We briefly note the following tidbits regarding McDonald’s (MCD; Buy), Starbucks (SBUX; Neutral), and Taco Bell (owned by Yum Brands [YUM; Buy]):
We briefly note the following tidbits regarding McDonald’s (MCD; Buy), privatelyheld Luckin Coffee, The Cheesecake Factory (CAKE; Neutral), and Dunkin’ (owned by Dunkin’ Brands Group [DNKN; Neutral]):
A simple Google search shows that multiple media outlets have, in the past, noted that privately-held Chick-fil-A is poised to become the third-largest restaurant concept in the U.S. (as measured by domestic systemwide sales) in the year 2020. Starting this past April, we began predicting that this will actually happen one full year earlier than these media outlets suspect — forecasting that Chick-fil-A becomes the third-largest restaurant concept in the U.S. in the year 2019. But — surprise! — there appears to be a growing and reasonable chance that Chick-fil-A leaps from 7th place in 2017 to 3rd place in 2018.