• The US economy will avoid a recession due to AI, immigration, and high-income consumers, said Michael Arone.
• AI will boost productivity and immigration will dampen inflation, the State Street investment strategist said.
• "A restrictive Fed won't stop the music this time around because the economy's moving to a new rhythm," Arone said.

The US economy will keep growing and ultimately avoid a recession thanks to artificial intelligence, immigration, and rich people.

That's according to State Street chief investment strategist Michael Arone, who said in a recent note that even as the Federal Reserve keeps monetary policy in restrictive territory via high interest rates, that won't be enough to send the economy into a tailspin.

"The risks are growing that the stubborn Fed gradually then suddenly puts the economy in recession," he said. "But the economy may narrowly escape the dreaded recession outcome for these three reasons."

'Artificial intelligence is the real deal'

Even though AI technologies are in the early innings, Arone says they hold a lot of promise for boosting economic productivity, increasing company profits, and igniting further growth for businesses.

"Recent studies assert that AI can improve productivity across a wide range of jobs by 20% to 80%. That compares favorably to another general-purpose technology, steam power," he said.

Arone notes that steam power sparked the Industrial Revolution, and that technology increased productivity by just 18% to 22% when it was installed in factories.

If AI can improve productivity by a multiple of that, it could unlock significant economic benefits in the future — and those benefits should more than outweigh any policy mistake by the Fed, Arone said.

'Immigration delivers surprising economic benefits'

Americans can thank immigrants for the continued progress in battling inflation, according to Arone.

"Many people underappreciated the role that increasing immigration has played in stabilizing the post-pandemic labor market without further flattering inflationary pressures," he said.

Wage inflation soared during the early days of the pandemic, which stoked overall inflation to a cycle peak of 9.1% in June 2022. But the influx of more than 1.5 million immigrants in 2023 helped balance out supply and demand in the labor market, Arone said.

"The pace of immigration increases over the past couple of years is consistent with past economic expansions. And, with job openings remaining elevated in immigrant-dependent service industries, participation rates are likely to increase over the next two years, further boosting the labor market," he said.

Arone also notes that the increase in immigrants can have a compounding impact on the US economy overtime. He says while this set of workers will typically take low-skill service jobs upon their arrival in the country, some of them will become entrepreneurs and stoke innovation, consumption, and fiscal contributions.

'High-end consumers are in great shape'

For all the concerns about rising delinquency rates and more than $1 trillion in credit card debt, Arone says the high-income cohort of the US population is in strong financial shape.

He says that's important because people who earn $150,000 or more are responsible for a 40% of US consumer spending.

"They own 85% of stocks, 80% of bonds, and two-thirds of liquid assets. Yet, they only make up about one-third of consumer credit card balances," Arone said, citing data from Empirical Research Partners.

This demographic is on pace to see their wages grow 5% this year, and they are expected to increase their spending by 8% this year, which could be even higher if inflation continues to fall and stock and home prices continue to rise, Arone said.

"In a departure from past periods, higher stock and home prices combined with a significant increase in their interest income has enabled top earners to spend solidly throughout this tighter monetary policy cycle," he said.

Taken together, this suggests to Arone that the US economy is on track for solid growth in the coming quarters and will ultimately avoid a recession, and that should enable a continued rise in the stock market.

"A restrictive Fed won't stop the music this time around because the economy's moving to a new rhythm," he said.

• Russia appears to have changed its tactics in its Monday missile barrage, making it tougher on Ukrainian defenders.
• War analysts say Russia may be innovating its tactics, and possibly its technology as well.
• ISW said the intent is to "maximize damage."

Russia seems to have changed tactics in a Monday missile strike that struck targets across Ukraine, including a children's hospital, to "maximize damage," war analysts said.

"Unfortunately, the enemy is constantly improving not only reconnaissance and strike UAVs, but also other means of air attack — cruise and ballistic missiles," former Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Col. Yuriy Ihnat said on Facebook regarding Russia's latest barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles.

Ihnat said that some of Russia's missiles flew at incredibly low altitudes, with some flying as low as 50 meters, making them more difficult to shoot down.

"People on the ground sometimes squeeze the impossible out of available weapons and equipment to shoot down as many Russian missiles and drones as possible," he said. He said that out of the 44 Russian missiles launched, Ukraine was able to shoot down 33.

The weapons that broke through, like the Kh-101 cruise missile that struck the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, may have been able to do so because the Russians "may have innovated their tactics and/or technology," war experts said, noting Ukraine has been pretty good at shooting down Russian cruise missiles.

Analysts at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War suggest that Russian changes are likely intended to "inflict maximum damage on Ukrainian infrastructure by giving Ukrainian air defense practically no time to respond until the missile is already within close range of the ground."

In addition to launching missiles at extremely low altitudes, Ihnat said Russia has also improved the capabilities of its missiles with approaches like heat trap technology designed to fool air defenses. Other innovations may make weapons harder to detect.

"Russia has consistently adapted the strike packages it uses against Ukraine to take advantage of Ukraine's air defense shortages," ISW said, "and the July 8 strikes represent a new and adapted strike package that Ukraine will need to learn to respond to with requisite levels of Western-provided air defense systems."

Russia's missiles struck targets in several cities, including the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, on Monday, killing at least 39 people, per the latest figures.

The Russian Ministry of Defense denied claims that it intentionally targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and argued that the weapon that struck the hospital was actually a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile.

Although Russia has attacked civilian centers on many occasions, the Kremlin has often claimed that it does not target civilian infrastructure.

In the aftermath of Monday's strike, weapons and war experts, citing visual evidence of the strike, argued that Russia is "gaslighting" because the weapon that struck the hospital was definitely a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.

• After working on cruise ships for nearly 10 years, there are some things I'd never do on board. 
• I'd take advantage of the cruise line's digital app but would skip paying for a virtual balcony.
• I've found booking excursions independently isn't worth the cheaper price. 

After working on various cruise ships all over the world for nearly a decade, I know a lot about their inner workings, from the best onboard activities to the tastiest dining options.

But with this knowledge, there are also things I'd now never do on ships. 

I wouldn't skip downloading the cruise line's digital app 

We're living in a digital age, so most major cruise lines have apps that provide all of the essential information for your vacation.

These apps include logistics like port times, activities, and dress codes. Plus you can often use them to make dining and show reservations. Some can even unlock your cabin door or make a personal calendar of your events.

Excursions booked independently of the ship come with extra risks 

Excursions booked through the ship come with the guarantee that if your tour runs late, the ship will wait for it to return.

Many guests book external tours for a cheaper price, but it's often not worth it. I've seen my fair share of passengers running down the pier and missing the ship.

Excursions booked through the cruise are the safest option if you're worried about your ship leaving without you. 

Lining up to get off the ship first usually gets you nowhere 

Every time the ship pulls into port, it's not uncommon for passengers to congregate near the gangway exits, crowding the staircases and hallways.

This can be difficult for the ship since customs officers often have to come on board and inspect these areas.

Crowding can be a major no-no and can delay ship clearance, so most of the time, the crew ends up sending these guests back upstairs to wait. If you're hard-pressed to get off early, look into buying a shore excursion that grants you a priority exit once the ship is cleared. 

I wouldn't book a virtual balcony 

Some ships offer virtual balconies, a large screen with ocean views, but I don't think they're worth it. 

You pay more money for a screen to show you the outside world, and a lot of the time, the electronic adds some heat to the room. If you want a view, spring for an actual balcony or get a window instead. 

There's no need to pack prohibited items

Certain items like irons, steamers, and liquor are usually not permitted on cruise ships, but guests often pack them anyway. You may think you can get away with it, but luggage gets scanned in the terminal.

If you have any prohibited items, your bags will be held longer in the security area and may not be delivered to your room until later. Your belongings can also be confiscated until the end of the cruise. 

Removing gratuities can affect the livelihood of the crew

Cruise ships typically charge automatic gratuities that are split between a few different departments and are essential to many crew members' paychecks.

But they're not mandatory to keep, and many guests remove them when they get on board.

Unless you're going to tip the staff individually, removing the gratuities affects the income of crew members and their families.

I wouldn't eat at the same spot every night 

I know a lot of guests are glued to their favorite food spots on the ship, from the buffet to the main dining room, but one of the best parts of cruising is the delicious and diverse eateries.

Some options are included while others are an extra cost, but I've found you typically get way more bang for your buck while dining at onboard restaurants. 

This story was originally published on October 5, 2022, and most recently updated on July 9, 2024.

• Years ago, I quit my desk job in NYC to work as an entertainment host for a major cruise line.
• The first few weeks were overwhelming, but I quickly adjusted to the lifestyle.  
• The living quarters were incredibly small, and there were mandatory weekly inspections.  

After I graduated from college with a journalism degree, I got a job at a highly regarded publication in New York City.

However, my two-hour commute and crowded cubicle were anything but glamorous. I started getting stress-induced bald spots and endlessly scrolled through Instagram, desperate to find a way to make a living as a nomad.

When I learned that onboard cruise-ship employees get a paycheck while traveling and meeting new people every day, I auditioned to be an entertainment host for a major cruise line. When I got the job, I left New York for good on my first contract, which lasted seven months.

Now, I've worked on cruise ships for nearly a decade and have visited 79 countries. Here are seven things that first surprised me most about working on a cruise.

I've barely met any other Americans working on cruise ships

The first day I boarded a cruise ship, my crew members coined me "Erica from America" since I was just one of nine American employees.

I've noticed similar numbers since. Crew members come from all over the world, and I've always found a very small percentage of Americans working on board.

Even years later, everyone in my life calls me Erica from America — and it's the name on my TikTok handle.

The first week of working on a ship can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful 

Safety is the most important thing on cruises. So, whether a crew member is a brand-new hire or they've been working there for 20 years, they have to complete safety training during the first few weeks — and that's in addition to their regular job prep.

Between presenting all of my medical paperwork to officers to learning about fire codes, I've always found the crews' onboarding process intimidating.

The first day I walked on a ship, I learned how to operate a deadly, watertight door. I cried in the bathroom every day for a week straight. The requirements were a lot to handle, especially after hours of travel, but life on board got so much easier after the first few weeks.

The crew cabins are seriously cramped

On the ships where I've worked, the crew cabins are about half the size of a walk-in closet, and the wardrobes have just enough space to fit five hangers on each side. Not to mention, I've usually lived in those tiny spaces with two other employees I don't know.

The cabins typically also have a mini fridge and a flat-screen TV that can swing to face the top bunk.

The bathroom is usually so tiny that I can bathe, brush my teeth, and use the toilet without taking barely any steps. Showers are often so small that the curtain clings to my butt when I'm in it.

My roommates and I also have to prepare for mandatory cabin inspections once per week, which is when staff checks that our quarters are orderly.

The dating culture is dramatic but can also be amazing

I expected to experience college-like drama on the ship, but the reality was even wilder.

As a crew member, I'm often surrounded by adults who are away from home for nine months at a time, working extremely hard, and trotting around the world.

Some are married, some are single, and some are married but "single" on ships. Many of the people I meet are truly amazing partners, but others are not. Life on a ship brings many heartbreaks, but it also leads to plenty of amazing love stories.

It wasn't hard for me to adjust to the lifestyle

Working on a ship isn't for everyone, and I've seen many people quit within their first month.

Some crew members work eight to 12 hours per day, with no days off, for seven months straight. However, my coworkers love this lifestyle and their jobs. If you don't, you probably won't make it very long on board. 

Working on a ship, we wake up in a different country virtually every day and appreciate every free moment. Being part of such an amazing group of people is the most special experience I've ever had. I feel such a sense of community and morale with the other crew members.

Contracts can vary, but I often have time to relax for a few months between them where I can eat junk food, sleep all day, and catch up on pop culture. 

Crew life is a blast, even after work

Cruise-ship crews are known for partying after work, and in my experience, that's partially true. However, there are very strict alcohol policies for the staff when they're working, so learning a level of self-control is crucial.

There's usually an onboard bar for crew members, where the drinks are cheap and the parties are so much fun. Ships usually have a human-resource team on board that plans events for the crew, offers support, and organizes onshore crew tours.

Some cruise employees, like entertainment hosts, get more time off in the ports than others because they don't interact with guests as much when the ship is docked. I've been lucky to explore parts of the world I never thought I'd see in person. I've gone dogsledding in Alaska, run around Petra, and gone cave-diving for glowworms in New Zealand.

This journey can feel full of love but also lonely 

Although I've made amazing friends who feel like family since boarding my first ship, I realized that I'm truly on my own throughout this journey.

It's special to be surrounded by hundreds of crew members and passengers, but no one will ever experience things exactly the same way I do.

I feel close to other crew members because of our shared lifestyle on the water. However, when I return home from a contract, I sometimes find it harder to relate to land-based friends and family. Still, I'm so lucky to have a supportive family who visits me a lot.

It's hard to describe my lifestyle to people who have never experienced ship life. The truth is that I can feel lonely at times, but living on the ships is the most enthralling and fulfilling thing I've ever chosen to do. 

This story was originally published on May 10, 2021, and most recently updated on July 9, 2024.

• Joseph Stiglitz and other Nobel Prize-winning economists are worried about another Trump administration.
• They explained why in a letter, and Stiglitz further explained in a Business Insider interview in June.
• Inflation is one concern, which has cooled from its peak in 2022.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz told Business Insider in a June interview the US economy is "remarkably strong."

However, Stiglitz and others foresee a potential resurgence of inflation and other woes depending on who wins the next presidential election.

"I think general consensus, not just my view, but almost anybody modeling what is going on would say the Trump administration would be more inflationary," Stiglitz told BI. "How much more depends on how radical they are. And that depends on where Congress is. If they have a Democratic Congress, they won't have the ability to do what they would do with a Republican Congress."

The Republican National Committee this week adopted Trump's 2024 platform. Among the promises in the agenda was to "END INFLATION, AND MAKE AMERICA AFFORDABLE AGAIN."

Stiglitz recently spearheaded a letter signed by over a dozen Nobel Prize-winning economists. The letter, which was first obtained by Axios, stated the economists were "deeply concerned about the risks of a second Trump administration for the U.S. economy."

The economists predicted dire results from a Trump victory this fall. "The outcome of this election will have economic repercussions for years, and possibly decades, to come," the letter stated. "We believe that a second Trump term would have a negative impact on the U.S.'s economic standing in the world and a destabilizing effect on the U.S.'s domestic economy."

FiveThirtyEight reports as of its last update on July 8 that its "model thinks the presidential election could go either way."

Business Insider talked to Stiglitz in June before the presidential debate about the economy if Trump is once again president. Stiglitz said the widely shared view is this could result in higher inflation, worse inequality, and a potential broader economic slowdown. Massive progress has already been made in cooling off inflation.

Stiglitz pointed out how remarkably the inflation rate had cooled down without leading to high unemployment. The US unemployment rate had been at or under 4% since the end of 2021, a historically long stretch of low joblessness, before the unemployment rate increased to 4.1% this past June.

Stiglitz noted Trump's promise of large increases in tariffs as one of the things that could make inflation worse.

"Those tariffs overwhelmingly get passed on to consumers and increasing their prices and get fed down the supply chain — again, increasing prices to consumers," Stiglitz said.

Another could be the large decrease in taxes Trump proposed "that are not paid for and increasing the budgetary deficit from the level that it is today," Stiglitz said.

"And given where we are, I think the broad assessment is that that would be inflationary," he said. "And the broad assessment of the consequences of that is that the Fed would be forced to raise interest rates, and all that combined would still serve to increase inflation even as unemployment increased and GDP slowed."

A third factor that could juice inflation would be the "drastic reductions in immigration" that Trump has proposed, Stiglitz said.

There are different sectors of the US economy that rely on immigration, and Stiglitz said that the tight labor market could become even tighter with this drop in immigration.

Stiglitz also pointed to the possibility of a partial or full repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a Medicare prescription drug provision, among other things. "Without that, which Republicans had talked about repealing, drug prices will go up."

Outside of the risks to inflation, Stiglitz said a Trump presidency could also mean a slowing GDP. Another problem that could get worse is the inequality crisis.

Stiglitz pointed to Trump's tax policy as one that could boost inequality.

"The tax cut is a tax cut for the corporations and the billionaires," Stiglitz said. "If you look at the share of the tax cuts that go to the bottom, very small. In fact, in some of my analysis I suggested that it's even possible that some parts of the bottom would see a tax increase."

CNN and others noted statements from the Trump campaign disagreeing with the letter that the 16 economists signed.

"The American people don't need worthless out of touch Nobel prize winners to tell them which president put more money in their pockets," Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's national press secretary, told CNN in a statement. "Americans know we cannot afford four more years of Bidenomics, and when President Trump is back in the White House, he will reimplement his pro-growth, pro-energy, pro-jobs agenda to bring down the cost of living and uplift all Americans."

• Skydance, the film studio owned by David Ellison, will merge with Paramount in an $8 billion deal.
• Skydance's biggest backer is private equity firm RedBird, a top player in sports and media.
• Meet the mastermind behind RedBird, ex-Goldman Sachs partner and Yankees dealmaker Gerry Cardinale.

After months of negotiations, Paramount has inked a merger agreement with film studio Skydance Media, owned by David Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle founder Larry.

A key player in the negotiations is Skydance's private equity backer RedBird Capital Partners. The Ellison family and RedBird will invest $6 billion and $2 billion, respectively, to take over Paramount and bolster its balance sheet. The merged entity, dubbed "New Paramount," will stay public.

An investor in Skydance since 2020, RedBird is the media company's largest shareholder other than the Ellison family. In the 10 years since its founding, RedBird has emerged as a top dealmaker in sports and entertainment with $10 billion in assets.

Founder and chief executive Gerry Cardinale made his name at Goldman Sachs as the banker to the New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys, and the NFL. The merger comes as "incumbent media companies are increasingly challenged by technological disintermediation," Cardinale said in a press release.

"Paramount has the intellectual property foundation to ensure longevity through this evolution — but it will require a new generation of visionary leadership together with experienced operational management to navigate this next phase," he added.

RedBird, owner of football club AC Milan since 2022, has been on a shopping spree. In May, it acquired All3Media, the TV and film production company behind "Fleabag," for £1.15 billion (some $1.4 billion). It attempted to buy the UK newspaper, the Telegraph, before withdrawing in April. Last month, RedBird joined forces with Weatherford Capital to launch an investment fund for collegiate sports.

David Ellison will helm New Paramount as its CEO. Jeff Shell, ex-NBCUniversal CEO and current chairman of sports and media at RedBird, will report to Ellison as president.

The deal is typical of Cardinale's playbook. RedBird isn't a typical buyout firm, instead installing new management and leveraging intellectual properties to build larger businesses. Skydance has already successfully co-produced the "Top Gun" reboot with Paramount and holds the rights to produce and finance other Paramount properties, including Transformers.

"I think it's my biggest competitive advantage that I don't get emotionally attached," Cardinale told Business Insider in 2022. "They're all pieces of intellectual property that have a legitimate right to be monetized as long as they balance the fan-social contract at the same time."

Business Insider spoke with 27 of Cardinale's colleagues and peers to learn more about his winning strategy. One of his superpowers, many said, is his relationship savvy. Many of RedBird's business partnerships date back to his Goldman days.

"He had a knack for developing relationships with entrepreneurs, particularly those with more of a maverick style," said Jon Winkelried, the CEO of TPG and the former copresident of Goldman Sachs. "There are a lot of smart investors who can run the numbers, who can figure out the cash flows, but it is very hard to get high-powered people who have accomplished a lot to want to allocate some of their valuable time to you. People want to spend their time with Gerry."

READ THE FULL STORY: How Gerry Cardinale became the go-to dealmaker for the Yankees, AC Milan, and Ben Affleck

• Season 21 of "The Bachelorette" began on Monday.
• In honor of the new season, we found what other "Bachelorette" stars wore on their first nights.
• Unsurprisingly, there's a lot of sequins, glitter, and metallics.

It's summer, which means it's once again time to head over to the Bachelor Mansion and watch the latest Bachelorette fall in love on reality TV.

For "The Bachelorette," one of the most important looks of the season is the night-one look. It's both the lead's first impression with her potential suitors and with the world as they watch her begin her journey to find love.

In recent years, "Bachelorette" leads have worn custom beaded dresses that cost upwards of $10,000, usually designed by Randi Rahm.

But the night-one gowns weren't always red-carpet worthy.

Here's how the style of "The Bachelorette" has evolved across 21 seasons.

Trista (then) Rehn was our very first "Bachelorette" star. Her night-one look is much more understated than they would soon become.

The inaugural "Bachelorette" season premiered on January 8, 2003. Rehn had initially appeared on the first season of "The Bachelor," vying for Alex Michel's heart in March 2002. Rehn was the runner-up.

Rehn found her soulmate on the show in Ryan Sutter. The two are still married and have two kids, Max and Blakesley.

Meredith Phillips was the star of the second season. Her dress was a little more glamorous with the glittering detailing on the back.

Phillips' season premiered in January 2004. She placed third on Bob Guiney's season of "The Bachelor" back in November 2003.

Phillips got engaged at the end of the show to Ian McKee, but they broke up a year after the finale aired, according to People.

DeAnna Pappas' dress was more daring than her predecessors' dresses. She wore a plunging neckline.

After a three-year break, "The Bachelorette" returned in 2008 for season four with Pappas, one of the two final contestants who were rejected by Brad Womack. Womack was left with two women and didn't choose either one.

She got engaged to Jesse Csincsak but the two broke up soon after the finale aired, reported People. They both ultimately found love within Bachelor Nation, however. Pappas married Stephen Stagliano, whose twin brother Michael appeared on Jillian Harris's season. Csinscak is married to Ann Lueders, who was eliminated on night one of Jason Mesnick's season.

Jillian Harris' dress on her first night as the lead was all about the back.

Harris was the fifth woman to take up the mantle in May 2009 after coming in third on Jason Mesnick's season. Notably, she was the first non-American to become a lead — she was born and raised in Alberta, Canada.

Harris chose Ed Swiderski, who'd actually left mid-season and returned, and the two were engaged for about a year before breaking up, reported Us Weekly.

Ali Fedotowsky chose a simple black gown and, as a result, blended in with her suitors. It's now easy to understand why leads are decked out in sequins.

Fedotowsky won our hearts when she made the tough decision to leave Jake Pavelka's season because of her career. She probably dodged a bullet anyway — Pavelka's not remembered fondly by Bachelor Nation.

She went on to get engaged to Roberto Martinez, but according to People, the two only lasted a year.

Ashley Hebert rocked a jewel-encrusted dress on the first night of her season — it's a trend that lives on to this day.

Hebert came in third on Brad Womack's more successful second season — more on that later. She had to deal with all-time villain Bentley, but eventually got her happy ending with JP Rosenbaum.

The couple married and had two children together, Fordham and Essex. But in October 2020, they announced they were splitting up after eight years of marriage.

The color of Emily Maynard's dress also became a popular choice among the leading ladies.

Maynard actually won the season of "The Bachelor" she appeared on. She was engaged to Brad Womack for a few months before breaking it off.

Her season was filmed in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, because she didn't want to leave her daughter for months at a time as she was filming.

Maynard chose Jef Holm as her winner, but the two broke up shortly after filming after a cheating scandal.

Desiree Hartsock wore a metallic silver dress.

Hartsock came in fourth on Sean Lowe's season of "The Bachelor." Luckily, it worked out for both of them. Lowe is still with his winner, Catherine Giudici, and Hartsock married her season's winner, Chris Siegfried, in 2015, according to ABC. Hartsock gave birth to their second baby, Zander, in January 2019.

Andi Dorfman's dress was more ornate than any other "Bachelorette" star's.

We'd expect nothing less from Dorfman, who broke from "Bachelorette" tradition and dumped Juan Pablo Galavis on his season of "The Bachelor" because she simply wasn't feeling it.

Dorfman's relationship with her winner, Josh Murray, only lasted a few months before ending. He went on to appear on "Bachelor in Paradise" and had another devastating breakup.

Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson wore black and white dresses, respectively. We can't help but feel that their color choices were intentional — Nilsson was the traditional America's sweetheart, while Bristowe was a bit edgier.

Both Nilsson and Bristowe were chosen to be "The Bachelorette" for one night only in season 11. The men were then asked to vote for who they wanted to find love with, and Nilsson left the show brokenhearted while Bristowe went on her journey to find love.

Bristowe stayed with her winner, Shawn Booth, for three years before breaking up in 2018. She then dated another member of Bachelor Nation, Jason Tartick, for four years before breaking off their engagement in August 2023.

JoJo Fletcher combined the shade of Emily Maynard's dress and the sparkles of Ashley Hebert's for her night one look.

Fletcher won over Bachelor Nation when she left Ben Higgins' season brokenhearted after he committed a cardinal sin in Bachelor Nation: He told the final two women that he was in love with both of them.

Thankfully, it all worked out for Fletcher. She tied the knot with her season's winner, Jordan Rodgers, in May 2022, and the two have worked on many projects together, like a YouTube show and a dating show.

Rachel Lindsay's patterned white dress looked beautiful — and yes, it sparkled.

Lindsay was announced as "The Bachelorette" before she had even been eliminated from Nick Viall's season, but she eventually went on to place third.

As the first Black "Bachelorette" star, Lindsay experienced a lot of pressure but handled it extremely well. She temporarily found her happy ending with Bryan Abasolo, whom she married in August 2019 — but Abasolo filed for divorce in January 2024, reported People.

Becca Kufrin also chose a white, sparkly gown.

Kufrin might have been the Bachelorette with the biggest fanbase behind her. After an excruciating on-camera breakup with Arie Luyendyk, people all over the country were sending Kufrin money for wine on Venmo.

She got something even better than alcohol money, though — she became the next "Bachelorette" star to find love with her winner. Kufrin and her final contestant, the controversial Garrett Yrigoyen, were engaged for two years before breaking up in September 2020.

She's now married to Thomas Jacobs, who she met during "Paradise" in 2021. They have a son together.

Hannah Brown's sparkly dress was on trend with "The Bachelorette," but also had a dramatic slit that was very much in line with "Hannah Beast."

Alabama Hannah's journey for love began on May 13, 2019 — here's what this former pageant queen wore on her big night.

While Brown had one of the most beloved arcs in "Bachelor" history, going from a timid contestant on Colton Underwood's season to triumphantly proclaiming that she has had sex, and Jesus still loves her, her season unfortunately ended in heartbreak.

She got engaged to Jed Wyatt, only to find out he basically still had a girlfriend back home. The two lasted a few weeks before calling it off. She now has a fiancé from outside the franchise, Adam Woolard.

Clare Crawley kicked off season 16 of "The Bachelorette" in this funky sequined gown on October 13, 2020.

Crawley also opted for a sequined dress with a thigh-high slit, proving that if something's not broke, don't fix it. However, she wasn't Bachelorette for long, as she exited the show to be with Dale Moss.

Moss and Crawley announced their break-up in January 2021, but it was short-lived. They were spotted together a few months later and then broke up yet again in October.

Crawley is now married to someone outside the franchise, Bryan Dawkins.

Tayshia Adams officially took over as the Bachelorette in November 2020, wearing this beautiful bronze dress.

After Crawley rode off into the sunset with Moss, Adams was called in to replace her as Bachelorette No. 17 — and she looked every bit the part.

She ended her season engaged to Zac Clark, but the two split in November 2021. after a year of dating, reported Page Six.

Katie Thurston opted for a pop of color, something we rarely see from a night one look, for her June 2021, premiere.

Thurston's orange gown resembles shimmery snakeskin — and we're into it. Her bold fashion sense continued all the way through the finale, when she also chose a bright color.

She left her season engaged to Blake Moynes, who had originally vied for Crawley and Adams' hearts, and joined Thurston's season a bit late. They broke up a few months later.

Michelle Young's journey for love kicked off on October 19, 2021. She wore a metallic gown for the occasion.

Fittingly, she looked like she's ready to head into battle with this chain-mail dress, proving that she didn't need a knight in shining armor — she can handle herself.

Young left her season engaged to Nayte Olukoya, but the two broke up in June 2021, around six months after the finale aired, reported The Hollywood Reporter.

In a franchise first, Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey shared duties as co- "Bachelorette" leads in July 2022. Their dresses each conveyed their individual styles.

Recchia opted for an off-white sequined gown with a thigh-high slit designed by franchise-favorite Randi Rahm.

"She wanted that dress from the minute she saw it. I'm sure that the fans will say, 'Oh my God, he's used that same style of dress 14 times. It's another Randi Rahm with a high leg split,'" stylist Cary Fetman told Entertainment Weekly.

As for Windey's sheer black gown, also a Randi Rahm design, Fetman was able to almost entirely deconstruct the beaded gown so that it was almost entirely see-through.

"There's things that were definitely necessary to cover, but the illusion certainly is that you're seeing everything. I can assure ABC, no, you're not seeing everything," he said.

Windey and Recchia are the true lasting love story from their season — neither one lasted long with their respective winners.

Charity Lawson wore a pink-and-red gown designed by Randi Rahm for her premiere in May 2023.

Lawson is, somehow, the first Bachelorette to ever wear pink on the first night of a season.

Rahm told Bachelor Nation that this gown was originally a halter dress, but at the last minute, Lawson asked for it to be made strapless, so they had to "work 24/7 to create a new neckline."

Lawson is still engaged to her winner, Dotun Olubeko.

Jenn Tran's season premiered in July 2024. She wore a scalloped white gown with a halter neckline.

We don't know yet how Tran's love story will turn out, but we do know she looked stunning on the first night of her season.

According to the brand's Instagram, Randi Rahm once again designed this white and silver beaded gown.

• I ordered the same meal at The Capital Grille and LongHorn to see which chain offered the best food.
• The Capital Grille offered a top-notch dining experience with amazing French onion soup.
• LongHorn's French onion soup wasn't my favorite, but my steak was delicious and affordable. 

Many popular chains are owned and operated by the same parent company, but that doesn't mean they're all created equally.

Darden Restaurants owns and operates over 1,900 restaurants, including popular chains like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, and more.

I decided to try two of Darden's popular steak-house chains — LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille — to see which one offered the best value.

To keep things fair, I ordered the same meal from both restaurants — French onion soup, a medium-well filet, and cheesecake. Here's how my experiences at both restaurants compared.

I started at LongHorn, a casual-dining chain restaurant.

LongHorn is a casual chain restaurant that began serving steak in Atlanta in 1981. In 2007, the chain joined Darden Restaurants and now has over 500 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and El Salvador.

The restaurant had cool decor and felt clean and cozy.

With country-inspired wall hangings and chandeliers made of deer antlers, I felt immersed in an environment that created a well-curated dining experience.

Upon being seated, I was given complimentary whole-wheat bread and butter.

I ordered French onion soup as an appetizer.

I ordered a cup of French onion soup as an appetizer, and my server was nice enough to lower the price from $3 to $2 by inputting it as a side with my steak.

The cheese on top of the soup was crusted perfectly, but the broth's creamy texture threw me off. The flavor wasn't bad, but it was a little strong for my liking.

I ordered a 9-ounce filet cooked medium-well with a side of mac and cheese.

For $31, I ordered a 9-ounce filet cooked medium-well.

Each steak at LongHorn comes with a choice of certain side dishes, but I decided to order the mac and cheese, which came with a small upcharge of $3.

LongHorn's mac and cheese had a layer of bacon and a creamy four-cheese blend. It was topped with Parmesan and breadcrumbs, which paired well with the smoky bacon.

The steak was buttery and melted in my mouth.

I was surprised at how delicious my filet was. Although it was cooked a bit more than medium-well, I still enjoyed it.

There were no fatty bits, and my knife slid through it easily. Overall, I had no complaints, which was nice, given how affordable the meal was.

I made sure to leave room for dessert and ordered cheesecake.

I ordered LongHorn's cheesecake, which is topped with a caramel drizzle, whipped cream, and pecans. I'm not usually a huge fan of caramel, but I thoroughly enjoyed the drizzle on this dessert.

The consistency was extremely soft and creamy, and it didn't taste overly sugary, which I loved.

For $10, this was the biggest piece of cheesecake I've ever had.

For $46, my meal at LongHorn was nearly perfect.

From the speed of the service to the quality of each dish, I'd definitely return to LongHorn. I thought $46 for a hefty steak, side, appetizer, and dessert was an amazing deal. The only change I'd make next time is ordering a different soup.

Next up was The Capital Grille, an upscale chain restaurant.

The Capital Grille is an upscale chain restaurant known for its steak that's dry-aged in-house for 18 to 24 days.

Founded in 1990 in Providence, Rhode Island, The Capital Grille was also acquired by Darden Restaurants in 2007. However, this chain is smaller than LongHorn, with only 72 locations in the US, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

I made sure to book a reservation in advance, which was recommended on its website.

The interior was dark, sleek, and chic.

The Capital Grille felt extremely upscale — it was dimly lit with mosaic-like chandeliers, and every employee was dressed in matching uniforms, which differed based on their roles. There was also a dress code for guests.

Like LongHorn, I received a complimentary serving of bread, but this chain offered more variety, including pumpernickel with raisins (my favorite).

For a fair comparison, I ordered the same meal, starting with a French onion soup.

For an appetizer, I ordered the $13 French onion soup. I was impressed with how massive the serving of soup was — and how well-balanced the flavor was.

The cheesy layer took up about half of the bowl, which I loved.

I ordered a 10-ounce filet mignon, which didn't come with a side.

As a main dish, I opted for the 10-ounce filet mignon cooked medium well for $56. Unlike the meal at LongHorn, this steak didn't come with a side. Instead, sides are encouraged as a shareable option between two to three people.

My meal came out quickly, but I thought the exterior was a bit overcooked.

Every steak at The Capital Grille is cooked with the chain's signature in-house butter. This was great for me since I don't like steak sauce. The butter had an umami flavor and complemented the meat very well.

The char was just OK, as the exterior was more cooked than I'd have liked. Other than that, the center was cooked amazingly and was very soft.

Although I was super full, I ordered the cheesecake with berries.

Between the entrée and dessert, I was offered a warm towel to freshen up, which was a sweet touch.

The $13 cheesecake, prepared brûlée style, came with delicious berries and a compote-like sauce.

This was definitely my favorite part of the meal, as the sweetness was great and not overbearing. I just wish it was a bit bigger, as it was a lot smaller than LongHorn's version. In total, my meal cost $82 before tax and tip.

Overall, I felt like I got a better value at LongHorn.

I had a great experience at both chains, and the steaks and desserts were comparable. Although my French onion soup was way better at The Capital Grille, I got more bang for my buck at LongHorn.

I enjoyed my meal more at the cheaper chain because of its more relaxed atmosphere, lower price point, and bigger portions. In the future, I'd only return to The Capital Grille for a special occasion.

• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doubled down on her support of President Joe Biden.
• The New York Democrat said "the matter is closed" and Biden is the party's nominee.
• Some House Democrats have called for Biden to step aside following his disastrous debate performance.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has declared she is firmly behind President Joe Biden, even as some of her fellow House Democrats continue to fret about the president's standing.

"The matter is closed," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters on Monday after returning to Washington. "He had reiterated that this morning. He has reiterated that to the public. Joe Biden is our nominee. He is not leaving this race. He is in this race, and I support him."

Ocasio-Cortez said she had spoken to Biden over the weekend.

Considering her enormous following and popularity among the party's base, Ocasio-Cortez's backing will boost Biden. While six House Democrats have called for Biden to step aside following his disastrous debate performance, the president has managed to contain a massive public outcry for now.

On Monday, Biden made clear that it is time for the party to move on from its soul-searching after his debate performance raised questions about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump. Biden has repeatedly made clear he's not going anywhere.

"The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now," Biden wrote in a letter to House Democrats. "And it's time for it to end."

Ocasio-Cortez, who endorsed Biden last summer, is no stranger to delivering support at critical times. Her decision to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign in 2019 following Sanders' heart attack greatly boosted the senator's campaign during a difficult period. Ultimately, Sanders lost the primary to Biden, but Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement remains a major moment of the 2020 campaign.

• I spent over $120 to try 22 burgers available at the fast-food chain Wendy's.
• The pretzel Baconator was good, but I thought it had too much meat.
• The Baconator was my favorite, and it felt like the perfect meal.

I love grabbing a quick, hot meal on the go, and lucky for me, there are plenty of great fast-food chains around. Fast-food giant Wendy's is known for its "fresh, never frozen" square burgers, making it a go-to spot for many customers craving the diner classic.

Wendy's, which has over 7,000 locations worldwide, carries seven distinct burger categories: Jr. burgers, Double Stacks, Big Bacon burgers, Baconators, Dave's burgers, bacon jalapeño cheeseburgers, and pretzel cheeseburgers. Lately, I've been wondering which Wendy's burger is the best, so I decided to do my own ranking.

Buying all of these burgers wasn't cheap, which, considering fast-food chains' increasing prices, didn't surprise me. Over multiple trips to Wendy's, I spent about $120 and tried 22 burgers. I assigned each order a division and pitted the winners against each other to compile a master ranking.

Here's how the burgers stacked up.

Editor's Note: This piece includes items that are no longer available but may return. 

Division 1: The Double Stacks consisted of 2 contenders

These burgers are known for having two 2-ounce patties and not too many toppings — just cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup, and sometimes mustard. 

The first of this bracket, the original Double Stack, was understandably smaller in real life than in the menu picture

First Impression: In real life, this burger looked a lot smaller than the picture, which I probably should have expected. Its only toppings are ketchup, pickles, and onions.

I thought this one would be pretty good, as you can never go wrong with two patties and some pickles — White Castle understands this. 

It reminded me of a quarter pounder with cheese, but not quite as good

Review: Essentially, this reminded me of a McDonald's quarter pounder with cheese. The pickles were delicious, but there were no onions to be seen. 

All in all, this was a solid burger, even if it wasn't unique. Every establishment needs a menu item like this. 

The bacon Double Stack lacked condiments

First Impression: I spent a while trying to figure out the difference between the bacon Double Stack, the Baconator, and the Big Bacon Classic double.

They each have bacon, cheese, and two patties, but there are a few differences in the toppings. The Big Bacon Classic double has crisp lettuce, tomato, pickle, ketchup, mayo, and onion. 

This burger's rank came down to the value I placed on condiments. Here, I thought having mustard — an oft-forgotten topping among fast-food chains — was a good move.

I enjoyed the mustard, but this option lacked in other departments

Review: Again, this felt like a quarter pounder with cheese and bacon. Was it better than McDonald's? I honestly wasn't sure. It was a little saltier, which could go either way. 

I thought the meat — although underseasoned — was top-notch. The mustard was a nice touch, but the meal could've used a dash more of it. That said, I missed the lettuce and tomato.

Division-1 winner: The bacon Double Stack triumphs for having bacon 

Although these burgers had many good qualities, a lack of toppings held the Double Stacks back.

The bacon alternative slightly beat out the original one, but only because bacon beats no bacon. 

Division 2: All 3 burgers in the Dave's category seemed promising

This collection of burgers is named after the chain's founder, Dave Thomas.

Each toasted bun is stacked with a select number of quarter-pound beef patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, ketchup, and mayo.

The smallest of the options, Dave's single, still has a large patty

First Impression: The single patty on this burger looked about the size of the Double Stack's two. The only difference was this option genuinely looked like a burger, with onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, ketchup, and a toasted bun. 

This is Wendy's version of a classic hamburger, so I was excited to taste the chain's interpretation. 

This burger impressed me

Review: This was an excellent burger. The pickles and lettuce actually crunched, even after I waited to eat it at home. I also liked the addition of mayo and look forward to eating this burger again.

Dave's Double looked like a total classic

First Impression: This order was a great baseline for all of the double burgers since it's such a classic. 

I took this from the Wendy's wrapper and thought, "Yeah, that's a good-looking burger."

This was a quintessential American hamburger

Review: Once again, I was confronted with a great burger. I wanted some bacon, but there was magic in the ketchup and mayo team. I loved the onion as well. 

Dave's triple was a massive burger

First Impression: Wendy's website says to "use both hands" while eating this one, and that's a solid piece of advice.

It was just too … much … food

Review: Wendy's said to use both hands — I needed a third. 

The delicious pickles, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes were lost in this sea of beef. I can't see myself eating this option again unless dared to do so. 

Division-2 winner: Dave's Double easily won this set

Emblematic of the quintessential American hamburger, this meal made me want to get a soda pop and go to the sock hop.

Division 3: The Big Bacon burgers, which had 4 competitive options

The Big Bacon burgers are, unsurprisingly, all stacked with Applewood smoked bacon, but can also include other toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, ketchup, and mayo.

I was excited to dig into the Big Bacon Classic

First Impression: This burger wasn't a whole lot larger than a Dave's single, but it did have bacon on it.

It also had a liberal amount of sauce, and I liked that it came with two pieces of cheese.

I liked that Wendy's didn't skimp on the cheese

Review: This burger was excellent. The two pieces of cheese were a highlight of this burger since a single slice would've gotten lost. 

I grew up near a hole-in-the-wall burger place, and this sandwich reminded me of it. The bacon was super crispy, and the seemingly fresh ingredients stood out. 

This option was better than the Dave's single, but only because bacon makes any burger better. 

If you need a big meal, look no further than the Big Bacon Classic double

First Impression: I honestly thought the double cheeseburgers were the perfect size overall.

I noticed that Wendy's didn't increase the serving of condiments, either. The meal just oozes meat — in a good way. 

It was a classic burger with just the right amount of toppings

Review: This was the ultimate straight-up burger. I liked that Wendy's didn't increase the number of toppings and just added more cheese — it was the right call.

This was a lot of meat, and if there was twice as much bacon, it would've felt like overkill. 

The Big Bacon Classic triple seemed to have too much meat

First Impression: This burger had three patties and three slices of cheese. The question here became whether a burger could truly have too much meat. It was so big it needed two foils to cover it. 

It was literally too much of a handful

Review: The burger was delicious, but I only really tasted the meat. Even the three slices of cheese got lost. The beef also tasted underseasoned to me.

Although promising, this burger lacked the balance of the double. As I ate the massive burger, it nearly slipped out of my hand.

The things that make a good burger great, like lettuce, tomato, and onion, were virtually nonexistent. In this case, less would have been more. 

The Big Bacon cheddar cheeseburger looked delicious

First Impression: I thought this burger looked quite good. I was interested in the cheesy bun — the only completely new ingredient that I could see — and liked how it stacked. I also appreciated that Wendy's picked several classic burger toppings, including bacon and crispy onions. 

Plus, I was optimistic about the addition of cheddar and American cheese. 

This burger had a great balance of flavors

Review: The onions were excellent. They were greasy and a little chewy, but the fried flavor didn't overpower them. 

The combination of cheddar and American cheese was also fantastic. The American cut the sharpness of the cheddar, and it all mixed wonderfully with the bacon. The cheddar bun, however, wasn't very noticeable and tasted a bit like a dull Cheez-It.

That said, the bacon-jam sauce held everything together and then some. It added the perfect amount of sweetness to this savory dish.

Division-3 winner: The Big Bacon cheddar cheeseburger came out on top

Like most of its contenders, this burger was impressively good. Bacon truly is a game-changing ingredient. However, the delicious sauce made this Big Bacon option a standout. 

Division 4: The Baconators, which both looked like strong contenders

Applewood smoked bacon takes a leading role on top of these meaty options — just the name should tell you that — and each burger is paired with just cheese, ketchup, and mayo.

The Baconator seemed like overkill

First Impression: This burger was bun, patty, cheese, bacon, patty, cheese, and more bacon. I like lettuce and tomato, so staring the Baconator down was a little nerve-racking.

There's a reason this is considered Wendy's flagship burger 

Review: My first impression was off — the Baconator lived up to its hype. I would've liked a pickle, just for something a little green, but it was so good. 

There's something to be said for giving the people what they want. The patty meat and bacon went well together, and the cheese held everything in place. 

There was also something so right about the mayo on this sparse burger. It added a mellow flavor to the meat. The ketchup was a nice finishing touch. 

The Son of Baconator looked like it'd be good for someone who wanted a somewhat average portion

First Impression: The only difference between this one and the regular Baconator is that this is made with two smaller patties.

I probably don't need to eat half of a pound of beef plus however much pork the bacon is, so it's nice to have this option, but I can't see myself ever choosing it. Even using a big knife, I struggled to cut through it. 

The small version should've been enough, but it wasn't

Review: Because of the size difference, this burger wasn't quite as good as its papa. This option is probably enough food for most people, but I wanted more.

Division-4 winner: The Baconator was just better  

Wendy's kept it simple with this one and gave the people what they wanted — more meat.

The cheese perfectly held the meats together, and the flavors of the combined ketchup and mayo brought out the very best in this burger. 

Division 5: There are 4 Jr. burgers, but I didn't expect any of them to go far

Wendy's line of Jr. burgers is exactly what you'd expect: smaller portions with the heart of a full-sized one.

The toppings vary based on your order, but the base ingredients include pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard.

The Jr. cheeseburger deluxe didn't have too much going on, which I liked

First Impression: This is a cheeseburger, all right. I felt like I knew what it would taste like before I bit in.

I was curious if this stripped-down burger could stand on its own without bacon and extra patties.

There was a little too much sauce on it, but this was a good burger

Review: This burger had more pickles, mayo, and ketchup than some of the other ones I tried. The lettuce was a little bit larger than the meat, which made me feel better about eating it. 

However, I thought the patty was a bit too small, and the sauces felt a little too overpowering. Still, it was refreshing to have a burger that felt normal. 

The Jr. bacon cheeseburger looked solid 

First Impression: This looked like a solid cheeseburger, similar to the Jr. cheeseburger deluxe, but with bacon. 

The size of this burger was the only thing holding it back

Review: This burger was pretty good. The bacon added something nice, even if the serving of mayonnaise was a little heavy-handed, but that might have been the human element at fast-food chains. 

I thought Wendy's used great cheese, even if it was more processed-tasting than the produce. Really, the size was the only thing holding this one back. 

The Jr. cheeseburger seemed cute

First Impression: Enveloped in a warm bun, this option looked cute. With no lettuce and tomato, this order was stripped down to its most basic flavors. 

The pickles and onions were a great combo

Review: This burger was very nice. I liked the pickle-onion combination, and the ketchup stood out, too. It was a step above the kind of frozen patty you'd make at home on a hot plate, but certainly not as good as the one you'd get at a cookout. 

The flavors went well together, but unless you walk into Wendy's thinking, "Wow, I just want a hamburger," I'd say get something else. 

The Jr. hamburger looked very plain

First Impression: This kind of looked sad compared to the behemoths that it stood next to on the menu. 

Honestly, if the Jr. hamburger is the worst thing on this list, I think it will reflect how fantastic all of the other burgers are rather than how bad this one is.

But it's a hamburger. You don't go to Wendy's for just a hamburger. 

This was so small that I felt like I was eating Charlie Brown's Christmas tree

Review: The pickles were crunchy, the onion had zip, and the ketchup was good, but the meat was pretty underseasoned.  

It was so small, with just a single sliver of onion and a couple of tiny pickles. I felt like I was eating the tiny "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.

Division-5 winner: The Jr. bacon cheeseburger was the best of this large pool

Honestly, an argument could be made for the deluxe, but I think the bacon helped push this option over the edge — it also slightly seasoned the meat. 

That said, I didn't see this winner advancing very far in the ultimate playoff.

Division 6: The bacon jalapeño burgers had 3 formidable-looking contenders

Wendy's added a kick of spice to its menu with its bacon jalapeño burgers. Each order is topped with pickled jalapeños, bacon, cheese, fried onions, cheese sauce, and jalapeño sauce. 

I loved seeing crispy onions on the bacon jalapeño cheeseburger

First Impression: I was excited about the addition of crispy onions, which are always good on a burger. Jalapeño would never be my first move, but I was interested to see what Wendy's did with that choice as well. 

Again, this one had no other vegetables, but that hadn't been a dealbreaker so far. 

The hot jalapeños made this burger 

Review: This burger was excellent. The cheese sauce was good but not on Taco Bell's level, which knocked it down a peg.  

The jalapeños were delicious and gave the burger a real kick, and the crispy onions elevated the whole thing. I liked that Wendy's took a shot with the cheese sauce, even if it didn't quite hit. 

Overall, the onions and jalapeños made this better, but the cheese sauce brought it down.

The bacon jalapeño double cheeseburger looked especially promising

First Impression: The double burger was the best size, and this seemed to be where the bacon jalapeño double cheeseburger separated itself from the rest. 

This burger was one of my favorites 

Review: This was one of my favorite burgers. The jalapeño had a lot of bite, and the cheese balanced everything out. It was like ballpark nachos between a bun. 

My only complaint was that it didn't have produce. I'd love a crisp, fresh onion or tomato on here. 

The bacon jalapeño triple cheeseburger looked like the best triple

First Impression: This was the only triple that I actually believed might have been as good as the originals, but only because I thought the jalapeño had a strong enough flavor to carry across three patties. 

Still, I just didn't know why I needed this much meat. 

I could not have opened my mouth any wider

Review: My first impression was spot on. The jalapeños added enough variety to avoid making this one taste like a meat sandwich. Still, the double was more manageable and, therefore, better to eat.

Division-6 winner: The bacon jalapeño double cheeseburger was the best in this bracket

I may have been skeptical about the cheese sauce and lack of vegetables, and although those points still stand, this burger was still good on its own.

Division 7: I expected stiff competition between the burgers with pretzel buns

Each burger in this category had a thick pretzel bun. This line of Wendy's burgers is dressed to the nines in toppings and upgrades, though the contents of each sandwich vary. 

The pretzel Baconator looked like a meat-heavy yet delicious option

First Impression: This two-patty burger certainly looked filling. The pretzel bun excited me, but I was slightly disappointed that it didn't have salt on top. However, I was sure the burger would be salty enough.

I also appreciated that the burger came with ketchup, mayo, and two slices of cheese.

I wished there was less meat in this burger

Review: This sandwich had everything — to the point where I thought it was a little too much. I couldn't handle all that meat, and although there was ample cheese, it was overpowered. At first, I thought the burger needed more ketchup, but it definitely had enough.

Each ingredient was fine by itself. Even the pretzel bun tasted good, though it lacked crispness and was slippery from the glossy sheen on top.

The bacon seemed high quality — I liked it better than what I've had at other fast-food chains — but sadly contributed to the meat takeover. Those patties just overpowered everything.

This could've been a balanced burger with a pickle or some vegetables. As it was, I felt there was too much meat.

The Pretzel Bacon Pub cheeseburger looked like a delicious mess

First Impression: This certainly looked like the best burger on the list. Forget the beer-cheese sauce, the fact that Wendy's included honey mustard on this is incredible. 

Fried onions are classic, but the thing that caught my eye was the Muenster cheese. That was a bold move for a fast-food restaurant, and I wouldn't have trusted any other place to get it right.

The onion bits smelled incredible, and I was excited to dig in. 

I shouldn't have let this one get cold

Review: This was a delicious burger, but don't let it get cold.

Temperature doesn't usually make a huge difference, but there were too many moving parts here to let it sit — I'm talking about even the time it takes to get back home.  

The Muenster cheese, onion, pretzel, and beer-cheese sauce, which I couldn't really taste, were very heavy. The light pickle flavor and fluffy pretzel bun held this meal together. 

I had to hand it to Wendy's. I've had worse pub burgers, but this was a solid offering.

The Pretzel Bacon Pub double was more balanced

First Impression: I was optimistic that having two patties could help balance out the flavors in this burger.

However, I was slightly worried the honey mustard would get lost in the meat. 

It was the only double I liked less than the single version

Review: I liked this option less than the first one. Throughout most of this taste test, two patties had been the perfect amount of meat for a burger, but the toppings felt like they got lost in this case. 

The pickle was the only thing that saved this meal. Everything else got utterly overpowered.

The Pretzel Bacon Pub triple probably shouldn't exist

First Impression: I didn't think I'd be able to get my mouth around this burger. 

I also couldn't imagine it would be better than the double, which had already lost so many of the delicious flavors and textures of the original — but I had to eat it.  

This burger was way too meat-heavy

Review: As expected, this burger was a wall of meat. Frankly, I was disappointed it didn't have cheese between every layer of meat, which likely would've made this meal better. Muenster must be pretty expensive. 

The burger wasn't bad by any means, but it felt like an odd mix of ingredients.

The original Pretzel Bacon Pub Cheeseburger eked out a victory

Overall, this division was kind of disappointing compared to the other burgers I had tried so far, but I liked the single version the most. It was balanced enough for me to enjoy each ingredient separately.

Finally, I sat down to calculate my results

I sat back to catch my breath, trying not to think about all that I'd consumed over four trips to Wendy's. 

I feel sodium in my blood and cheese sauce coursing through my veins. Still, I was able to determine Wendy's best burger. 

Let's start at the bottom of this ranking. The Jr. burgers have to occupy the lowest spot. Every self-respecting burger joint needs to have a section like this, so you can't fault Wendy's.

The pretzel-bun burgers came next, which was an upset considering I had high hopes for them. As a group, these burgers were just too much. The flavor profile was just too busy, and I couldn't get my mouth around them in every sense of the phrase. Even the single Pub burger couldn't quite cut it. 

Dave's line of burgers was also solid, but it suffered from some of the same issues as the Jrs. I don't go to Wendy's to have a regular burger, no matter how high it ranks on the list of offerings from the fast-food chain. 

Despite some strong competition, the Baconator won the gold

The bacon jalapeño double cheeseburger, Big Bacon cheddar cheeseburger, and Baconator all had excellent qualities. 

The pepper on the bacon jalapeño double cheeseburger offered a unique kick, but as a whole, this option suffered from an underwhelming cheese sauce and couldn't compete with the winner. 

I didn't want to rank the Big Bacon cheddar cheeseburger above the Baconator after one taste test — that would feel sacrilegious. It was absolutely the second-best burger, but if somebody wants to buy me another one, I'll tell you if I change my mind.

Ultimately, the Baconator was just too excellent. This order was everything that you could ask for in a burger. 

This story was originally published in December 2020 and most recently updated on July 9, 2024.