Glad to have started a discussion to this thread topic.
The point I was trying to make is that the idea is easily imitated, which is why I think it is so important for Giggles to establish a loyal customer base. Starbucks has lots of competition but it has also cultivated a base that is unwilling to go anywhere else for a coffee fix.
More importantly, I believe there is sufficient market for both companies, even with identical services, to thrive. Sort of like with a gas station -- most people aren't particular to a certain brand, they go where the price is cheapest or the location most convenient.
The risk of competition was just something I saw as being a more pressing concern than debt, which can be paid off, or cash, which can be raised.