Forces shaping business development in Kansas City

Kansas City sees sports-powered growth, business expansions, new ventures by athletes, evolving government policies, debates around transit, active legal cases, and shifting investment patterns.

Local companies attract employees with competitive pay and advancement opportunities, as top-ranked employers in both Kansas and Missouri draw job seekers. New restaurants launch with robotic service and tech-based ordering, then expand into nearby markets. Professional athletes invest in new ventures, like soccer players opening coffee shops that blend sports culture with unique food and drinks.

High-profile events spur discussion about local infrastructure and transit systems, and raise concerns about whether short-term efforts will address deeper city issues. Meanwhile, lawsuits and political campaigns create changes in the legal and regulatory climate, influencing business decisions and government support.

These curated articles highlight how several forces shape business development in Kansas City.

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NO. 1: KANSAS CITY IS CRUMBLING. A WORLD CUP BAND-AID ISN’T A SOLUTION | OPINION

You cannot plaster over the blatant issues of a city and expect the world to be fooled by the faux exterior. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anna Woiwood

Pitchside Coffee is a new coffee shop in Kansas City’s Crossroads neighborhood. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 2: KC CURRENT PLAYERS JUST OPENED NEW COFFEE SHOP IN THE CROSSROADS. SEE INSIDE

Kansas City’s professional women’s soccer team is known for cranking out wins on the soccer field — they’re ranked first in the National Women’s Soccer League and have won their past 11 matches. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

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Unified Government 6th District Commissioner Philip Lopez

NO. 3: JUDGE COULD DROP CASE ACCUSING WYANDOTTE COUNTY OFFICIAL OF BRIBERY, ENDANGERMENT

A Wyandotte County judge will soon consider whether to toss out a lawsuit accusing 6th District Commissioner Philip Lopez of attempted bribery, child endangerment, property damage and more. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sofia Zeman

Employees work at an office in this stock image. Five Kansas City area businesses were named as the best employers in 2025. By Israel Andrade

NO. 4: THESE ARE THE BEST KANSAS AND MISSOURI COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN 2025, FORBES SAYS

Looking for a new job? | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

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A soccer ball featuring the FIFA World Cup Kansas City logo is displayed at the One Year To Go press conference for the FIFA World Cup at Union Station on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 5: FIFA SELLING A 2026 WORLD CUP TICKET FOR $60? YES, BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO GET IN LINE

Dynamic pricing for tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will range from $60 to more than $6,700. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

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Screenshot of Johnson County businessman Philip Sarnecki’s campaign video announcing his bid to become governor of Kansas. By Courtesy of Philip Sarnecki

NO. 6: PROMINENT JOHNSON COUNTY GOP BUSINESSMAN ENTERS CROWDED KANSAS GOVERNOR’S RACE

The deep field of Johnson County candidates vying to become governor of Kansas in 2026 just got deeper. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes begins the NFL season as a new brand ambassador for the Swiss watch maker Hublot.

NO. 7: PATRICK MAHOMES PARTNERS WITH SWISS WATCH BRAND. HE HAS ONE READY FOR SUPER BOWL

If you’ve never noticed the gorgeous watches Patrick Mahomes wears with his game-day fits, you will now. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lisa Gutierrez

All in One Eater is now open in Kansas City. Another is coming to Overland Park.

NO. 8: NEW KC ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT, PAN-ASIAN RESTAURANT IS OPEN. NEXT: JOHNSON COUNTY

Pad thai, sushi, dim sum and cheesecake don’t typically appear on the same menu. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.