Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: alphatarget1
Starbucks went back down again... is it a good buy still?
I think Starbucks is a good buy in the $15s and international growth will help support the stock price in the future. Starbucks has a great brand name and franchise and contrary to popular belief, I think the barrier to entry into its business is quite high IMO. But short term, it's hard to fight $4 gas.
SBUX has no moat.
Anyone can easily setup their own coffee shop. Many stores already have their shop and only need to pay $100 more to setup their own coffee stand.
McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Creme, "insert any other fast food restaurant here". Even all the Walgreen stores in my area are now having their own coffee and flavor ice stands.
SBUX coffee franchise is not that great.
Most people I know only go there for the experience, to meet new people and such.
Why pay $4 for a cup of coffee when you can barely afford $4/gallon gas?
Currently, it's hip and cool to buy an expensive cup of coffee, but at some point that will no longer be the case.
It's good that Howard Schultz is back. However I think it's still a little early to start playing it.
Don't expect him to change things there overnight. Maybe wait a year or so and see.