Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[Mojo]

I don’t think you need a particularly high income for all AMEX cards these days.

Yes you are correct, it's absolute gibberish. The majority of American Express cards have no minimum income requirement whatsoever. If anything, holding one would more likely benefit those with lower incomes as it's effectively free stuff for spending money they would have otherwise spent anyway.

 

[Dai Corner]

Needless to say these days, as a wealthy train driver, I have a Jay-Z-style black Amex in my MontBlanc wallet. I also take the chopper to work on the days my chauffeur isn’t available.

You wouldn't be seen dead in the passenger compartment of a train, I'm sure. Even First Class.

 

[Bromley boy]

You wouldn't be seen dead in the passenger compartment of a train, I'm sure. Even First Class.

No indeed. I don’t care to mix with the hoi polloi.

The only time I enjoy travelling by train is when I’m guaranteed a seat and the train waits for me.

 

[bnm]

I also take the chopper to work

I have two choppers.

I ride the Raleigh to my work as a tree surgeon.

 

[Bromley boy]

I have two choppers.

I ride the Raleigh to my work as a tree surgeon.

You ride a cheap bike to work? Sounds like a hatchet job to me.

 

[Busaholic]

I have two choppers.

I ride the Raleigh to my work as a tree surgeon.

Given the meaning of Raleigh in Cockney rhyming slang, your reference to two choppers could be misconstrued!

 

[Kite159]

With news that Debenhams has issued a further profits warning, I would put 10p on some stores sadly being closed in the next few months.

 

[DanDaDriver]

You wouldn't be seen dead in the passenger compartment of a train, I'm sure. Even First Class.

He changes ends via Sedan Chair

 

[kevconnor]

With news that Debenhams has issued a further profits warning, I would put 10p on some stores sadly being closed in the next few months.

I would possibly second this, not sure what their current ebitda or their gearing is like but I know when they were previously taken over the debt was loaded onto the company. It seems to be another high street name which is struggling to meet the current needs of the market.

 

[pdq]

I hope Debenhams stays. It's one of few stores that I could buy something from on every visit, if I had the means. The newer stores (like Wakefield) seem to be light, airy and easy to navigate.

 

[yorksrob]

Burger King is undeniably on the skids. They only ever have one member of staff on, so "fast" or even brisk food isn't an option. Their burger meals generally seem to be too high for their market (leading to an over-reliance of cheap bus ticket offers).

I can't see it continuing.

 

[Iskra]

Most of their outlets are franchises so they don’t have the financial risk themselves.

The profit margin on what they sell is excellent, so I think they will be fine.

The fact they have limited staff on helps the margins even more.

 

[pemma]

They do have "super franchisees" though so a collection could go all at once if they struggle rather than just one branch.

 

[yorksrob]

Most of their outlets are franchises so they don’t have the financial risk themselves.

The profit margin on what they sell is excellent, so I think they will be fine.

The fact they have limited staff on helps the margins even more.

Not if all the punters give up. Massive queue with almost empty restaurant seems to be a frequent combination.

 

[Iskra]

That’s something of a paradoxical statement.

It’s substandard service, but they seem to operate in a lot of places where you have little to no competition and therefore they survive.

 

[krus_aragon]

Not if all the punters give up. Massive queue with almost empty restaurant seems to be a frequent combination.

True, but KFC are still in business, and that's after they shot themselves in the foot by closing all their stores for a week or so due to lack of chicken!

 

[yorksrob]

That’s something of a paradoxical statement.

It’s substandard service, but they seem to operate in a lot of places where you have little to no competition and therefore they survive.

They still seem to have a lot of city centre outlets.

 

[yorksrob]

True, but KFC are still in business, and that's after they shot themselves in the foot by closing all their stores for a week or so due to lack of chicken!

The one in Leeds station seemed to be packing up at half seven this evening, so not a particularly good omen.

 

[Iskra]

They still seem to have a lot of city centre outlets.

True, but nowhere near as many as the competition, they seem in healthy shape though:

https://metro.co.uk/2017/11/16/there-could-soon-be-a-lot-more-burger-kings-in-the-uk-7085869/

Burger King is ready to open a raft of new branches in the UK under new financial backing. The chain of fast food restaurants has reached a £50 million deal with private equity group Bridgepoint, which owns Pret a Manger and has investments in ASK. The firm has also swooped to buy Caspian UK Group, one of the UK’s largest Burger King franchisees with 74 restaurants across the country. The deal, thought to be worth £50m, will have huge consequences for Burger King in the UK (Picture: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Burger King has more than 500 branches in the UK currently (Picture Niall Carson/PA Wire) It means the giant will open many new Burger King branches across the UK. There are just 500 UK sites, while McDonald’s boasts around 1,200 and KFC has more than 800. ‘The UK eating out market is continuing to grow and it is a major trend in terms of convenience and value. This is quite a resilient market,’ said a Bridgepoint spokesman. The industry has praised the move and said we can expect ‘rapid growth’. Burger King has a stronger hold on the market in Europe than the UK. Restaurant Brands International – the Canadian company that also owns chains such as Tim Hortons and Popeyes – will maintain a minority stake in the Burger King chain through its Switzerland-based Burger King Europe affiliate.

Incidentally, the franchise KFC at Chapeltown closed down after chickengate.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm starting to wonder how long Grand Central are going to last...

 

[adrock1976]

I'm starting to wonder how long Grand Central are going to last...

Is this the Train Operating Company or the shopping centre (formerly the Palasades) that is above Birmingham New Street station?

 

[Kite159]

Is this the Train Operating Company or the shopping centre (formerly the Palasades) that is above Birmingham New Street station?

I would put 10p on it being the Train Operating Company

 

[Busaholic]

Is this the Train Operating Company or the shopping centre (formerly the Palasades) that is above Birmingham New Street station?

I hope it's not that grand institution the Oyster Bar, going since 1913 in the station of the same name.

 

[bussnapperwm]

I would put 10p on it being the Train Operating Company

That's given me a great idea....

A forum buyout of Grand Central...

I'll put down a fiver

 

[Busaholic]

That's given me a great idea....

A forum buyout of Grand Central...

You can put me down for 10p too, in that case.

 

[Kite159]

That's given me a great idea....

A forum buyout of Grand Central...

The shopping centre or the operator?

 

[AlterEgo]

You can put me down for 10p too, in that case.

Don’t be greedy. You’re not having 50%.

 

[Busaholic]

Don’t be greedy. You’re not having 50%.

I refuse to inherit liabilities

 

[Cowley]

I refuse to inherit liabilities

I don’t think this is the investment for you then Busaholic.

 

[johntea]

I think Burger King downsized a bit a few years ago but seem to have done fairly well since then, they're quite decent across the pond, surprisingly McDonalds aren't as great stateside in my experience!

Five Guys is something else that is a decent enough idea in the USA but I have no idea how it has expanded so much in the UK and manages to survive! They always seem empty which isn't a surprise considering the prices charged! Granted the food is reasonable but you're approaching sit down restaurant prices!