Burger project grills Trump ‘apprentices’

Giving product placement a new twist, Burger King got its latest recipe from the mogul wannabes on “The Apprentice.”

A burger that debuted in 7,800 restaurants nationwide Friday came straight out of Thursday night’s premiere episode for the third season of Donald Trump’s reality TV show, in which contestants compete for the chance to get a job with the billionaire businessman.

The two teams each had to design a new Burger King product and then sell it while running two busy stores in midtown Manhattan during lunchtime.

The winning team, Networth, hawked a Western Angus steak burger, loaded with cheese, barbecue sauce, onion rings, lettuce and tomatoes.

Survey

Consumers’ optimism drops in early 2005

Consumers’ outlook on the economy was less rosy in the first half of the month, according to a leading survey released Friday that attempts to gauge the mood of the nation’s shoppers.

The University of Michigan’s mid-month report on consumer sentiment for January showed that its headline index fell to 95.8 from 97.1 in December.

Expectations on the economy dragged down the main index as those surveyed reported a more upbeat assessment of current conditions.

Credit

Discover to issue Wal-Mart cards

In the latest challenge to the Visa and MasterCard dominance of the American credit card market, Discover Financial Services Inc. announced Friday that it is teaming with Wal-Mart to issue a credit card to customers of the world’s largest retailer.

It is Discover’s first major card deal since the U.S. Supreme Court last October let stand an antitrust ruling that forced Visa and MasterCard to stop preventing their member banks from issuing rival cards. That made it possible for Discover and the American Express Co. to begin seeking American partners to issue their cards.

Coming Sunday

With mortgage interest rates poised to rise and dozens of new homes headed to market, competition is heating up for people looking to sell their existing homes this spring. Sunday’s Business page will feature tips for making your home the most attractive and cost-effective listing on the market.