Yahoo! Finance
10-13-2006, 03:00 PM
Yahoo Finance Investing Picks
Motley Fool
Wendy's Plays Old Maid
Friday October 13, 12:24 pm ET
By Rick Aristotle Munarriz
Just like that, Wendy's (NYSE: WEN) is alone again, naturally. After successfully spinning off its Tim Hortons (NYSE: TIM) chain earlier this year, the country's third-largest burger chain has now found a buyer for its struggling Baja Fresh concept.
The company will be getting $31 million for its once-promising chain, which specializes in serving up freshly made Mexican eats. I recommend the chicken tortilla soup with sliced avocado. It's thick and hearty and nothing at all like what Baja Fresh turned out to be in Wendy's hands.
A couple of years ago, it seemed as if Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG - News), CKE Restaurants' (NYSE: CKR) La Salsa, and Baja Fresh would rule this niche -- a step up from fast-food grub, yet a cheaper quick-service alternative to casual dining. It didn't happen. La Salsa's growth has stalled as it holds firm to about 100 units over the past few years, while Baja Fresh has stagnated at the 300 mark. In that time, Chipotle has been able to expand quickly, scoring the surging comps that Baja Fresh hasn't been able to muster.
complete article here... (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/finance/news/rss/story/*http://biz.yahoo.com/fool/061013/116075667413.html?.v=1)
Motley Fool
Wendy's Plays Old Maid
Friday October 13, 12:24 pm ET
By Rick Aristotle Munarriz
Just like that, Wendy's (NYSE: WEN) is alone again, naturally. After successfully spinning off its Tim Hortons (NYSE: TIM) chain earlier this year, the country's third-largest burger chain has now found a buyer for its struggling Baja Fresh concept.
The company will be getting $31 million for its once-promising chain, which specializes in serving up freshly made Mexican eats. I recommend the chicken tortilla soup with sliced avocado. It's thick and hearty and nothing at all like what Baja Fresh turned out to be in Wendy's hands.
A couple of years ago, it seemed as if Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG - News), CKE Restaurants' (NYSE: CKR) La Salsa, and Baja Fresh would rule this niche -- a step up from fast-food grub, yet a cheaper quick-service alternative to casual dining. It didn't happen. La Salsa's growth has stalled as it holds firm to about 100 units over the past few years, while Baja Fresh has stagnated at the 300 mark. In that time, Chipotle has been able to expand quickly, scoring the surging comps that Baja Fresh hasn't been able to muster.
complete article here... (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/finance/news/rss/story/*http://biz.yahoo.com/fool/061013/116075667413.html?.v=1)