Cosi, the “fast casual” chain known for its flatbread, reported its third-quarter earnings today, and the results weren’t pretty: sales for the quarter fell 0.3% compared to a year ago, and sales for the last four weeks fell 4.5% relative to last year. Of course, Cosi—many of whose locations are in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C., CNBC reports—might have a built-in excuse for the disappointing numbers. The Pope was in town!
Well, at least that’s what their press release purported: ‘Business interruptions resulting from the Pope’s visit on September 22–26, 2015 negatively impacted 30% of our Company-owned restaurants.’

Philadelphia residents, business owners welcome Pope Francis.

Pope Francis’ visit to the United States has charged the tourism industry in New York and Philadelphia, where events are expected to draw over a million visitors. In one New York Italian neighborhood, it’s the face of the Pope himself that’s generating profits and satisfied customers. Ramon Taylor reports.