The spankin’ new arena to host BankTown’s new orange and silver ballers is the capitalist epicenter of the world. The entire concept and business strategy for the space is meticulously thought through. The following observations will all contribute to the Bobcats (financial) success this season.

1. Positioned next to the Charlotte Transportation Center: This is big-time for the fans that can only afford a bus fare and $15 upper deck seats but what the arena is really “banking” on is the new Charlotte Light-Rail yet to be completed. Those tracks will ship in the Pineville peeps who aren’t phased by $7 Miller Lights.

2. Quenching the Charlottean’s thirst for fame: The cameramen make sure to get as many people as possible onto the largest scoreboard screen in the NBA. True, this isn’t a new technique for crowd pleasing, but the thing is none of these people play it cool. They all freak out like they just won a ticket into Bob Johnson’s inner circle. And Mr. Johnson knows that each one of those people are going to tell at least 7 people around the office that “we got on the screen and Crystal was soooo embarrassed” and talk about how much fun the game was….even though the Bobcats lost (which will be the story for a few seasons to come).

3. The hypnotizing corporate ads: Inside the arena, between the upper and lower decks is a 360° digital band that is constantly flooded with motion graphics. It is insanely captivating because the animated ads whirl around seamlessly in a full circle. We’re talkin’ instant brand awareness people…and major revenue for the Cats. Sometimes they use it for the famous “D-picture of a fence” graphic and a nice “Charge!” sequence but, for the most part, the crowd is surrounded with “gottawannaneedagettahavea Bojangles” whizzing past or “COPY>PRINT>FAX = Toshiba “. I found myself locked in on the word FAX and missing Raymond Felton drain a 3. Thanks Toshiba.

The building is pristine, just like the tucked in blue shirts and khakis that fill the space. It is a perfect fit for Charlotte and the Queen City’s growing obsession with consumerism. The games are really fun. You should go.

Poor, Poor Krispy Kreme. They have come upon hard times. But didn’t someone think it was weird that a doughnut company was trading for $60 a share? I mean c’mon. Even Dunkin’ Donuts, the sellers of horrible room temperature doughnuts, figured out you can’t make a living on doughnuts alone…you have to partner with an ice cream company.

There is nothing like a Krispy Kreme doughnut. It is a dream product. Perfection in it’s industry. Many people don’t realize that the Carolina-born treat has evolved into a multi-cultural phenomenon. Over here in the U.S., the once pristine Krispy Kreme brand has been damaged by corporate scandals, and lawsuits from their franchisees. But, overseas, there is a new customer base in the that doesn’t care about any of the internal workings of a company that makes damn good pastries.

The U.K. is a big fan of the neighborhood bread and pastry venue. With places like Greggs and Pret-a-Manger
(now owned by McDonalds) on every corner, Krispy Kreme has the potential to expand as far as Starbucks with the brits.

The interesting thing about the whole Krispy Kreme enterprise overseas is that their doughnuts are perceived as delicacies…a “specialty shop” of sorts. A Krispy Kreme location over there would be like a Godiva Chocolateers or Haggen Daas location over here. High-end Shopping Malls, busy pedestrian centers, etc. Londoners so much more active than Americans they never worry about sitting on their rumps too long and adding another love handle…which is a big reason for the Krispy Kreme U.S. decline. Damn Atkins diet.

I am interested to see how the company progresses in coming years and if the overseas market compensates Krispy Kreme’s stateside shortcomings. The stock is trading at $4.95 at the time of the entry. Click here
to check it now.