Today's Business Beat - Monday, Sept. 8, 2014

Andy Ihnatko’s best guess about the iWatch (if it’s really called that)

This is my last chance to write about an Apple wearable device while such a thing is still merely hypothetical. Any remaining speculation, rumors, or other such inventory MUST GO today, because Apple will almost certainly show its cards on Tuesday afternoon.

AbbVie improperly blocked AndroGel competition: FTC

AbbVie Inc. was accused Monday of filing baseless patent-infringement lawsuits to protect AndroGel from generic competition. The Federal Trade Commission also accused the North Chicago company of improperly paying a drugmaker to drop its countersuit and delay sales of its competing product.

Southwest changing the look of its planes

Southwest Airlines will put a new paint job on its planes, adding a splash of bright color as it enters middle age and faces many changes. On Twitter, the reviews came immediately and ranged from “horrible” to “I luv it.”

Ryanair orders up to $22 billion of new jets from Boeing Co.

European airline Ryanair has committed to order 100 of Boeing’s 737 MAX 200 airplanes, valued at $11 billion at list prices. It also has an option to double the order.

Walgreen adds activist hedge fund founder to board

Walgreen has named Jana Partners founder Barry Rosenstein to its board, and the activist investor will get a say in choosing at least one additional director for the nation’s largest drugstore chain.

Mariano’s Oak Lawn to open Tuesday

A Mariano’s grocery store is slated to open Tuesday in the Oak Lawn Stony Creek Promenade near 111th Street and Cicero Avenue.

Blue Chip Marketing sets up River North office

Northbrook-based Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide said Monday it is opening an office in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.

Spire developer asks permission to add partners

Chicago Spire developer Garrett Kelleher has asked for bankruptcy court permission to talk with other possible partners to help fund the stalled 150-floor condominium tower. He needs more than $100 million to jumpstart the project. (Chicago Real Estate Daily)

The Quaker Oats man is growing a milk mustache

The Quaker Oats man will sport a milk mustache in ads and on packages as part of a deal between the Chicago-based company and Milk Processor Education Program. (Crain’s)

Amazon slashes price of Fire smartphone to $1

Amazon slashed the price of its Fire smartphone Monday, a day before Apple is expected to unveil its latest version of the iPhone.

Olive Garden ups ante for all-you-can-eat promos

The Olive Garden restaurant chain on Monday offered 1,000 “Never Ending Pasta Pass” deals via its website that allows customers to eat all the pasta he or she wants for seven weeks.

Twitter tests shopping service

Twitter is testing a way to let users go shopping or make charitable contributions between tweets.

Whole Foods Market announces Instacart delivery

Whole Foods Market Inc. has partnered with Instacart to offer grocery delivery within an hour for online purchasers in more than a dozen cities, including Chicago.

Hertz chairman and CEO Frissora steps down

Hertz chairman and CEO Mark Frissora has stepped down from his posts for personal reasons. He had served as CEO since January 2007.

Electrolux to buy GE Appliances in $3.3B deal

Sweden’s Electrolux is buying the appliances business of General Electric for $3.3 billion, boosting its presence on the North American market, the companies said Monday. The acquisition is the largest ever for Stockholm-based Electrolux, ranked as the world’s second biggest home appliance maker after U.S. rival Whirlpool.

Chiquita postpones meeting on Fyffes to October

Chiquita is postponing a vote on its proposed merger with the Irish fruit seller Fyffes as it awaits a new bid from another potential buyer.

Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy dead at 93

S. Truett Cathy, the billionaire founder of the privately held Chick-fil-A restaurant chain that famously closes on Sundays but also drew unwanted attention on gay marriage in recent years because of his family’s conservative views, died early Monday, a company spokesman said. He was 93.