The year’s biggest merger teams two household names, robot-cars prowl the streets of the Steel City to mixed reviews, and a phone-maker faces more fire(s).

The coffee king sweetens the deal with healthier offering, nothing runs (from the feds) like a deere, and the wheels are about to come off the stagecoach, big-time.

The Colonel tries to kick his drug habit as computer snafus and sluggish sales ground two major consumer brands.

This was a busy week for some of the world’s biggest and most recognized brands in fast food, fast fitness and fast cars. So eat up, suit up and buckle up. (Seriously: buckle up.)

It’s all over this week. Over-shopping and over-sharing over the Internet have put profits over the top for two familiar firms, while a venerable kids’ TV show tells its long-time stars “it’s over.”

It’s a close shave as to who had a better week: a popular start-up or an association for tall men in short pants. And it turns out the “fair and balanced” network’s founder was neither.

This week, we’re standing the good/bad/worse model on its ear to include a smart move by the leading purveyor of coffee culture, a novel move by an automotive giant, and a mixed bag for a gaming goliath.

Once left for dead, an iconic junk-food brand is rising again with new dough. Meanwhile, the recall bug bites a hot (really hot) two-wheeled toy. And who nose what’s up at a troubled restaurant chain?  

Poultry’s path to your plate is about to become more palatable; a furniture chain faces safety recalls; and the feds come down hard on three auto makers, including issuing “unsafe to drive” warnings.

Microsoft links up with LinkedIn, the feds tell a grocery chain to “cool it,” and a venerable media brand chooses a honkin’ new name.

A popular beer brand earns kudos for striking a blow against those who strike women while the future looks anything but sweet for sugar-filled drinks and an online gossip rag.

One chain benefits from women working out, while another signals that women just won’t work out. And if all that working out makes you hungry for your favorite snack food, read before you reach.

More of the ultra-rich decide to give it all away, while one manufacturer is forced to take it all back. And three iconic American brands may be on the move.

One big-box retailer nails down rising profits as another drops its pants in the land of the rising sun. And it’s not-so-happy trails for the leading brand in off-roading.

It’s a slam-dunk for one industry leader and its employees, while yet another automaker gets caught fudging the numbers. And the feds put fantasy sports gaming under the microscope.

This week’s installment takes us back to the wild world of retail, where we find an industry giant re-focusing its efforts on saying “hello” and two unfortunate players preparing to say “goodbye.”  There’s a Beatles song in there somewhere.

A rare earnings funk takes the shine off the world’s most-admired brand while another can’t seem to put the brakes on its downhill slide. And a tasty move by one CEO proves that culture really is the creamy goodness at the center of a great brand.

This week’s brand review focuses on fluctuating American tastes… and waists.

This week’s brand news includes planes and trains but no automobiles (for a change).