Showing posts with label francorp inc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label francorp inc. Show all posts

Monday, September 21, 2009

Francorp at The Seattle Coffee Fest

Francorp to Present at the Seattle Coffee Fest on Expansion Options

Francorp, the world leader in franchise development and new franchise system launches will be at the Seattle Coffee Fest this coming weekend. The Show is the largest of its kind catering to business owners in the coffee industry.

Francorp has been asked to present and run workshops in order to help educate and provide a resource to the show's attendees on franchising a business.

Francorp works closely with most major tradeshows and business sectors around the globe. Don Boroian founded Francorp in 1976 as the only full service, in-house franchise development firm, to this day Francorp is unique in that they continue to be the only franchise consulting firm that has a full time staff and "all under one roof" approach.

Mr. Tom DuFore, Executive Vice President for Francorp Consulting, will be in attendance for the show this weekend. Below are details:

Washington State Convention & Trade Center
800 Convention Place
Seattle, WA 98101-2350

Phone: 206-694-5000
Fax: 206-694-5399
Email: info@wsctc.com
Website: www.wsctc.com

Exhibition Hours:
Friday & Saturday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm, Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Educational Training: Exhibition Hours:
Friday & Saturday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm, Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Educational Training:
Friday & Saturday: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 8:00pm - 4:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 8:00pm - 4:00pm

For more information on franchising or how to franchise, visit the Francorp corporate site, www.francorp.com

Friday, September 18, 2009

Francorp Happenings

Francorp Upcoming Events
Francorp is the world leader in franchise development and franchise launches. As part of that, the ongoing responsibility for the firm is to provide information and up to date facts on the current franchise market and most recent happenings in the field of franchising.

Francorp has a podcast site for Francorp clients that can be accessed any time with continuously updated information and discussions on the franchise industry.

www.francorppodcast.com

With the most recent technology improvements in place this site will allow constant access to many informative video and audio recordings on franchising from Francorp's Chairman, Don Boroian and other Francorp professionals.

There you can also access Don Boroian's extensive discussion on franchising in today's economy and what strategies have worked best in the franchise field.

If you are planning on attending the International Franchise Expo in Los Angeles October 2-4, please come visit us at the Francorp Booth

Show Dates & Hours
Friday, October 2, 2009 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 3, 2009 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 4 , 2009 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location:
Los Angeles Convention Center
South Hall H & J
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
PH: 213-741-1151
Fax: 213-765-4266

Booth # 821

Francorp will have a number of staff members there at the booth to discuss franchising and hold consultations. Several members of the Francorp team who are based throughout California will also be at the show.

Francorp also has an office based in Mexico City that has been established for nearly 20 years run and operated by Mr. Ramon Vinay. Mr. Vinay brings almost 35 years of franchise experience around the globe to Francorp and will be available for business owners to discuss franchise strategies and implementation in Spanish.

If you would like to arrange for a meeting with any members of the Francorp team please call 708-481-2900. Please call us for a free registration to the show before October 1, 2009.

Francorp will be conducting Franchise Marketing Training with former Francorp Client, Todd Sullivan at the Francorp world headquarters.
Francorp Marketing Training is focused on lead generation, developing a franchise brand and efficient marketing strategies for a franchise company.
October 20th & 21st
Francorp, Inc
20200 Governors Drive
Olympia Fields, IL 60461

Francorp - Franchise India Client Meetings
October 12-14th, 2009
Francorp will be inviting select franchisors to the Francorp corporate headquarters for meetings and discussions with Francorp India to break down strategies and implementation for entering the Indian Market. Francorp India will have several Francorp team members in attendance including the Francorp India CEO Gaurav Marya.
Francorp, Inc
20200 Governors Drive
Olympia Fields, IL 60461


Franchise Management Training Module
This training module is run by Mr. John Dukach, Vice President of Strategic Planning with Francorp. He discusses current management strategies for new franchise companies, system management, franchise relationship building and other processes to effectively run and manage a franchise company. Mr. Dukach brings over 30 years of franchise management to Francorp.

October 21st & 22nd, 2009
Francorp, Inc.
20200 Governors Drive
Olympia Fields, IL 60461


Franchise Expo South
January 15 - 17, 2010
Francorp will be Exhibiting at the Exposition
Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C
1901 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Show Dates & Hours
Friday, January 15, 2010 11:00 am to 6:00pm
Saturday, January 16, 2010 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, January 17, 2010 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

For constant updates on Francorp, Francorp clients and global updates on the franchise industry, follow Francorp on Twitter, www.twitter.com/Francorp

Small Business Optimism

Small Business Optimism Grows, but Entrepreneurs Say Worst of Economic Woes Not over Yet, According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor
Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:05pm EDT

Hiring plans hit all-time survey low, dropping below fall 2002 level
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
More than half (55%) of entrepreneurs have an optimistic outlook on near-term
business prospects, up from 45% in March 2009, according to the American Express
OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey of business owners. One
quarter (26%) report expanding opportunities for their business, up from 15%
from a year ago, but six in ten (63%) do not think the worst of the U.S.
economic woes are over, and nearly one in six (17%) say they risk going out of
business in the next six months because of the economy.

"There appears to be a dichotomy where many small businesses are seeing signs of
improvement while other firms are still struggling to make payroll," said Susan
Sobbott, president American Express OPEN. "For the first time since 2007, the
majority of small businesses are optimistic about the near-term future, in part
because of less competition, however some of the less healthy firms are dipping
into cash reserves and personal assets to stem the tide of declining sales."

Among those businesses reporting growth opportunities for their firms, 44% say
these opportunities come as a result of less competition. The ability to
renegotiate equipment leases and supply contracts (13%) and lower real estate
costs (12%) also contributed to these firms` growth mindset. Overall, when asked
for the primary way they address cash flow issues, 32% of business owners said
they use personal or private funds, up 9 percentage points from March. More than
a third (35%) say the recession has caused them to tap personal assets, on-par
with the March reading (37%).

Although small business optimism is on the upswing after hitting its all-time
low a year ago, the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor shows that
business are not shifting to hiring mode. This fall, just under one quarter have
plans to hire (23% vs. 28% this spring), which is the lowest reading in the
history of the Monitor (falling below the fall 2002 recession level of 26%), and
plans for capital investments equal the record setting low from Spring 2009
(42%).

With hiring and capital investment plans on hold for most, business owners are
taking a conservative, back-to-basics approach to managing their firms:

* Concentrating on current customers. Forty-one percent of small business owners
say their top priority over the next six months is maintaining current sources
of revenue. By comparison, only one quarter (26%) say they are focused on
growing their business, which is the lowest number for growth in Monitor
history.
* Avoiding risk. Half (49%) say they are not willing to take on financial risk
to grow their business, an all-time high for the Monitor.
* Keeping employees happy. In general, deteriorating employee morale has
plateaued. Only twelve percent say employee morale has worsened over the last
six months (down from 25% for the preceding six-month period.) Three-quarters
say morale has stayed the same, and nine percent say it has improved. In
addition, approximately one in three (28%) business owners see offering
financial incentives such as bonuses and paid time off as a way to increase
employee morale, and twenty-three percent see more regular communication about
the business as the key to improving morale.

In addition, business owners continue to do everything they can to protect their
employees. For example, thirty-five percent of small business owners have tapped
personal assets as a result of the recession, twenty-seven percent have stopped
taking a salary and seventeen percent are working a second job, comparable to
six months ago. At the same time, fewer business owners are laying people off
(15%, down from 23% in the spring) or cutting benefits (8%, versus 16% this
spring).

Even as hiring plans are not in the cards for most business owners, the nearly
one quarter planning to hire are upbeat. These business owners are more willing
to think the economy creates new opportunities for their business (36% vs. 31%
overall) and seek out alternative tactics to manage their business. In addition,
more than three quarters (78%, compared to 65% overall) of those hiring will use
online marketing techniques to boost business and nearly half (46%, vs. 39%
overall) will negotiate flexible payment methods with their suppliers/vendors.
On average, entrepreneurs with hiring plans work about one-half hour longer per
day than business owners overall (more than 11 hours 45 minutes vs. 11 hours 15
minutes).

Regardless of hiring plans, one in ten business owners (11%) say they have
recently hired someone who was laid off from another company because of the
recession.

Economy takes toll on entrepreneurs

As business owners work to navigate their firms through the current economic
climate, they are plagued by cash flow concerns and the overall stress a
challenging economy creates. Nearly seven in ten entrepreneurs (68%) are
"stressed out" by the economy and three in ten (31%) say that the current
economy has caused them to question their decision to become an entrepreneur.

The number of entrepreneurs experiencing cash flow issues this fall (60%) is up
slightly over both the previous fall (55%) and this spring (57%). The biggest
cash flow worry for business owners is the ability to pay bills on time (26%).
When cash flow concerns arise, business owners are most likely to dip into their
own pockets: 32% of business owners will use personal or private funds, and one
in four (25%) will put off purchases. Others will use credit or charge cards
(13%), obtain and use a line of credit (12%), lease rather than purchase
business equipment (4%), or get a short-term loan in order to improve cash flow
(3%).

Looking beyond the basic issue of cash flow, nearly half of entrepreneurs (45%)
are looking to access capital from external sources in order to run their
businesses. One out of five business owners (19%) say they are experiencing
difficulty accessing capital. To secure the funds they need, business owners are
tapping a variety of sources, including using a bank loan (14%), using business
or personal credit cards (each 13%), tapping personal savings (10%), borrowing
from a friend or family member (3%), and private equity/venture capital or home
equity (each 2%).

Outlook varies by industry, age, gender, and region

Examining business owners by generation, industry sector, region and gender
provides further perspective on the economy. The American Express Small Business
OPEN Monitor studies three key industry sectors: retail, manufacturing and
services as well as the three generational age groups: Generation Y (18-28),
Generation X (29-44) and Baby Boomers (45-63), entrepreneurs by gender and by
geographic region.

As the holiday shopping season approaches, businesses in the retail sector are
the least optimistic group of business owners across these industries. This
fall, more than half of services businesses (58%, up from 53% last fall)
maintain a positive outlook, versus just half of manufacturers (51%, on par with
52% in fall 2008) and just under half of retailers (47% on par with 48% last
fall). The effect of the economy can be seen to have varying effects across
industries:

* Retailers are more likely to have hiring plans, due to the upcoming holiday
season, (27%, on par with 28% last fall) when compared to other industry sectors
(22% of manufacturers down from 30% last fall and 17% of services businesses
down substantially from 44% last fall)
* Services businesses are more concerned with cash flow issues (63% vs. 52% last
fall) versus other industries (60% of retailers up from 56% last fall, and 61%
of manufacturers up significantly from 47% last fall)
* The services sector is more likely than other industry sectors to have capital
investment plans (39% down from 45% last fall) compared to 36% of manufacturers
down from 59% last fall and 34% of retailers down from 37% last fall
* The manufacturing sector is more likely to say that the worst of US economic
woes are not over compared to other industry sectors (68%, vs. 64% of retailers
and 56% of services
* Manufacturers and retailers are the most likely to be willing to take a
financial risk (each 55%) when compared to services businesses (40%)

Gen Y geared for growth, Gen X most "stressed out" and Boomers are cash strapped

Generally speaking, the experience of older and more seasoned entrepreneurs puts
them in a better position than younger entrepreneurs to manage through
downturns. According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor,
however, the tables have turned, and it`s younger business owners who are geared
for growth.

The survey found that Gen Y is the most optimistic group of entrepreneurs when
compared to other age groups and to the overall sample of business owners. More
than three-quarters (80%) of these entrepreneurs have a significantly more
positive outlook on business prospects versus Gen X and business owners overall
(each 55%), and Baby Boomers (52%).

The optimism of Gen Y entrepreneurs extends across a number of areas:

* They`re most likely to hire (36%, vs. 25% of Gen X and 20% of Boomers )
* They`re most likely to have capital investment plans (58%, vs. 41% of Gen X
and 39% of Boomers)
* They`re most willing to take a financial risk (67%, vs. 52% of Gen X and 47%
of Boomers)
* They`re least likely to have cash flow issues (53% versus 59% for Gen X and
64% of Baby Boomers)
* They`re least stressed out by the economy (57% versus 72% of Gen X`ers and 71%
of Boomers)
* They`re most likely to implement employee-friendly policies to battle the
recession. Gen Y will allow employees to maintain a flexible schedule (44%),
Baby Boomers will institute a hiring freeze (41%) and Gen X entrepreneurs will
institute a salary freeze (39%)

Women more upbeat than their male counterparts

No less revealing than examining the mindset of entrepreneurs by age, gender
also plays a role in shaping the outlook of a business owner.

* Women are more likely to have a positive outlook on business prospects
considering the economic climate (60%, vs. 50% of men)
* Women are more likely to have cash flow concerns (62%, vs. 57% of men)
* Women are also more likely to have difficulty accessing the capital they need
to run their business (26%, vs. 16% of men)
* Men are more willing to take financial risks (47%, vs. 40% of women)
* One third of men say the current economy creates new opportunities for
business (34%, vs. 29% of women)

Businesses in the Northeast struggling to stay afloat; West is most optimistic
Along withage, gender and industry sectors, geography plays a significant role
in business owners` outlook on business prospects and the economy:

* The west is most optimistic (60%, vs. 54% in north central states, 53% in the
northeast and 52% in the south); businesses in the northeast are most at risk of
going out of business (24%, vs. 19% in north central states, 17% in the west and
13% in the south)
* The south is most willing to hire (31%, vs. 22% in the west, 17% in the
northeast and 15% in north central states)
* The south is also most likely to take on a financial risk (55%, vs. 50% in
north central states, 44% in the west and 38% in the northeast)
* The north central states are most likely to make capital investments (48%, vs.
43% in the west, 41% in the south and 36% in the northeast)
* The northeast is most likely to have cash flow issues (69%, vs. 60% in the
south, 58% in the west and 55% in north central states)
* The northeast is also most likely to question their decision to become an
entrepreneur (39%, vs. 31% in the south, 30% in the west and 25% in north
central states)

Additional survey results are available by contacting American Express OPEN.
Fact sheets on regional data, women entrepreneurs, by generation and key
business sectors are available on request.

Survey Methodology

American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, released each spring and fall, is
based on a nationally representative sample of 763 small business
owners/managers of companies with fewer than 100 employees. The anonymous survey
was conducted via telephone by Echo Research from August 11- August 25, 2009.
The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.6%.

About American Express OPEN®

American Express OPEN is dedicated exclusively to the success of small business
owners and their companies. OPEN supports business owners with exceptional
service and tailored products and services that deliver purchasing power,
flexibility, control and rewards to help customers run their business.
Specifically, business customers can leverage an enhanced set of products,
tools, services and savings, including charge and credit cards, convenient
access to working capital, robust online account management capabilities and
savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners. To obtain more
information about OPEN, visit OPEN.com, or call 1-800-NOW-OPEN to apply for a
card. Terms and conditions apply.

American Express Company www.americanexpress.com is a leading global payments,
network and travel company founded in 1850.





M Booth & Associates
Matt Hantz/Alex Della Rocca
212-481-7000
Matth@mbooth.com
Alexd@mbooth.com
or
American Express OPEN
Rosa Alfonso
212-640-1712
Rosa.M.Alfonso@aexp.com

Monday, August 11, 2008

McDonald's

MCD has Strong JulyFriday August 8, 2:24 pm ET By Jim Giaquinto
Consumers may be pulling back on their eating-out habits during this tough economy, but many have made an exception for McDonald's (NYSE: MCD - News). The fast-food staple announced that same-store sales in July advanced by 8%, which has helped shares to gain approximately 6% on Friday.
System wide sales for worldwide restaurants advanced 15.9% in the month, or 9.5% in constant currencies. U.S. same-store sales increased 6.7% as MCD focused on breakfast, chicken, beverages and advertising for the Big Mac.
MCD is a Zacks #2 Rank company with earnings estimates for this year that are up 3.9% in two months. Its sales momentum in July suggests that analysts' earnings expectations could continue to advance.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Starbucks Report - 7/30/08

Starbucks Takes Significant Actions to Position the Company for 2009 and Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2008 Results
Costs Related to Company's Transformation Significantly Impact Quarterly Earnings Leadership and Non-Store Organization Restructuring Aimed at Further Enhancing Operating Efficiencies Australia Market Restructured to Strengthen the International Business for the Long TermSEATTLE, Jul 30, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended June 29, 2008, revised its expectations for fiscal 2008, and announced additional actions designed to deliver on its financial targets for fiscal year 2009 and beyond.
Consolidated net revenues increased 9 percent to $2.6 billion for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $2.4 billion for the third quarter of 2007. For the 13-week period ended June 29, 2008, Starbucks reported a net loss of $6.7 million compared to net income of $158.3 million for the same period a year ago. Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $(0.01), compared to EPS of $0.21 per share earned in the prior year period. The company estimates that costs associated with the ongoing implementation of its transformation agenda impacted third quarter 2008 EPS by approximately $0.17 per share, primarily for restructuring charges associated with the U.S. company-operated store closures announced on July 1, 2008 totaling $167.7 million pre-tax or $0.14 per share after tax.
"During the quarter, we continued to make solid progress in transforming the business for long-term, profitable growth. We are taking decisive actions to strengthen our global store portfolio and gain efficiencies in our overall cost structure," commented Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo. "At the same time, we continued to invest in elevating the customer experience through innovative new offerings and we are encouraged by the early results of these investments."
Schultz continued, "While we recognize the near-term impact to our business from this transitional year, we also believe this is the right approach toward strengthening our business model and creating a healthy, solid foundation for fiscal 2009 and beyond. The store closures and organizational restructuring we announced this month resulted from rigorous evaluations of the entire business. While this has led to difficult decisions that impact the lives of our partners, customers and the communities we serve, these were necessary actions to transform our business and allow us to focus on delivering significant improvement in our long-term financial performance."
Recent Company Actions
-- Starbucks announced on July 1, 2008, the decision to close approximately 600 company-operated stores in the U.S. as a result of the company's rigorous evaluation of the U.S. company-operated store portfolio.
-- As part of its multi-faceted plan to transform the company, on July 29, 2008, Starbucks announced the reduction of approximately 1,000 open and filled positions within its leadership structure and its non-store organization.
-- On July 29, 2008, Starbucks announced it will close 61 stores in Australia by August 3, 2008, while 23 stores will remain open in the market. After evaluating several alternatives to improve its business in Australia, Starbucks determined that this decision, which is in-line with the company's strategy to focus on profitable growth, operational efficiencies and an enhanced experience for customers and partners globally, was the appropriate course of action.
The combination of all these actions is estimated to result in a pre-tax benefit of approximately $200 million to $210 million in fiscal 2009, which equates to approximately $0.17 to $0.18 of EPS. The beneficial impact estimated here excludes the related carry over of the lease termination and severance costs from the store closure actions.
Third Quarter Financials
The 9 percent growth in consolidated net revenues in the third quarter 2008 was heavily influenced by the U.S. business, which contributed 76 percent of total net revenue. The company's lower than expected revenue growth was driven by continued slow traffic trends in the U.S., which resulted in a mid-single-digit decline in U.S. comparable store sales, and was a slight deterioration from the second quarter. For the quarter, U.S. total net revenues increased by $107.5 million, or 6 percent, to $1.9 billion mainly due to increased revenues from company-operated retail stores. International total net revenues expanded 24 percent, or $103.6 million, to $535.6 million for the 13 weeks ended June 29, 2008 as the company continued to expand its store presence in its 44 markets outside the U.S. International revenue growth was dampened somewhat by a slight decline in traffic in the U.K. along with slower sales momentum in Canada. For the Global Consumer Products Group (CPG), total net revenues increased by 4 percent, or $3.6 million, to $90.7 million for the third quarter fiscal 2008 due primarily to increased product sales and royalties in the International ready-to-drink business.
Of note, many of the company's operating expenses are fixed in nature. As a result, the softness in U.S. revenues during the third quarter fiscal 2008 impacted nearly all consolidated and U.S. segment operating expense line items when viewed as a percentage of sales.
Consolidated cost of sales including occupancy costs increased 260 basis points to 45.2 percent of total net revenues for the 13 weeks ended June 29, 2008, compared to 42.6 percent in the corresponding period in fiscal 2007. The increase was primarily due to higher distribution and occupancy costs.
Store operating expenses as a percentage of related company-operated retail revenues rose 330 basis points to 44.0 percent in the third quarter 2008, from 40.7 percent for the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll expenditures as a percentage of revenues in the U.S. business as well as costs related to the company's transformation strategy.
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total net revenues improved 60 basis points to 4.5 percent for the third quarter 2008, from 5.1 percent for the corresponding period of fiscal 2007. The favorability was primarily due to lower payroll-related expenses.
Restructuring charges of $167.7 million are comprised of asset impairments for the approximately 600 underperforming company-operated stores in the U.S. market, initially announced and estimated on July 1, 2008. The majority of the store closures are scheduled to occur during the remainder of fiscal 2008 and the first half of fiscal 2009, and the related lease exit costs and severance expenses are expected to be recognized during that time frame.
The consolidated operating loss was $21.6 million for the 13 weeks ended June 29, 2008, compared with operating income of $245.2 million in the comparable prior year period. Operating margin was negative 0.8 percent of related revenues for the third quarter fiscal 2008 compared to 10.4 percent for the same period a year ago. The decline was primarily due to restructuring charges of $167.7 million taken in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, which accounted for 650 basis points of the decrease as well as higher cost of sales including occupancy costs and store operating expenses.
Income tax for the third quarter was a benefit of $26.5 million, compared to an expense of $84.7 million for the same period a year ago. The third quarter of fiscal 2008 includes the impact of the release of tax reserves during the quarter as well as a modest downward revision to the full year expected tax rate. The impact of these items on the effective rate for the quarter was large as a percentage of the small amount of pretax loss of $33.2 million.
For third quarter fiscal 2008, the U.S. segment produced an operating loss of $27.8 million, compared with operating income of $253.2 million for the same period a year ago. Operating margin was negative 1.4 percent of related revenues for the third quarter fiscal 2008 compared to 13.8 percent in the corresponding period of fiscal 2007. This decrease was driven by restructuring charges of $167.7 million taken in the period, which had an 860 basis point impact, softer revenues due to weak traffic, and higher store operating expenses and higher cost of sales including occupancy costs, which were partly due to costs related to the implementation of the company's transformation strategy.
International operating income increased slightly to $35.5 million for the third quarter 2008, with the related operating margin contracting 90 basis points to 6.6 percent of related revenues, from 7.5 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The primary reason for this decline was higher cost of sales including occupancy costs, due in part to higher dairy costs.
Operating income for the CPG segment increased to $48.7 million for the 13 weeks ended June 29, 2008, a 16.2 percent increase over third quarter 2007. Operating margin increased 560 basis points to 53.7 percent of related revenues from 48.1 percent for the prior year period, primarily due to the mix of revenue being less weighted toward the initial sale of coffee and tea products to Starbucks distributor, and more toward revenue profit sharing earned on the distributor's sales to retailers.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2008, consolidated net revenues increased 13 percent to $7.9 billion, compared to $7.0 billion for the same period a year ago. Net earnings totaled $310.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008, versus $514.1 million for the same period of fiscal 2007, while EPS for the period was $0.42, compared to EPS of $0.66 for third quarter year-to-date in fiscal 2007. Year-to-date, restructuring and other transformation strategy-related costs impacted EPS by approximately $0.19 per share.
Full-Year 2008 Guidance
Declining economic conditions as reflected in reduced traffic and, to a lesser extent, increased cost pressures have continued to negatively impact the current operating environment. As a result, Starbucks now expects full-year fiscal 2008 non-GAAP EPS to be in the mid-seventy-cent range, which excludes the $0.19 year-to-date impact from restructuring and other transformation costs, as well as additional costs to be incurred in the fourth quarter related to executing on recently announced decisions. Full-year fiscal 2008 EPS, on a GAAP basis, will be impacted by the remaining restructuring charges that are expected to be spread across the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first half of fiscal 2009, the timing of which is dependent on lease termination negotiations with third parties. In line with this revised view, Starbucks anticipates total net revenue growth of approximately 11 percent in fiscal year 2008. These targets reflect the company's current assumption that fourth quarter company-operated comparable store sales trends will remain relatively stable with the third quarter.
The company lowered its U.S. store opening targets for fiscal 2008 to approximately 900 net new stores. This target is evenly distributed between company-operated and licensed stores and assumes that approximately 200 of the 600 company-operated store closures occur in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. In light of the current global economic climate, Starbucks and its joint venture and licensed partners are taking a more conservative approach to store openings. Internationally, the company is now targeting approximately 825 net new store openings for fiscal 2008, which includes the closure of 61 stores in Australia. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2008 are now expected to be approximately $1.0 billion, below the $1.1 billion the company previously anticipated.
Updates to 2009 Financial Targets
Starbucks is providing updated information about fiscal 2009 key financial and operational metrics, which are impacted by recent actions associated with its transformation strategy.
For fiscal year 2009, the company expects its non-GAAP EPS target, which excludes carry over of lease termination and severance costs from the fiscal 2008 U.S. and Australia store closures, to remain in the range of $0.90 to $1.00. Positive benefits factored into the range include: cost savings from the leadership and non-store organization changes, U.S. company-operated store closures, and restructuring of the Australia market. Fiscal 2009 EPS, on a GAAP basis, will be impacted by the lease termination and severance costs from the fiscal 2008 U.S. and Australia store closures that are expected to be spread across the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first half of fiscal 2009, the timing of which is dependent on lease termination negotiations with third parties.
The company has lowered its fiscal 2009 store opening target in the U.S. to approximately a negative 60 net new stores, which includes a nearly 225 company-operated store decline and approximately 165 licensed net new stores. Internationally, Starbucks is planning to open approximately 900 net new stores in fiscal 2009, two-thirds of which are expected to be licensed, as it factors in the current global economic climate, with a cautious approach in the UK and Western Europe. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2009 are now expected to be approximately $750 million, which reflects the reduced store targets for the U.S. and International segments.
The company will provide additional details on its fiscal 2009 targets during its fiscal year-end conference call in November.
Conference Call
Starbucks will be holding a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. PDT, which will be hosted by Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo, and Pete Bocian, executive vice president and chief financial officer. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed at the company's web site address of http://investor.starbucks.com. A replay of the call will be available via telephone through 9:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, August 1, 2008, by calling 1-800-642-1687, reservation number 22250961. A posting of speaker remarks and a replay of the call will also be available via the Investor Relations page on Starbucks.com through approximately 5:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, August 29, 2008, at the following URL: http://investor.starbucks.com.
The company's consolidated statements of earnings, operating segment results, and other additional information have been provided on the following pages in accordance with current year classifications. This information should be reviewed in conjunction with this press release. Please refer to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 for additional information.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to certain company initiatives and plans, as well as trends in or expectations regarding, the expected effects of its transformation strategy, restructuring and other initiatives, growth in net revenue, earnings per share, store openings and closings, operating margins, and capital expenditures, as well as expense control and the company's effective tax rate. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, coffee, dairy and other raw material prices and availability, successful execution of the company's transformation strategy, restructuring and other initiatives, fluctuations in U.S. and international economies and currencies, the impact of competition, the effect of legal proceedings, and other risks detailed in the company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of Starbucks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 and of Starbucks Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2008. The company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Non-GAAP Disclosure
In addition to the GAAP results provided in this release, the company provides projections for non-GAAP earnings per share (non-GAAP EPS). These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to non-GAAP EPS is diluted net earnings per share.
Projected non-GAAP EPS for full fiscal year 2008 excludes costs associated with store closures in the U.S. and Australia as well as the impact of the recently announced head count reduction and other restructuring charges and costs related to the implementation of the company's transformation strategy that are expected to be taken in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Projected non-GAAP EPS for fiscal year 2009 excludes costs associated with store closures in the U.S. and Australia as well as the impact of other restructuring charges and costs related to the implementation of the company's transformation strategy expected to be taken in the first half of fiscal 2009. The company's management believes that providing these non-GAAP financial measures better enables investors to understand and evaluate the company's prospective operating performance. More specifically, management excludes each of those items mentioned above because it believes that these costs do not reflect expected future operating expenses and do not contribute to a meaningful evaluation of the company's future operating performance or comparisons to the company's past operating performance.
These non-GAAP financial measures may have limitations as analytical tools, and these measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company's results as reported under GAAP. Other companies may calculate non-GAAP EPS differently than the company does, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. STARBUCKS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS/LOSS
(unaudited)
13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended
--------------------------- ---------------
Jun 29, Jul 1, % Jun 29, Jul 1,
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007
--------- --------- ------- -------- ------
(in millions, except per
share data)
As a % of total
net revenues
---------------
Net revenues:
Company-operated
retail $2,180.2 $2,010.8 8.4 % 84.7 % 85.2 %
Specialty:
Licensing 281.3 254.9 10.4 10.9 10.8
Foodservice and
other 112.5 93.6 20.2 4.4 4.0
------------------- ---------------
Total specialty 393.8 348.5 13.0 15.3 14.8
------------------- ---------------
Total net revenues 2,574.0 2,359.3 9.1 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales including
occupancy costs 1,163.1 1,004.0 15.8 45.2 42.6
Store operating
expenses(a) 958.3 819.2 17.0 37.2 34.7
Other operating
expenses(b) 79.6 74.7 6.6 3.1 3.2
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 139.8 119.4 17.1 5.4 5.1
General and
administrative expenses 116.1 121.3 (4.3) 4.5 5.1
Restructuring charges 167.7 - nm 6.5 -
------------------ ---------------
Subtotal operating
expenses 2,624.6 2,138.6 22.7 102.0 90.6
------------------ ---------------
Income from equity
investees 29.0 24.5 18.4 1.1 1.0
------------------- ---------------
Operating
income/(loss) (21.6) 245.2 nm (0.8) 10.4
Interest income and
other, net 0.9 8.6 0.0 0.4
Interest expense (12.5) (10.8) (0.5) (0.5)
------------------- ---------------
Earnings/(loss)
before income taxes (33.2) 243.0 nm (1.3) 10.3
Income taxes(c) (26.5) 84.7 (1.0) 3.6
------------------- ---------------
Net earnings/(loss) $ (6.7) $ 158.3 nm (0.3)% 6.7 %
=================== ===============
Net earnings per common
share - diluted $ (0.01) $ 0.21 nm %
===================
Weighted avg. shares
outstanding - diluted 731.7 763.6
(a) As a percentage of related company-operated retail revenues, store
operating expenses were 44.0 percent for the 13 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 40.7 percent for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(b) As a percentage of related total specialty revenues, other
operating expenses were 20.2 percent for the 13 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 21.4 percent for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(c) The effective tax rates were 79.8 percent for the 13 weeks ended
June 29, 2008, and 34.9 percent for the 13 weeks ended July 1,
2007.
STARBUCKS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(unaudited)
39 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended
--------------------------- ---------------
Jun 29, Jul 1, % Jun 29, Jul 1,
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007
--------- --------- ------- -------- ------
(in millions, except per
share data)
As a % of total
net revenues
----------------
Net revenues:
Company-operated
retail $6,674.6 $5,940.3 12.4 % 84.8 % 85.2 %
Specialty:
Licensing 860.5 743.6 15.7 10.9 10.7
Foodservice and
other 332.5 286.7 16.0 4.2 4.1
------------------- ---------------
Total specialty 1,193.0 1,030.3 15.8 15.2 14.8
------------------- ---------------
Total net revenues 7,867.6 6,970.6 12.9 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales including
occupancy costs 3,455.8 2,933.5 17.8 43.9 42.1
Store operating
expenses(a) 2,812.7 2,372.2 18.6 35.8 34.0
Other operating
expenses(b) 248.1 219.6 13.0 3.2 3.2
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 411.1 343.0 19.9 5.2 4.9
General and
administrative expenses 359.6 365.9 (1.7) 4.6 5.2
Restructuring charges 167.7 - nm 2.1 -
------------------ ---------------
Subtotal operating
expenses 7,455.0 6,234.2 19.6 94.8 89.4
Income from equity
investees 77.1 69.5 10.9 1.0 1.0
------------------- ---------------
Operating income 489.7 805.9 (39.2) 6.2 11.6
Interest income and
other, net 11.8 28.1 0.1 0.4
Interest expense (40.8) (24.5) (0.5) (0.4)
------------------- ---------------
Earnings before
income taxes 460.7 809.5 (43.1) 5.9 11.6
Income taxes(c) 150.6 295.4 1.9 4.2
------------------- ---------------
Net earnings $ 310.1 $ 514.1 (39.7) 3.9 % 7.4 %
=================== ===============
Net earnings per common
share - diluted $ 0.42 $ 0.66 (36.4)%
===================
Weighted avg. shares
outstanding - diluted 741.7 773.5
(a) As a percentage of related company-operated retail revenues, store
operating expenses were 42.1 percent for the 39 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 39.9 percent for the 39 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(b) As a percentage of related total specialty revenues, other
operating expenses were 20.8 percent for the 39 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 21.3 percent for the 39 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(c) The effective tax rates were 32.7 percent for the 39 weeks ended
June 29, 2008, and 36.5 percent for the 39 weeks ended July 1,
2007.
Segment Results
The tables below present reportable segment results net of intersegment eliminations (in millions): United States Jun 29, Jul 1, % Jun 29, Jul 1,
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007
--------- -------- ------- -------- ------
As a % of U.S.
total net
13 Weeks Ended revenues
------------------------- ----------------
Net revenues:
Company-operated
retail $1,730.4 $1,646.3 5.1 % 88.8 % 89.5%
Specialty:
Licensing 119.2 110.1 8.3 6.1 6.0
Foodservice and other 98.1 83.8 17.1 5.0 4.6
------------------ ---------------
Total specialty 217.3 193.9 12.1 11.2 10.5
------------------ ---------------
Total net revenues 1,947.7 1,840.2 5.8 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales including
occupancy costs 845.8 742.4 13.9 43.4 40.3
Store operating
expenses(a) 791.9 682.6 16.0 40.7 37.1
Other operating
expenses(b) 51.6 51.7 (0.2) 2.6 2.8
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 101.9 89.1 14.4 5.2 4.8
General and
administrative expenses 16.0 21.2 (24.5) 0.8 1.2
Restructuring charges 167.7 - nm 8.6 -
------------------ ---------------
Total operating
expenses 1,974.9 1,587.0 24.4 101.4 86.2
Income from equity
investees (0.6) - nm (0.0) -
------------------ ---------------
Operating
income/(loss) $ (27.8) $ 253.2 nm % (1.4)% 13.8%
================== ===============
39 Weeks Ended
-------------------------
Net revenues:
Company-operated
retail $5,346.2 $4,901.9 9.1 % 89.0 % 89.3%
Specialty:
Licensing 372.2 328.2 13.4 6.2 6.0
Foodservice and other 291.8 259.4 12.5 4.9 4.7
------------------ ---------------
Total specialty 664.0 587.6 13.0 11.0 10.7
------------------ ---------------
Total net revenues 6,010.2 5,489.5 9.5 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales including
occupancy costs 2,520.7 2,181.4 15.6 41.9 39.7
Store operating
expenses(c) 2,318.9 1,984.8 16.8 38.6 36.2
Other operating
expenses(d) 166.1 155.9 6.5 2.8 2.8
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 302.5 254.9 18.7 5.0 4.6
General and
administrative expenses 56.4 66.6 (15.3) 0.9 1.2
Restructuring charges 167.7 - nm 2.8 -
------------------ ---------------
Total operating
expenses 5,532.3 4,643.6 19.1 92.0 84.6
Income from equity
investees (0.9) - nm - -
------------------ ---------------
Operating income $ 477.0 $ 845.9 (43.6)% 7.9 % 15.4%
================== ===============
(a) As a percentage of related company-operated retail revenues, store
operating expenses were 45.8 percent for the 13 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 41.5 percent for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(b) As a percentage of related total specialty revenues, other
operating expenses were 23.7 percent for the 13 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 26.7 percent for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(c) As a percentage of related company-operated retail revenues, store
operating expenses were 43.4 percent for the 39 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 40.5 percent for the 39 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(d) As a percentage of related total specialty revenues, other
operating expenses were 25.0 percent for the 39 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 26.5 percent for the 39 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
International Jun 29, Jul 1, % Jun 29, Jul 1,
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007
-------- -------- ------ -------- ------
As a % of
International
total net
13 Weeks Ended revenues
--------------------------- ----------------
Net revenues:
Company-operated retail $ 449.8 $ 364.5 23.4% 84.0% 84.4%
Specialty:
Licensing 71.4 57.7 23.7 13.3 13.4
Foodservice and other 14.4 9.8 46.9 2.7 2.3
----------------- ---------------
Total specialty 85.8 67.5 27.1 16.0 15.6
----------------- ---------------
Total net revenues 535.6 432.0 24.0 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales including
occupancy costs 267.5 210.2 27.3 49.9 48.7
Store operating expenses(a) 166.4 136.6 21.8 31.1 31.6
Other operating expenses(b) 22.8 18.4 23.9 4.3 4.3
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 27.9 21.2 31.6 5.2 4.9
General and administrative
expenses 30.3 24.9 21.7 5.7 5.8
---------------- ---------------
Total operating
expenses 514.9 411.3 25.2 96.1 95.2
Income from equity
investees 14.8 11.8 25.4 2.8 2.7
----------------- ---------------
Operating income $ 35.5 $ 32.5 9.2% 6.6% 7.5%
================= ===============
39 Weeks Ended
---------------------------
Net revenues:
Company-operated retail $1,328.4 $1,038.4 27.9% 84.6% 84.8%
Specialty:
Licensing 200.7 158.7 26.5 12.8 13.0
Foodservice and other 40.7 27.3 49.1 2.6 2.2
----------------- ---------------
Total specialty 241.4 186.0 29.8 15.4 15.2
----------------- ---------------
Total net revenues 1,569.8 1,224.4 28.2 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales including
occupancy costs 775.3 599.5 29.3 49.4 49.0
Store operating expenses(c) 493.8 387.4 27.5 31.5 31.6
Other operating expenses(d) 66.1 49.3 34.1 4.2 4.0
Depreciation and
amortization expenses 80.1 62.4 28.4 5.1 5.1
General and administrative
expenses 89.2 71.9 24.1 5.7 5.9
---------------- ---------------
Total operating
expenses 1,504.5 1,170.5 28.5 95.8 95.6
Income from equity
investees 42.1 32.8 28.4 2.7 2.7
----------------- ---------------
Operating income $ 107.4 $ 86.7 23.9% 6.8% 7.1%
================= ===============
(a) As a percentage of related company-operated retail revenues, store
operating expenses were 37.0 percent for the 13 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 37.5 percent for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(b) As a percentage of related total specialty revenues, other
operating expenses were 26.6 percent for the 13 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 27.3 percent for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(c) As a percentage of related company-operated retail revenues, store
operating expenses were 37.2 percent for the 39 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 37.3 percent for the 39 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
(d) As a percentage of related total specialty revenues, other
operating expenses were 27.4 percent for the 39 weeks ended June
29, 2008, and 26.5 percent for the 39 weeks ended July 1, 2007.
Global Consumer Products Group (CPG)
------------------------ ---------------
Jun 29, Jul 1, % Jun 29, Jul 1,
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007
------------------------ ---------------
As a % of CPG
total net
13 Weeks Ended revenues
--------------------------- ---------------
Net revenues:
Specialty:
Licensing $ 90.7 $ 87.1 4.1 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
---------------- ---------------
Total specialty 90.7 87.1 4.1 100.0 100.0
---------------- ---------------
Cost of sales 49.8 51.4 (3.1) 54.9 59.0
Other operating expenses 5.2 4.6 13.0 5.7 5.3
Depreciation and
amortization expenses - 0.1 - - 0.1
General and administrative
expenses 1.8 1.8 - 2.0 2.1
---------------- ---------------
Total operating expenses 56.8 57.9 (1.9) 62.6 66.5
Income from equity
investees 14.8 12.7 16.5 16.3 14.6
---------------- ---------------
Operating income $ 48.7 $ 41.9 16.2 % 53.7 % 48.1 %
================ ===============
39 Weeks Ended
---------------------------
Net revenues:
Specialty:
Licensing $ 287.6 $ 256.7 12.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
---------------- ---------------
Total specialty 287.6 256.7 12.0 100.0 100.0
---------------- ---------------
Cost of sales 159.8 152.6 4.7 55.6 59.4
Other operating expenses 15.9 14.4 10.4 5.5 5.6
Depreciation and
amortization expenses - 0.1 - - -
General and administrative
expenses 5.8 5.1 13.7 2.0 2.0
---------------- ---------------
Total operating expenses 181.5 172.2 5.4 63.1 67.1
Income from equity
investees 35.9 36.7 (2.2) 12.5 14.3
---------------- ---------------
Operating income $ 142.0 $ 121.2 17.2 % 49.4 % 47.2 %
================ ===============
------------------------ ---------------
Unallocated Corporate Jun 29, Jul 1, % Jun 29, Jul 1,
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007
------------------------ ---------------
As a % of total
net revenues
---------------
13 Weeks Ended
---------------------------
Depreciation and
amortization expenses $ 10.0 $ 9.0 11.1 % 0.4 % 0.4 %
General and administrative
expenses 68.0 73.4 (7.4) 2.6 3.1
----------------- ---------------
Operating loss $ (78.0) $ (82.4) (5.3)% (3.0)% (3.5)%
================= ===============
39 Weeks Ended
---------------------------
Depreciation and
amortization expenses $ 28.5 $ 25.6 11.3 % 0.4 % 0.4 %
General and administrative
expenses 208.2 222.3 (6.3) 2.6 3.2
----------------- ---------------
Operating loss $(236.7) $(247.9) (4.5)% (3.0)% (3.6)%
================= ===============
STARBUCKS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
June 29, September 30,
2008 2007
-------- -------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 297.0 $ 281.3
Short-term investments - available-for-sale
securities - 83.8
Short-term investments - trading securities 52.7 73.6
Accounts receivable, net 284.1 287.9
Inventories 662.7 691.7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 145.4 148.8
Deferred income taxes, net 215.4 129.4
-------- -------------
Total current assets 1,657.3 1,696.5
Long-term investments - available-for-sale
securities 77.6 21.0
Equity and other investments 311.1 258.9
Property, plant and equipment, net 2,947.4 2,890.4
Other assets 258.3 219.4
Other intangible assets 65.8 42.1
Goodwill 234.8 215.6
-------- -------------
TOTAL ASSETS $5,552.3 $ 5,343.9
======== =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Commercial paper and short-term borrowings $ 615.9 $ 710.3
Accounts payable 329.4 390.8
Accrued compensation and related costs 325.3 332.3
Accrued occupancy costs 88.4 74.6
Accrued taxes 48.9 92.5
Other accrued expenses 279.8 257.4
Deferred revenue 373.5 296.9
Current portion of long-term debt 0.7 0.8
-------- -------------
Total current liabilities 2,061.9 2,155.6
Long-term debt 549.8 550.1
Other long-term liabilities 463.3 354.1
-------- -------------
Total liabilities 3,075.0 3,059.8
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock ($0.001 par value) - authorized,
1,200 million shares; issued and outstanding,
733.3 and 738.3 million shares, respectively,
(includes 3.4 common stock units in both
periods) 0.7 0.7
Other additional paid-in-capital 39.4 39.4
Retained earnings 2,357.6 2,189.4
Accumulated other comprehensive income 79.6 54.6
-------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity 2,477.3 2,284.1
-------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $5,552.3 $ 5,343.9
======== =============
STARBUCKS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in millions)
39 Weeks Ended
----------------------
June 29, July 1,
2008 2007
----------- ----------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings $ 310.1 $ 514.1
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 431.4 360.9
Provision for impairments and asset disposals 237.5 21.2
Deferred income taxes, net (89.6) (40.5)
Equity in income of investees (35.5) (38.6)
Distributions from equity investees 23.1 42.3
Stock-based compensation 59.7 78.5
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 3.6 5.9
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock
options (11.8) (52.0)
Net amortization of (discount)/premium on
securities (0.2) 0.6
Cash provided/(used) by changes in operating
assets and liabilities:
Inventories 32.6 (16.7)
Accounts payable (55.4) (30.9)
Accrued taxes (19.6) 38.0
Deferred revenue 76.9 76.9
Other operating assets and liabilities 115.9 80.1
----------- ----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,078.7 1,039.8
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of available-for-sale securities (64.8) (208.0)
Maturity of available-for-sale securities 15.3 162.2
Sale of available-for-sale securities 75.9 36.9
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (22.5) (53.4)
Net purchases of equity, other investments and
other assets (32.3) (48.4)
Net additions to property, plant and equipment (733.9) (772.1)
----------- ----------
Net cash used by investing activities (762.3) (882.8)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of commercial paper (55,057.4) (3,795.4)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper 54,961.8 4,675.4
Repayments of short-term borrowings (0.6) (1,370.0)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings 1.1 670.0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 88.9 136.6
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock
options 11.8 52.0
Principal payments on long-term debt (0.5) (0.6)
Repurchase of common stock (311.4) (671.0)
Other (1.2) -
----------- ----------
Net cash used by financing activities (307.5) (303.0)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
cash equivalents 6.8 6.2
----------- ----------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 15.7 (139.8)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of period 281.3 312.6
----------- ----------
End of the period $ 297.0 $ 172.8
=========== ==========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest $ 31.6 $ 25.4
Income taxes $ 248.4 $ 294.6
Fiscal Third Quarter 2008 Store Data
The company's store data for the periods presented are as follows: Net stores opened during the
period
-----------------------------
13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended Stores open as of
-------------- -------------- -----------------
Jun 29, Jul 1, Jun 29, Jul 1, Jun 29, Jul 1,
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007
-------------- -------------- -----------------
United States:
Company-operated
Stores 118 285 582 838 7,375 6,566
Licensed Stores 18 196 304 561 4,195 3,729
-------------- -------------- -----------------
136 481 886 1,399 11,570 10,295
-------------- -------------- -----------------
International:
Company-operated
Stores 65 60 220 178 1,932 1,613
Licensed Stores 121 127 431 379 3,046 2,488
-------------- -------------- -----------------
186 187 651 557 4,978 4,101
-------------- -------------- -----------------
Total 322 668 1,537 1,956 16,548 14,396
============== ============== =================
(C) 2008 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved.
SOURCE: Starbucks Coffee Company
Starbucks Contact, Investor Relations:JoAnn DeGrande, 206-318-7118investorrelations@starbucks.comorStarbucks Contact, Media:Deb Trevino, 206-318-7100press@starbucks.com

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Dunkin Donuts

By LAUREN SHEPHERD, AP Business Writer Wed Jul 30, 7:48 AM ET
NEW YORK - Looking to entice those hungry for a healthier option, Dunkin' Donuts will begin offering a new slate of better-for-you offerings in August.

The menu, which will debut in stores Aug. 6, will feature two new flatbread sandwiches made with egg whites. Customers will be able to choose either a turkey sausage egg-white sandwich or a vegetable one. Both will be under 300 calories with 9 grams of fat or less, the company said.
"We just felt it was important to provide some choice in our menu," said Will Kussell, president and chief brand officer.
The new menu will be called DDSmart and will include all current and new items that either have 25 percent few calories, sugar, fat or sodium than comparable products or contain ingredients that are "nutritionally beneficial," the company said.
Current products that will join the new sandwiches on the menu include a multigrain bagel and a reduced-fat blueberry muffin.
Kussell said Dunkin' will continue to add products to the menu and is currently developing several new offerings, but would not disclose any details.
Kussell said Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands Inc. will spend several million dollars marketing the new menu.
A number of restaurants have added better-for-you options to their menus in the past few years to take advantage of a trend toward healthier eating.
"We're staying very true to our brand and very true to our heritage," said the company's executive chef Stan Frankenphaler. "We're just growing and evolving."

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Panera Bread

Popping With Panera And The King
Jocelynn Drake, Option Advisor 06.28.08, 12:25 PM ET

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, who has the time to slow down enough to cook a meal? It's easier to pop by the drive-thru of the closest fast-food restaurant to grab a bite to eat before heading to that next appointment, dance class, or little league game. It's this prevalent lifestyle of Americans that has helped to make many of the players in the fast-food industry strong stock-market performers.One stock within the group that easily stands above the rest is Burger King Holdings (nyse: BKC - news - people ). The stock has been in a strong uptrend along its 10-week and 20-week moving average since August 2006, gaining nearly 94% along the way. The shares are currently resting on their 20-week trend line as they struggle with short-term resistance in the 29 region.Click here to download " Energy Bull Market: Six Must-Own Stocks.Not surprisingly, sentiment toward the stock is relatively optimistic, but it is beginning to show signs of pessimism creeping into the picture. The Schaeffer's put/call open-interest ratio, which compares put open interest to call open interest among options that expire in less than three months, has risen from 0.25 following June options expiration to its current perch of 0.4. This increase in the ratio comes as put open interest has increased at a faster pace than call open interest.Meanwhile, one stunning pocket of pessimism comes from short-sellers. Almost 6 million BKC shares have been sold short, accounting for a whopping 14.7% of the company's total float. An unwinding of these bearish bets in the face of the stock's uptrend could add more fuel for Burger King's continued ascent. To take advantage of this uptrend, investors should consider the stock's Aug. 25 call.Special Offer: The financial sector has been a minefield for investors this year, but is it time to buy in at what seem to be rock-bottom prices? Or is there still money to be made on the bearish side? Tread carefully and get the help of an expert. Click here for recommended trades with a 30-day free trial of Option Advisor.Another security that has been in a stellar long-term uptrend is McDonald's (nyse: MCD - news - people ), home of the Big Mac, Egg McMuffin, and a sweet tea that is proving to be a gold mine for the firm as same-store sales remain strong amid a weak overall economy. McDonald's has ramped higher along its 10-month and 20-month trend lines. In fact, MCD has closed only one month below both of these trend lines since May 2003.Pessimism toward Mickey D's is also slowly edging higher, as the put/call open interest ratio has risen since June option expiration. The ratio has increased from 0.68 to 0.72 as investors add more put positions. Overall, sentiment is optimistic toward this high-flying security, which is to be expected. As the shares bounce off current support levels, an August 57.50 call would enable a trader to lock in a nice profit.Not everything is rosy within the fast-food sector, however. CKE Restaurants (nyse: CKR - news - people ), parent of the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains, announced June 26 its first-quarter net income rose to $16.6 million, or 31 cents per share, on revenue of $466.2 million. Analysts had forecast a profit of 27 cents per share on revenue of $464.5 million.While the shares jumped on the positive earnings news, they were quickly halted by resistance at their declining 10-month moving average. This trend line has guided CKR shares lower during the past month, keeping them capped. A rejection at this moving average could send the equity back for another test of support at $9, a decline of more than 28% from the stock's current price.Special Offer: How high will Potash Saskatchewan climb? Should you still be a bull on fertilizer stocks, or is the bullish case a bunch of manure? How about gold--is that party over? Click here for daily recommended trades in Bernie Schaeffer's Option Advisor.Meanwhile, hopes are running high for this long-term underperformer. The Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio for CKR has fallen to 0.7 and is lower than 83% of all those taken during the past 52 weeks. In other words, short-term options players have been more optimistically aligned only 17% of the time during the past 12 months. This combination of lingering optimism on a stock that is technically struggling with resistance has bearish implications. To take advantage of a rejection at CKR's 10-month moving average, traders should focus on the security's September 12.50 put.Taking a step back from the traditional fast-food fare and looking for something a little different, we find an interesting opportunity in Panera Bread (nasdaq: PNRA - news - people ). The security has recently gained more than 46% after bouncing off support at the 32 level earlier this year. The stock is currently consolidating its gains, moving sideways into support at its ascending 20-week moving average. The shares could use this intermediate-term trend line as a springboard to launch them higher.Meanwhile, investors are extremely skeptical of Panera's strength. The Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio rests at 1.37, as put open interest outnumbers calls open interest. This reading is also higher than nearly three-quarters of the reading taken during the past year. Short-sellers have also flocked to this security, accounting for roughly 30% of the company's total float. As more of these bears jump on the outperforming shares' bandwagon, it will help to fuel the stock's rally. An August 45 call on Panera would allow a trader to rake in a profit on strength in the shares.

Monday, July 14, 2008

McDonald's - Consistently Great

Stocks Worth Buying Again
By Dave Mock July 13, 2008 Comments (0)
4 Recommendations
It's always fascinating to read stories about average, everyday people who built fortunes by regularly investing small amounts over long periods of time in companies such as Chevron (NYSE: CVX), McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO).
If you worked for these companies, or regularly "trickled" money into them over the years, having amassed a fortune is quite feasible -- Chevron, McDonald's, and Coca-Cola have returned roughly 14.1%, 14.9%, and 15.0% annually over the past three decades or so, respectively.
But you can also get market-beating returns by buying into great companies at more opportune times -- whenever the stock goes on sale. Rather than regularly investing small, fixed amounts, investors can use the simple method of buying a stock in portions to manage risk and boost returns.
First, find a solid businessOf course, every situation is different, but big returns on investments always come on the backs of fundamentally strong businesses. And if you're confident that you've purchased shares in a great company, why wouldn't you consider buying again, particularly if the stock price is significantly below intrinsic value? Especially in pessimistic markets (like today's), fundamentally strong businesses can be bought for good prices.
For large, stable companies, buying more shares when the outlook for them is bleak can be rewarding. For instance, buying more British American Tobacco back at the peak of investors' pessimism over tobacco lawsuits would have juiced your returns considerably -- the stock has returned more than 1,100% from its low in 2000.
For younger, riskier companies, a strategy of acquiring shares in portions is a smart play. It limits your initial outlay and gives you a chance to buy again if shares experience an unwarranted drop.
For example, look at top retailer Best Buy and Internet auctioneer eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY). Both companies' stock soared several hundred percent in the late 1990s, only to have their prices whacked more than 60% from the market's peak in March 2000 until the end of that year. While most investors were licking their wounds and kicking themselves for not selling sooner, sharp investors who saw long-term value and competitive advantages in these companies were taking advantage of the pessimism.
Buying more shares of Best Buy and eBay near their lows at the end of 2000 would have earned you 251% and 225%, respectively, on that new money. The larger economic conditions had only a temporary impact on the solid, proven business models behind Best Buy and eBay.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Dairy Queen

Summary
International Dairy Queen (IDQ) has been supplying brain-freezes for almost 70 years. The company is a leading franchiser of frozen treat stores, with more than 5,600 Dairy Queen quick-service restaurants popular for their ice cream treats, including Blizzards, sundaes, and cones. Many of the stores also serve burgers, fries, and other items. A small number of units are company-owned. In addition, IDQ franchises about 400 Orange Julius locations serving blended fruit drinks, and a small number of Karmelkorn stands offering a variety of popcorn treats. IDQ franchisees operate in the US, Canada, and 20 other countries. Tracing its roots back to 1938, the company is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. More from Hoovers »
7505 Metro Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55439 USA +1-952-830-0200 (Phone)952-830-0273 (Fax)
Company website:http://www.dairyqueen.com