3 contenders for the next Starbucks
Can these companies match the coffee chain's explosive growth?
Everyone laments the stock that got away. Like Starbucks (SBUX). If you had invested $1,000 in Starbucks' initial public offering in June 1992, your stake would be worth around $6.4 million today -- and that doesn't include dividends.
The idea took off and became a national and then an international phenomenon. Then, the company found that Starbucks coffee stands worked at the train station or the airport.
Starbucks shares dropped 80% during the financial crash. It was horrible to experience, but the slump offered a once-in-a-lifetime shot at riding the Starbucks wave. Former CEO Howard Schultz took the reins back, closed stores and cut costs and staff. In 2009, the recovery began. Big time. And the stock took off again.
Starbucks is a unique franchise, but there are other companies that have developed profitable niches that also have the potential to make investors happy in the next few years.
Columnist Charley Blaine discusses Panera Bread (PNRA), Caribou Coffee (CBOU) and Dunkin' Brands (DNKN) here.
While I feel they have a better tasting coffee, I am not sure I would support a company with these business practices.
Dunkin Donuts on the other hand is a great brand but have been a bit and down the last few years... not sure about that either.
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Major tobacco companies must take out advertisements saying they deliberately deceived the U.S. public about the danger and addictiveness of cigarettes, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday. The ruling in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia aims to finalize the wording of the advertisements that the judge first ordered in 2006 after finding the companies violated federal racketeering law. Tobacco companies fought a public admission of deception, calling it a violation of their free speech rights."
I am HORRIFIED at the idea that some Free Speech Rights were violated. Stuff enough tobacco down the throats of these bastards and light it. Make them inhale until they pass out then lock them in a room with perpetual second hand smoke filtering in. People died terrible deaths from cigarettes. Make sure every marketing person who made a living pumping death to the public goes down for this.
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