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Yeah, if they call me I believe they will end up hanging up on me, not the other way around. They have a lot of nerve acting the way they do, IMO. JV messed up by keeping them along for so long, should have moved on and realized he could raise $$$ on his own. I wouldn't buy a water from them in he%%.
Another week gone by with no releases, quite dissapointing. And. no letters from the TA once again in the mail... nice.
sometimes the big trend is way up, sometimes it's down. it will take an event to turn the trend in a big way one way or the next. take a 'years' approach rather than a 'days' approach to upzs. Trends take forever to change course unfortunately... I'm sure if mgmt executes we'll see a nice reversal. Right now the mkt and investors aren't sold anymore on upzs mgmt, they have to re-prove themselves, and that is the time decay of an investment - management that loses the mkts faith.
Good luck, and all imo
Referring to the reasons behind their slow execution, sorry.
i'm more interested to see where they are end of Q2 personally. If they aren't clearly on a better track then today, worry
At the end of the day it doesn't matter much, does it? Until the financials come out we don't know the severity of their delays. They could be minor, could be major. What really matters is how much cash they have for the issued stock, and how much they're burning, and when they will 'cross-over' into profitability. IF they have to go back to the financing well it will be tough on us initial shareholders once again, and our upside will be diluted.
If they don't, then let's take these hiccups as a learning curve in a risky start-up business and give them a break until the beginning of summer. I'm watching, as I've said a few times before, for the 1/2 way point of 07, I'll know a lot more than. I may analyze things a lot, but I'll give them another quarter before truly becoming really concerned.
Each investor has their risk tolerance levels, mine happens to be quite high. If yours is low, man you are in the wrong type of investment. I recommend Berkshire Hathaway for you, it probably won't go broke in our lifetimes, and should make an honest return.
For an investment like UPZS, folks, you can buy a share for $.08. If it goes to a dollar per share, or a $500M (or so) market cap (half of papa johns market cap, give or take), you will have made over 10x your investment. Not easy to do.
I won't unveil my selling strategy, but my theory is either this goes bankrupt or we make a boatload of cash on this. I'm a sucker for the American dream, and want to see JV and Company succeed - i'm really behind them though it's difficult.
Good luck and IMO.
Correct. And... The market doesn't give two hoots about what the delays are! Everyone else has to figure them out, so rest assured they aren't saying "poor UPZS, we'll give them a raincheck on getting things done." Bottom line is they raised the amount of cash they needed to get to cash-flow positive in X months. The cash doesn't grow precipitously because there are delays either.
I give them very limited sympathy on this. The only portion i grant them is G'Ment is a tough org to work with. Again, the market really doesn't care though.
The company still has their opportunity to gain back the markets excitement, but in Q1 of 2007 they have really scared me regarding their execution skills in big business. Let's hope they turn it around... At these levels, you must just hope... If you tried to sell all your shares now becuase you were fed up, you simply wouldn't be able to get much for them, b/c the bids are just not there...
Can't wait for this next famed conference call. Whenever it may be. Again, that's open-ended just like the message board, and all the stores that were gonna open, so who knows when we'll hear from them next. Hopefully it's via PR's so the rest of the market can hear what they've told us.
Hopefully y'all don't think I'm just being negative here, just calling it the way that I see it. Maybe mgmt reads this board and thinks we're all CRAZY! If so, they've done worse communicating to us than we've thought. On the flip side, if they agree with all of this, than that is scary in and of itself. The company has a lot of good salespeople, but again the market cares about facts
All IMO
Exactly, if things were perfect we wouldn't be at $.08! LOL.
The market is now discounting the fact that mgmt talked big and didn't deliver. In my experiences (IMO), once mgmt disappoints the market, it can take 2+ years to begin re-establishing credibility. The markets and investors are very emotional. If you're holding this, plan on holding it for years and quit watching each tick, you'll go nuts.
Regardless of how pos or neg one may be, the company needs to step up their execution and fast. It's amazing how quiet it's been, and the lack of opening these famed stores in Milwaukee, Austin, and other locations... I'd also like an update on how the operating stores are doing. Are they doing better than a typical franchise, worse, the same? It'd be nice to know if the public is buying into this food.
Good analogy. Yup, they've missed a layup and we don't quite know yet if they were able to rebound the ball.
I hope they sink the shot as well, we all have a lot of $$ riding on this, and time opportunity cost.
I'm so in line with you with regards to FC, and I'm sorry that you got cheated out of your payment for referrals, that is never good. I wish to god they weren't even franchisees and were out of the picture completely. The only good thing about them being a franchisee is they can't screw the company as a whole. My confidence in FC is zero. I still recall whomever the gentleman used car sales guy is that runs the place told me that stocks like UPZS should be expected to trade at 100 times earnings. I just laughed in his face, and still to this day I get angered at how many folks probably bought into that hook-line-and-sinker, and there's no guarantees that FC wasn't selling in the midst of all of this. All my opinion (IMO, every disclosure). I'm speculating but it's not illegal to speculate. Invest your $$ with 2 eyes open.
I guess they haven't read market history where the average company trades around a P/E of 15, except high-growth companies that sometimes command a 30-40 P/E. Average in the pizza industry I think is around 30/35 (or so). Gotta have the 'E' before that matters though.
I hope folks invested with reasonable time frames for returns, what happened last year was really a fluke... Someone ran it up and tanked it.
Good luck, All IMO
Well, time for a lesson in business valuation. Who here would raise $21M to leverage buyout UPZS at $.04/share? They have less than 10 stores operating, cash unknown, and limited assets. The market looks forward though, and the company says they will open 100+ stores. At that rate (100+ stores), the current price seems very CHEAP. BUT, if they don't execute than it is probably fair to overvalued IMO. The name/brand alone isn't worth $40M, what is?? It's the plan and execution of it, and the faith in the mgmt (faith is waning).
Just think that's at $.04/share, and we trade at $.08. That's what adding large amounts of shares does to a 'stock' value. The 'company' value is all the matters, quit looking so hard at the stock price. The valuation metric that should be used is market cap, which today is north of $40M.
I sense a lot of folks that haven't studies securities in the past on this board. Be prepared for a long drag on the stock price until mgmt shapes up and...
1) applies to be uplisted
2) shows 'good' results towards hitting the goals THEY posted (100+ stores AND $84M / year in Revenue)
3) shows that they are Cash Flow positive and won't need to raise more money - in essense running a business that deserves a lofty valuation
Remember folks, I said it a looooong time ago. UPZS's business model is sound. It hasn't been executed well, but it is cookie-cutter for the most part. IF they ever figure out which end is up, this thing can scale very quickly, so there is a lot of leverage. Realize leverage works both ways, and that not only is UPZS competing with the large franchises, but there are also other newcomers vying for position.
Good luck
IMO
I'm with you.
IMO we can all thank FC for their great advice on the pricing of the stock and amount of shares. Shame on Jim for following their ill-advice. It would be convenient if they helped run the stock up last year and cashed out for serious $. I guess we'll never know and some on this board think it isn't an issue, well I do and the board if for all investors, not just a couple.
They have diluted this too much, and that causes short-term pain. I'm really with Skunk regarding the CC's now. They left NO CC's open-ended, and didn't even give us a date for the next one, that's not good IMO.
Has anyone received notice from the transfer agent on their shares? Please advise!
Crown is right, a LOT of people have invested a LOT of money in this company, not pocket change. It really bugs me how out-of-tune mgmt can be with those that have brought them to the dance. I really hope they act (and not just say) how much they appreciate our support. Most of us have brought other loved ones into this company, and have hung our heads out for this mgmt. They better not give up.
Good luck, and cheers to better times ahead (I hope)!
All IMO
What an irrelevant topic.
I thought JD sold all his shares, I for one couldn't care less what a non-investor is worried about.
Yup. Seems the new buyers are waiting and seeing. The share price may be falling as well becuase they've printed too many shares!
They need announcements and an uplisting before this thing can get moving again, imo. The company seems to be struggling to me, and seems to be surprised at how hard it is to actually execute a big idea... As i've said, they have until mid-Q2 in my book to show some real progress...
Others can say "oh 2007 this, oh 2007 that" but if we aren't on a steadily good flow of openings and communications, it doesn't matter if it's May 31, 2007, or December 31, 2007 in my book - they aren't executing.
They need to turn this around... I'm still rattled by Bill V's lack of knowledge on the company two CC's ago. He is 2nd in command here and better wrap his hands around the situation. The financials better not be too ugly, but how could they be that good?
OK. We'll see what happens then and how quickly they are willing to speak to us.
A quick example of a few other things they've said "specifically:"
- Milwaukee location would be open in July 2006. It is now March 2007
- $84M in sales and 170 locations by the end of 2007. It is March 2007, and we have around 7-8 locations
- We'll have a website that will offer a blog to discuss the business - this was offered many times but never delivered
Anyway, I'm not here to bash the company, they do some things good and some things poorly. Their communication skills so far have been poor IMO.
They need to step it up, and the market is now taking them down for lack of execution. Gee Whiz we're at $.08 again, we were here a year ago. They have SO many folks believing in them and invested in them, that all of the management team better suck it up and make things happen. It's gotta be tough though right now, with some of the lack of movement.
Just my thoughts... But seeing this thing paint the tape at 4 cents today really scared the heck out of me, and I won't be comfortable until we settle again near $.15/share, but who knows how long that'll be. The more the O/S go up, the harder it is to grow market cap... Few seem to care that they are adding shares though, eh?
This stock action is quite weird. Just don't know where the demand is. I can't imagine the selling will increase, it's getting too low and investors won't want to take a loss. It's been a painful slug down though, and it isn't a bit of fun.
Until the company begins actually executing the market will attract new buyers. But, here's another 4 weeks + without a PR regarding a new opening. If we can't get one done a month, how can we possibly hit 100 by the end of the year?! It's going to take a miracle...
I guess we'll figure out what's up when the next CC is scheduled. God knows that they'll communicate to everyone when that is going to be as well. I wouldn't be shocked if it just didn't happen, how would they alert everyone???
Too quiet here. I would like to hear something concrete soon. Perhaps they need a physical investment meeting somewhere, I would attend and be sure to make it
Good luck. I hope this sucker rebounds...
Skunk, I'm a bit confused and missed the calls. CAn you explain what this is all about? We could get excellent exposure from something like that potentially...! Let me know. Thx...
There is a chance this could happen again. Fair value wiht 25 stores is higher than $.05/share, so the market isn't discounting any growth right now. We'll see what happens though. Without documented progress it's dead in the water.
Did anybody receive their notice from the Transfer Agent yet? I just checked mail from the weekend and saw nothing. I'd be curious to hear this.
Stock acting sick. Company needs to communicate what's up to the world. I don't like the pace it's falling, not too much further to go unfortunately.
If there's anything about UPZS I have the utmost faith in, is it's technology abilities. Bill V and others there have been in technology their whole careers. I'm not in the least bit concerned about it. They've innovated thus far and they are planning this portion out well and executing this portion of the business nicely IMO.
Go where the business is. If we would have abandoned the West Coast we may not have Fidler supporting us. Since you sold your shares though it probably doesn't really matter anyway JD.
OT
I dunno, it just kind of does. I click on your posts and there's a guy holding his head smiling at me...
I thought you said a couple weeks back you were done with this board and were leaving, what gives? Good luck.
What's up with that picture underneath your posts. It sort of freaks me out
Not a bad point... As I mentioned in an earlier post, I really like the Fidler/company store idea. That's a winning combo. I just don't want them releasing more stock and increasing shares again, pretty simple. It was concerning 3 months ago, and the # given yesterday is also more concerning.
As for the CC's, I do have to see your point. Though I don't think we need one each week (overkill and un-productive), I would like to see one every 4-6 weeks with major updates. With their execution track record we are all left guessing otherwise...
Portman, again we're on the same page.
Should they announce a PIPE or something with garbage potential like that, you will see a lot of MY shares flood onto the market, I'll bail immediately as will other investors I work with.
As for Fidlers funds? Folks, funding costs SOMETHING! I don't care how rich he is. Don't you know we are in the most liquid time in recent history as far as raising cash and cost of capital goes?! The issue is they aren't investing that cash with a good rate of return yet! If they were they wouldn't have to dip back in. They'd better be VERY careful if they need to raise more $$$. They really shouldn't have to at this stage in my opinion.
Good luck.
Well I find it interesting that all of the sudden everyone is discussing the share structure again! Man, did I get ridiculed for bringing that up when I started posting on this board. There are many yellow flags here. If they increase the authorized I for one will be highly ticked. Man, I want to know their cash situation fast! IF they need to raise cash again, it will be dilutive.
I'm still bugged that Bill said "we have financing options" a couple of weeks back. A better answer would have been "we have more than sufficient cash and don't see a need for another offering." Good God, at $1.00/share we'll be as big market-cap wise with Cali Pizza Kitchen and others. Seems my hunch on this all along was correct, but they'll have lots of S/H calling in if they dilute further. And who advised them on the share structure?? We know the answer... FC...
All this being said, if they get stores up, and their stock runs, they could utilize it to sell some high to raise more cash to get to break-even. I don't want any more dilution. Can't be any clearer.
We need store openings. I don't give two hoots today about a CC. If we need one we'll all rally and call the company until they have one. I've only been on 2 in the last year, and wasn't impressed really. They're better off doing what they supposedly know how to do well - cook good pizza and duplicate a "cookie - cutter" model
Good luck. i'm watching the PR's closely, and I also look forward to getting my shares from the TA- no doubt it's about time!
Come on UPZS... Shares are sliding because confidence is eroding. Give us a bone.
Wait... O/S increased? What # is being thrown out there now, if you don't mind sharing. Just curious what was said. The float will increase obviously in a year when the shares are free-trading.
Great feedback. It sounds like the call was worthwhile. I'm thrilled to hear they are going to stop the calls. Though they are nice, ultimately the 2 hours per week and all the scrambling cost them a lot of time. They need to stay focused.
I definitely don't feel that shareholders want to manage this company. However, a company CANNOT ask repeatedly for investments and not expect to be held accountable. Every major investment I have is monitored. If they are hitting targets reasonable closely, completing tasks they've promised, etc; they won't hear much complaining. Skunk you have to remember they've missed a lot of targets and still have a lot of work to do - though I tend to agree everyone does not need every detail.
The subject matters that are important to us, IMO, seem to be:
1) How much cash is left vs burn rate - Break-Even (B/E) Anaylsis
2) Feeling good that we won't be diluted in our stakes any further
3) Becoming uplisted to liquify our investment, and making whole original investors who've been here for such a long time
There are other things, like store openings, but the above questions, once they are answered, can help us all make good decisions on our investments.
My opinion is that none of us investors should make any apologies for asking the hard questions, it's OUR money at stake. If the forum is shut down for 8-10 weeks, I think this is showing the company growing up. We don't need to be appeased every two minutes, it's like refreshing your portfolio value every day. It's an investment...
If you read my posts from a couple weeks back, I recommended that they don't do any more CC's until a total of 20 stores were up-and-running, sounds like they're reading this board! These guys have so many better things to do with their time, and we by all means will have a great feeling by May/June as to whether this company is going to make it, or if this is all hype.
$.07 seems like a decent value for the stock, but that's just IMO. I'm not buying more personally, but I have plenty and apparently some of us will have 25% more soon.
Good luck, and I appreciate the postings regarding the call - I really wanted to make it... Looking forward to the next couple months, sounds like they're getting organized! Wahoo!!
Can anyone provide a summary (as best they can, obviously) as to what was said today. I couldn't make the call unfortunately, but would be interested in hearing what the current skinny is... Hopefully someone will offer to do this!
Thanks...
Dorchester. If you look at this you'll see Dorchester is a main "up-and-coming" neighboorhood as judged by businessweek. Quite interesting.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/03/0307_nabes/index_01.htm?campaign_id=yahoo_neighborhoods
I'm looking forward to hearing more about comp same store sales once we get a decent base of operating stores. I wonder how these are doing versus the bigger chains... Would be interesting data to get from the company...
Thanks Beemer... I'm glad to hear it was received so well...
I take a different view (on some levels) regarding them being late on the CC. I was annoyed as well at the time, but if Bill was out doing things pertinent to grow the business, I'm willing to bend on being too upset. Yeah it shows a lack of communication, but as Beemer said below they are all over the place. Would it have been more excusable if he were on the line with the franchisee in VA discussing a new lease, and that was the cause of the late start?
Jim is definitely a entrepreneur, without a doubt. And a great salesman. I think all the right intentions are there. My opinion regarding their speed of execution and cash situation (if there is one) is unchanged, but when you step back and look at all the $$ raised and committments from franchisees, I'm certain that Beemer is right that they're aiming to "do the right thing."
This is one of those investments where a certain "leap of faith" is required, for better or worse. If for some reason i'm able to wrestle free for part of the CC i'll attend, otherwise i'm hoping someone will summarize it on the board the best they can.
Good luck.
All IMO
Beemer, any insights from the show? Did you have a chance to speak in any detail with either of the Vowlers?
100 stores in 4 years isn't all that big of a deal, honestly. I think UPZS could have that in 15 months, from now. Again, it's hard committments for stores. If you look at the real money folks have had to put down, there is some big cash riding on this. It isn't as if it's a handshake, but rather contractual with deadlines.
It's all about cash-flow positive in my book. If they get there, JV understands marketing and is a helluva salesman, and he'll blow this thing out of the water in my view if he can stay solvent.
What I think is funny with regards in investing in companies such as UPZS, is that this is the highest risk, highest rewards form of investing! Heck, the stock rallied 1000% last year from low to high. Expect a 2 year decline from there to make up for it. The deal is, I hear so many times when speaking with fellow investors "I wish I would've invested in: Domino's, CPK, CSCO, Wendy's, etc" ... Well, while I'm not making a direct comparison, folks, no risk, no reward! You can't sit on your couch and dream of living big and making big $$$ without risking your hard-earned capital. A lot of the mgmt team have risked everything for JV, we've heard of law-offices being de-focused so we can have a great attorney, we've got former executives on board for a lot less money, great IT Officer working on a kick-a$$ system and giving us a lot of business edge thru technology - tell me none of these folks could write their own ticket in corporate america - they could! I'm certain JV appreciates this, and the hundreds of others that put up critical capital for him.
Of course UPZS isn't a guarantee, but if it was it would be fully-priced, very profitable, maturing, and the big money would have been made already by those folks who believed, that despite the endless questions (by me, and a lot of others), put up their money and took a calculated risk. They get the big rewards or they lose everything.
All we're doing now is keeping the mgmt honest, and moving forward. If it seems too easy and that the investors aren't watching closely, it's easier to do the following:
1) Dilute current shareholders
2) Become complacent about costs/cash
3) Lose focus on what is core to your business
We aren't a whiney group of punks, we are investors who are BACKING this start-up company, and we will have our say. Thanks to mgmt for allowing this. But... Execute your plan and make us $$$, that's what this is about... Kudos to those who don't invest in blinders, understand risk/rewards, and aren't afraid to respectfully ask a lot of questions regarding their investments!
Good luck... And let's hope UPZS has a flood of great execution stories between now and June 15 (which is another quarter from now).
All IMO
I don't think my posts are just focused on the past, honestly, you can say what you like but other readers will definitely make their own opinion on varying analyses of this situation.
Honestly, I believe Jim V can and WILL come through, somehow. I've got faith in his whole team, not just him. I've got my money and family money invested based on this premise. I like a lot of what's going on here, but I sure have a lot of questions, don't I?! Business is unpredictable, as are local g'ments... No doubt.
No matter how great or bad things are, there's one thing for sure, the clock is ticking. I wish Fidler would spend a month or two in Pittsburgh and share more of his expertise. Agreed that he is an incredible asset, potentially.
Well Skunk, as to that comment.
He shouldn't have prematurely raised millions from friends and family if he didn't do proper due diligence on a nationwide expansion! I believe they know more about this process since they've started, but it is an achilles heal right now. Excuses won't keep us in business nor grow our market cap. The market doesn't care how many shares you, me, or anyone else hold.
If you don't know, don't promise. It's as simple as that. I certainly pay attention to committments, but I pay more attention to cash flow as well as cash on hand - that to me is all the matters right now, and we won't know the exact financials til they are public. Committments don't pay the bills, execution of the plan and generation of revenues do. There have been many a good ideas in many a start-up companies, only to fail because they executed too slowly and burned through their kitty of cash. The excuse that they have sources of cash is ridiculous in my opinion, any idiot can raise cash today, it's the ultimate time in easy money. Not everyone can launch a successful, financially positive business.
No more excuses, I agree... Bill's nervousness on the call was noted by a lot of folks - they need to get a grip or stop communicating this way. There are some smart investors here who will continue questioning them if the forum is open. My opinion is they are in the "show-me" phase as a lot of investors are now impatient.
Remember each time you read a post that I hold a hoard of these shares, and have a vested interest, just like the rest of ya.
All IMO.
Good post Ordinary Guy. I think all of your points below are very valid indeed... And I wish you a ton of luck in your stores. I have a slew of family in Charlotte and elsewhere in NC, and I'll sure be referring them to your store, as I have to Ken's already, with great feedback.
All of this being said, and respected, the company needs to quit acting so overly optimistic on store openings if this is the case! It is not we investors that made the promises, but there are a lot of people (including a slew of people close to the UPZS family) that invested based on their premises.
You'd think the folks in HQ would have known all these hassles before promising stores in July that still aren't on board (MKE, Austin), etc... A new business has to plan everything around getting ramped up slower than projected.
You provided very useful insight, and it is very appreciated. And you have all of our support in getting your stores up and running.
Good luck... All IMO
If one was going to invest in UPZS, I agree the present levels are quite attractive... They would have to really screw it up to get it below $.05... Imagine all the friends and family who would be mad if this drifted much lower, especially after waiting 2 years. I don't personally see that happening, and believe we're forming a base. All depends on how the market perceives the merger, financials, and roadmap.
They have learned their lesson on PR's, I have no doubt. I wish they would re-forecast what they REALLY believe they'll have on 12/31/07 with respect to # of stores, revenues, etc. Then it would be easier to look at the business valuation objectively. I'm focused on that 180 store #. Fidler has explosive potential, I agree... I've said it many times though, it's all about action and the execution on promises. I think Fidler will bring a more seasoned business approach as far as franchises go to this Board of Directors. Luckily someone at UPZS has such a vast knowledge on this particular business model.
We have to get there without dilution, private placements, and the sort.
IMO
Go to yahoo and type in Unique's ticker, there's all sorts of financial projections from May or so of last year. Big ones from Milwaukee, Boston, etc... They really made a rookie error projecting all of that...
http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/060606/100278.html
This is the reason they aren't pumping out PR's anymore, and I do appreciate it... Until they can follow-through the market won't take them seriously. The good news is that they really believe they can get this accomplished, though it may be the end of 08, not 07... Let's hope they didn't plan the amount of cash they'd need based on these pie-in-the-sky projections...
All IMO.
That's the way I understand it... I plan to check out the MKE store when it opens, possibly attend the opening if I'm anywhere near Chicago at the time.
I think they said the other MKE store is in Oconomowoc, and they are evaluating a Marquette campus store. Both areas are exceptional in my opionion. The Brady St store also is in a great location... They will do well in my opinion... I wonder if they'll branch into N. illinois? There's a lot of nice suburbs there to target...
I'm hoping $.08 is the base as well, the death by paper cuts gets tiring, we need some buying demand to come in, and the only way that'll happen is executing the model...
Do I see 150K (in 50K increments) in sell ticks at $.07 in that list, or are my eyes glazing over! Breadth looks negative given that list. But... Why would anyone be buying today, no news, no updates, just another day... We'll let them implement their new openings and see how the market reacts to them... For now we linger in a territory that we all hope turns out to be the base. Man, that $.15 from a month or so ago sure looks good right now, it's a 100% move now to get there...
We're starting over as far as the stock goes, folks. This uplisting is becoming more and more key every day. Get the financials done boys! Complete the merger! My god another Quarter has gone by since those promises were made... We should be in the process of uplisting right now!
Good luck. IMO
Well said... Long and strong here since Nov 2005...
I may have posted a lot lately but made my big decisions on this company, for better or worse, long ago. Fortunately for me if this doesn't work out another investment will. I have no sleepless nights :)
But... The company opens themselves up for investors questioning them by having CC's each week. They could just wait for PR's to come out, if they so chose... It's kind of hard to say anyone is bombarding the company, really... Perhaps you know something that I haven't or don't see though, so take it with a grain of salt.
Thanks for the thoughtful post, it's something each of us ought to take into account. I do agree with most of what you said... Hopefully my comments have added some insights to the investment. I travel a ton, and happen to be in town a few days this week, hence my posts. They will gradually become more sporadic and less frequent.
Yeah the paper shuffling was sure annoying. And, the guy who mentioned a $1 stock price promise was really off-course, I'm certain the company never said that - at least I never heard it. It's not legal for them to do that anyway.
The pointed questions are just fine in my book. I too think were privileged to hear each week details on this, but agree bi-weekly is enough. We can't expect this forever. And... If there's nothing new to report, don't have the calls, just IMO.
Bill does a decent job and tries his best, but I think we need Jim one of these weeks to answer some of these other questions we have regarding financials and the like... I also am enthusiastic about the company, but don't have blinders on to the issues. If we don't see some openings and really quick, I will get really worried.
This board is and should be helpful to folks, as there's a diverse amount of opinions here. The board needs to remember there is not an infinite amount of cash to pull this off, so all the excuses in the world, frankly, don't excuse them for delays in opening stores. Once they are cash-flow positive you'll hear less financial concern... Were 173 stores away from that though, according to Bill.
I do not want to be diluted again. The company was put on notice yesterday by a gentleman, and Bill said "understood." I again appreciate whoever said that to him. It should be said each and every CC to drive the point home - it's important. imo
I would agree... Hey, if the product is perceived as better than the competition when this thing reaches more of a critical mass, there is a ton of upside. Remember my comments on folks habit of eating out. If a slowdown economically comes, they aren't going to likely break that habit, but you'll see shops like UPZS get more of the business due to dollars and sense.
These are indeed growing pains. They are allowed these, so long as they don't run out of $$$ prior to figuring all of this out. I would be very dissapointed to hear of another private placement, to be honest. I think their reception would be less than they think.
Every start-up has these issues, and has nervous investors... I think investors can point out their concerns and if the company is smart they'll take it seriously, but in the end they need to run the business as they see fit, and we've all invested based on that premise.
Remember that Jim V is a classic entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs need to surrond themselves with good CFO's, COO's, CTO's, etc... That's how great businesses are built... I think to a large extent UPZS has assembled a rock star mgmt team, but like a sports team, you need good #'s in the Win category to get on espn.
If anyone was looking to get in, it really can't get too much cheaper, and my thoughts are this is as good an entry point as any. Folks would have killed for $.08-$.10 9 months ago. If things work themselves out and a bunch of things click at once (highly possible), you could see another nice run. All IMO.
I will stick around if folks start discussing the issues like you did below. I'm very tired of the rah-rahing on this board. You seem to have a realistic take on it. Bottom line, the company is fumbling the ball on several fronts, including the merger (a lot of the original investors are really getting ancy regarding this), the audited financials (how hard really, could this be? Most companies have to do this every 3 months!), slow permitting (I also know folks who have started franchises with a lot fewer problems).
In the end, it was nice to hear the FC had so many shares on the "open market" (according to Bill V). If anyone thinks they weren't flipping their stock when it rallied last year, in my opinion you haven't been around the market long enough. It's nice that the folks they convinced to buy (and always said, if you buy on the open market, you aren't helping the company - it was said ALL the time) got all restricted shares, and FC apparently had the option to dump at least SOME of their shares.
Anyway, the shares running to $.83/share were pure pump and dump IMO. That being said, even though I personally think $1.00 is some ways off due to the share structure, I do think that $.50 is more than reasonable if they get their act together and get uplisted. It's a good story that the public will invest in. Remember, that's a 5X return from todays level!!
I think they are beginning to feel the pressure, and they should. There are so many lives they can affect positively or negatively. If they can just answer questions straight, I'll give them a lot of rope on start-up delays - they happen! I get the impression Jim V is running around doing what he's doing, and Bill V is running around doing what he's doing, and they are failing to loop back to each other. That's a big problem! If you didn't gather that from this call, you were sleeping.