by jim muehlhausen | May 26, 2010 | Business Model Tips, Carls Jr, Fast Food Business Model, Hardees, McDonalds, Public Companies, Success Stories
In late February, THL Partners agreed to take CKE Restaurants (CKR) private in a transaction worth $694 million. CKE operates both Hardees and Carl’s Jr Restaurants. As you can see from the chart below, CKE operates about 3100 locations whereas McDonalds (MCD)...
by jim muehlhausen | May 11, 2010 | Burger King, Business Model Tips, Failure Stories, McDonalds, Public Companies, Success Stories
In the latest round of the burger wars, Burger King has apparently given up. As you can see from the following commercial, Burger King has apparently run out of ideas and has changed its model to “Hey, we are not as good as McDonalds, but we are cheaper.” This...
by admin | Mar 30, 2010 | Business Model Tips, competitive advantage, recession, Uncategorized
Business owners are becoming increasingly concerned about their business sinking due to the economic woes our country faces. However, by focusing on the business fundamentals, you can actually THRIVE during such a crisis! Here’s how: Focus on the Eight Essentials For...
by jim muehlhausen | Mar 23, 2010 | blockbuster video, Business Model Tips, Failure Stories, Public Companies
Is there any fixing Blockbuster’s business model? Last week it was rumored that Blockbuster might be filing for bankruptcy. As I went to return a couple movies I rented over the weekend, I found this. In Blockbuster’s glory days, this very store had deep lines...
by jim muehlhausen | Mar 5, 2010 | bean counter, Business Model Tips, cost cutting, Failure Stories, holiday inn, Public Companies
When I travel for speaking engagements, my accommodations are often booked for me. I checked in early to my Holiday Inn Express room in Houston yesterday. As I looked around my room, signs of bean-counter hell abounded. As I scratched my itchy skin, I noticed that...
by jim muehlhausen | Feb 5, 2010 | Business Model Secrets, Business Model Tips, freakonomics
The other day I saw Steven Levitt, the author of the best-selling book Freakonomics speak at DePauw University. Aside from the fascinating stories, one thing struck me: How does a University of Chicago Economics professor end up studying Chicago drug rings and Sumo...
