McDonalds

[Patman]

@Patman , is it reasonable to assume the powerful return on stocks/equities over the past few decades may come to an end? If so, how should a person utilize their assets to generate wealth?

I’m not the person to ask this question but if I had a few million dollars I would certainly have a great financial advisor who would know that answer

 

[GON]

few million dollars I would certainly have a great financial advisor who would know that answer

I pondered if I won a 500 million after taxes lottery, what would I do to protect the money. Every nation in the world (with maybe the exception of Switzerland) has had wealth removed from its citizens, or likely will have wealth removed from their citizens during this century. Removal or assets can come in many different forms, from nationalization of savings, inflation, or collapse of financial systems. My late FIL/MIL had their home taken from them by the Government in East Germany in the 1950s.

One of many things I would do to protect the wealth is to have multiple financial advisors. There are many examples of very wealthy people losing significant wealth utilizing a single financial advisor. Next, I would have wealth in numerous countries around the globe, to reduce risk from a currency assets collapse, confiscation at a single nation. Another thing I would do (at least in the US) is setup a high percentage of the wealth in a pension plan. This pension plan would pay out half the interest generated every month, with the other half of interest returning/ growing the principal. The key to the pension plan is that both the principal and the payouts are immune from lawsuits/ judgments. One can kill 50 people and lose a 100 billion dollar lawsuit, and the pension principal and monthly payments are still judgment proof.

I think it is reasonable one needs to hold assets to include physical land and businesses as part of a wealth protection/ growth. One only needs to see the run on the fictional building and loan in Its a Wonderful Life to see what a run on the bank looks like. These things do happen. Since the 1990 the USG on a holistic basis as protected the equities market. Will the USG always be able to continue to protect the equities market?

A few high-profile cases of financial advisors who clients got into a pickle:
https://nypost.com/2024/08/01/world...r-vowing-to-award-huge-chunk-to-his-gardener/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bernard-madoff.asp

 

[SC Maintenance]

I pondered if I won a 500 million after taxes lottery, what would I do to protect the money. Every nation in the world (with maybe the exception of Switzerland) has had wealth removed from its citizens, or likely will have wealth removed from their citizens during this century. Removal or assets can come in many different forms, from nationalization of savings, inflation, or collapse of financial systems. My late FIL/MIL had their home taken from them by the Government in East Germany in the 1950s.

One of many things I would do to protect the wealth is to have multiple financial advisors. There are many examples of very wealthy people losing significant wealth utilizing a single financial advisor. Next, I would have wealth in numerous countries around the globe, to reduce risk from a currency assets collapse, confiscation at a single nation. Another thing I would do (at least in the US) is setup a high percentage of the wealth in a pension plan. This pension plan would pay out half the interest generated every month, with the other half of interest returning/ growing the principal. The key to the pension plan is that both the principal and the payouts are immune from lawsuits/ judgments. One can kill 50 people and lose a 100 billion dollar lawsuit, and the pension principal and monthly payments are still judgment proof.

I think it is reasonable one needs to hold assets to include physical land and businesses as part of a wealth protection/ growth. One only needs to see the run on the fictional building and loan in Its a Wonderful Life to see what a run on the bank looks like. These things do happen. Since the 1990 the USG on a holistic basis as protected the equities market. Will the USG always be able to continue to protect the equities market?

A few high-profile cases of financial advisors who clients got into a pickle:
https://nypost.com/2024/08/01/world...r-vowing-to-award-huge-chunk-to-his-gardener/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bernard-madoff.asp

With $500M you could do that.

With $5M, you could do some. There are lots of rules and laws about owning foreign assets. A swiss bank account could be handy, but they don't pay much interest. My family owns farmland. Is not the utopia people think it is. Taxes and land management costs kill you, unless you want to farm it yourself.

As for your original question, what should someone do with their amassed wealth. They should do whatever they want. If this person wants to open a McDonalds - then good for them, go do it. Personally I would rather put the money in a Agency backed bond that are paying 6.5% on 5 to 7 years, then go find something less capital intensive to do. But to each his own.

 

[Al]

I have noticed (especially in Florida) that older people like to gather in McDonald’s for breakfast in large groups. I think it’s pretty cool actually, and they aren’t likely to cause any serious disturbances (unless they start yelling at the clouds)

Thats standard everywhere Patman.

 

[y_p_w]

I just noticed a new bill/coin acceptor next to the self-service kiosks at a local McDonald's. Not sure exactly how it works (only one coin slot and one bill acceptor), but they arranged all four of them (both sides) around it. I remember it could be difficult to pay cash when there was someone actually ordering in line and they were short on employees. They'd played around with different locations before. But it's only one with four total kiosk sides. Reminds me of how ARCO stations used to have cash acceptors at the islands, but one had to get change inside. But these McDonald's machines did give out change like a supermarket self-checkout. Found several photos, but this is not from the same location although the equipment seems to be the same kind that I saw.

Found some video:

 

[Al]

Interesting. People using the kiosk probably won't be paying cash. And those paying cash won't use the kiosk

 

[y_p_w]

Interesting. People using the kiosk probably won't be paying cash. And those paying cash won't use the kiosk

I pay cash. But I don't like ordering in person because I've gotten orders wrong and I'll throw in a bunch of condiments where they look at me funny if I ask for them at the counter. And I don't think they typically will allow ordering of condiments at a cashier.

 

[alarmguy]

She is young, not ready or wanting to retire.
Wishes to have her own business, and not just work to make others rich. If she wants a McDonald's I support her decision, and if she decides to keep it 2 years, or 22 years, that is her choice. The business I bought cost way more than any restaurant she would build. She supported me 100% and still does.
If she chose to stay home and not work, or do something from home, I would also support that. But she is high energy, and not lazy at all, and wants her own business.
She has talked about McDonald's the most, but also possibly a Popeye's, or KFC. She went up to visit her cousin for a week, and hang out with him, and see how he runs his McDonald's. She feels confident that she can run her own just fine, after spending a week shadowing him. My wife is one of the smartest, and hardest working people I've ever met. There is 0 doubt in my mind that she would be successful in whatever she decides to do.
Right now she is working for crap money, to help her best friend, who opened her own business last year.

Chick Fil A franchise is almost turnkey

 

[TimeFlies]

Chick Fil A franchise is almost turnkey

There are 0 for a very very long way, so it would be a logistical nightmare to get them to deliver. McDonald's are all over, their fleet of trucks is huge, and super easy to get a shipment.

 

[CKN]

You know who has the worst fries? In-n-out! Just nasty! Everything else there is great though

In-N-Out has dried sticks for fries!

 

[Zee09]

I had a weird McDonald's drive-thru experience this morning. I ordered a large tea only and went to the pickup window and a young girl handed me the tea and straw... 5 second hand over.

She gassed out my hand the straw and the drink with this potent sweet leather smelling perfume. It ruined the drink as it smelled like the perfume and she must have bathed in it. Absolutely gross and I can't get the smell off my hand.

No exaggeration at all...crazy....
I can't imagine working next to her..