spend about $1.9 billion to buy a British sterilization services company, as U.S. businesses continue to seek overseas incorporations despite attempts to make such tax-saving maneuvers less lucrative.