John Glass
John Glass
accounts almost continue europe hold market order percent pony prove sales stock strong terms
McDonald's will have to prove that it is not a one-trick pony in terms of its sales trends. Europe is getting better. This is a market that's almost as strong as the U.S. and accounts for as much as 40 percent of profits. But psychologically for investors, the U.S. market has to continue to do well in order for the stock to hold up.
We will not opine about the feasibility of such a transaction,
anyone april expects extremely half increase october percent sales second
The second half of 2004 is extremely critical. April sales were very strong, but I don't think anyone expects a 10 percent sales increase in September, October and November.
believe company concern flu impact increasing seen
While avian flu has become an increasing concern in Europe, we don't believe the company has seen any discernable impact on sales.
bought certainly company fits generally last likes literally names profile regarded return touch value
Certainly if you bought it last March, it was cheap. It was a value stock. It is generally regarded as a well-run company with a big return on investment. Buffett likes beaten-up names and things you can feel, touch and literally eat. It fits his profile pretty well.
bullet dodge hurricane seen
It's unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it, ... We dodged a bullet with Hurricane George, but we didn't dodge this bullet.
coffee doughnut hot logistics perfect problems
It's not a perfect world. There were some problems with the doughnut and coffee shops; the logistics were a little challenging. But I don't necessarily think ... that it has to be a hot doughnut.
extremely gets nowhere point
It was extremely scary, ... It gets to the point where you have nowhere to go.
control finally playing
We're finally really playing for something. We control our own destiny.
chosen huge invest million sales seeing
They've chosen not to invest as aggressively as other companies, but also they're not seeing the same sales ramp. You know $17 million in sales this year, that's not really a huge number,
cutting dramatic fairly next thinking whereas
This is a fairly dramatic reduction. They're cutting it down to 600 restaurants next year, whereas I was thinking they would cut it down to 800.
hear leave maybe name
I think it's great. You hear of skis being stolen. I just have my name on a sticker, but if you see 'police' on a sticker, maybe they'll leave them alone.
double eating items less macs nice people
If people started eating less Big Macs and Double Cheeseburgers, it would be a problem, ... Those are nice high-margin items for McDonald's.
aside complex issue order step
In the store, it's an issue of queuing ? someone can have a complex order and step aside while it's being made.