Warming Up and About Last Weekend: Good Eating

And, about time. Supposed to be in the mid-50s today. Just hope there is no flooding. //// THURSDAY, MARCH 6TH: Donavan's in Twin Lakes, Wis. K.C.'s Cabin in Spring Grove for wings and Tommy's. Frank pointed out that a front headlight wasn't working. //// FRIDAY, MARCH 7TH: Took the '03 Malibu in to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake, Il. for the headlight. Breakfast at Dino's Den and shopping. Later, too many people at the Grant Township Fish Fry at the Legion, so had the fish fry at Never Sink Inn in Spring Grove (building dates to 1900). One of the best, a-u-c-e fried or broiled for $9.95 we've ever had. Joined by Kevin and Kelly. Then a nightcap at Tommy's/ //// SATURDAY, MARCH 8TH: Richmond-Spring Grove (Ill) Business Expo and Nippersink Library. Later, Pam's 60th surprise birthday party at Corkscrew Pointe in McHenry (former 1900 hotel on the Fox River). Dueling Pianos. //// SUNDAY, MARCH 9TH: Brunch ($7) at the Polish Legion of American Veterans in McHenry. Bloody Mary at Twisted Moose and Bulls beat the Heat at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg. Later, BlackHawks game at Tommy's and Antonio's. //// A Good Time. --RoadDog

Iconic Brands That Just Disappeared

From the July 3, 2013, Yahoo! Finance, 24/7 Wall St by Alexander E.M. Hess and Michael B. Sauter.

Ten years ago, SONY Ericsson was one of the hottest cell phone makers and Cingular was one of the most popular wireless carriers and, then Compaq was one of the hottest PC brands. Don't ask me about the first two. I'd heard of them, but you're talking to a guy who has had his cell phone (same one) for about eight years and still doesn't know how to operate it. I think my school in Round Lake got Compaq computers for the first time back in 2000. I didn't know how to operate them either.

These and others have effectively ceased to exist, but were household names back then. Cause of loss, usually significant mismanagement coupled with industry pressure.

Compaq and Cingular were bought. Some others which are gone now: Lehman Brothers, Wachovia, Washington Mutual and Saab.

Gone Now. --RoadDog

Five Big Retailers That Will Be Gone in Five Years

From the April 11th Yahoo! Finance by Brian Sozzi.

I'm just listing, go to site to find out why.

1. J.C. Penney's
2.  Staples
3.  Sears
4.  Radio Shack
5.  Barnes & Noble

Sad to see these go, although I don't even know if I've ever been in a Staples store.  I rarely go into Sears of Penney's.  Of course, I really hated it when a hedge fund guy got Sears and K-Mart, which marked the beginning of the end of those two stores.  Not much lower than a hedge fund and, especially the manager of one.

I also rarely went into Radio Shack's, even back in the 70s.

I will definitely miss Barnes & Nobles, even though there are none around here.  The loss of our local Border's helped get me off of the book box stores, even though I really liked them.

I Hate to See Stuff From My Past Go.  --RoadDog

It's Do Or Die Time for Four Well-known Retailers

From the January 27, 2012, Yahoo! Business, Wall Street Journal "For four retailers, Do or Die."

BEST BUY--  The big problem here is customers "Showrooming."  That is where they come in, look at the product and then go home and order online.

J.C. PENNEY CO--  Trying to ditch its old-fashioned department store image.

RADIO SHACK--  This company is 91-years-old and named after the shipboard communications cabin (I didn't know that).

SEARS-- Continually selling stuff off to show profits to keep stockholders happy.  Owned by hedge fund owner Edward Lampert.  I personally don't trust hedge fund folk.

I rarely go into Best Buy anymore as I no longer have an idea how to operate most of their stuff, plus, around here, when you do, you get attacked by Direct TV.  I don't even remember the last time I went into a Radio Shack.  I think I asked to get a cassette tape demagnetizer and head cleaner and they didn't know what I was talking about.

I hardly ever go to Sears or Penney's.  You know, they don't even carry CDs anymore.

Hoping These Old Companies Survive, But Doubt It.  --RoadDog

OVERHEARD IN 1955:  It costs $15 a day to stay in a hospital.  Who can afford that.

Worst Words to Say at Work

In Forbes by Linda Durro.

Try
Whatever
Maybe
I don't know.
I'll get back to you.
If
Yes, but.
I guess.
We'll see.

How About Swearing at the Boss? --RoadDog

Ten Most Popular Franchises-- Part 2

6. DUNKIN DONUTS-- 9,000 around the globe

7. SUPER 8 MOTELS-- Started with one motel in Aberdeen, SD, in 1974 with rooms at $8.88 a night. 2,000 North American locations.

8. DAYS INN-- Started in 1970. 1,910 motels in 15 countries.

9. CURVES FOR WOMEN-- Launched in Texas in 1992. Four million members, 10,000 sites in 70 countries.

10. MATCO TOOLS-- No licensing or royalty fees. Sell out of trucks.

These were based on Franchise rates to repay SBA loans.

Maybe I'll Start My Own Business. Nah, Too Much Woik. --RoadDog

Ten Most Popular Franchises-- Part 1

From April 21st CNN Money.

1. SUBWAY-- With their $5 footlongs. Biggest fast food chain in the world with 33,000 in 91 countries. Initial franchise setup of $15,000

2. QUIZNOS-- Toasted subs. $25,000 initial fee. The one in Fox Lake, Il. went out of business.

3. UPS STORE-- UPS bought Mailboxes, Etc. in 2001

4. COLDSTONE CREAMERY-- Super premium ice cream (and super premium prices)-- 1,400 locations. $42,000 initial fee. The one in Fox Lake went out of business.

5. DAIRY QUEEN-- Celebrating 70th birthday. Blizzards. 5,700 locations. $35,000 initial fees.

More to Come. --RoadDog

Vote for the Millionaire of Your Choice, But Vote!!!

The other day, Yahoo had a news story about what our candidates are worth. It goes as follows:

$34.9 million-- Hillary Clinton
$54.7 million -- John Edwards
$52.2 million-- Rudolph Giulani
$1.3 million-- Barack Obama
$40.4 million --John McCain
$202 million-- Mitt Romney
$8.1 million-- Fred Thompson

I don't know about anyone else, but I have not made up my mind. I watched the New Hampshire debates last Saturday and, although generally impressed, still don't have an idea.

I kind of liked Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, from an experience standpoint and the fact that he was the "forgotten" person of the four Democratic candidates. Also, he is not on the above list.

These days, I have to admit that I don't much trust anyone with a lot of money or involved with business. They seem to be out just for themselves and to hell with the regular folks. Especially with the new age of CEOs and business.

Of the ones listed, I guess I'd have to go with Obama as he is worth the least.

Who to Vote For, Who to Vote For. --RoadDog

Dad Sure Would Have Been Proud

Dad spent most of his working life with Quaker Oats Company. As a matter of fact, that is how I ended up here in Illinois. He had been transferred to the home office located in the Merchandise Mart in Chicago back when I was about to start 6th grade, and I've been here ever since, except for a year in Georgia.

The May 29th Chicago Tribune (his favorite paper) Business section had an article titled "Quaker fills healthy role for PepsiCo. Unit vital in parent's effort to alter image" by John Schmeltzer.

Most people thought PepsiCo would quickly get rid of Quaker Oats when they bought it seven years ago, which they did mostly to acquire Gatorade. "The Chicago-based maker of oatmeal, breakfast cereals, and pasta is assuming the point position for PepsiCo's drive into the health and wellness food category."

This new role is expected to bring new growth to Quaker, whose biggest product continues to be oatmeal which it invented more than a century ago. Quaker provides only 5% of PepsoCo's revenue, but nearly 9% of its operating profit.

Quaker has evidently moved from the Merchandise Mart as the article goes on to say that there are 2000 employees at the 17-story West Loop office building and that number is up 800 from when the company was purchased. The building is dubbed the QTG Group for Quaker, Tropicana, and Gatorade. Tropicana moved there from Bradenton. Florida two years ago.

This year, more than half the products Quaker is introducing will carry the Smart Spot logo for health. All new products are being developed and tested in the Quaker/Gatorade research center in Barrington, Il.

This is where we got out Siamese cat, Sammie from back in the sixties. They had a lot of animals to test new food products.  Now that cat was quite the character. My scratched hands have finally healed.

Somewhere, Dad Must Be Smiling.  --RoadDog