WEBVTT
00:00:06.639 --> 00:00:10.320
And we are back for another episode of Deformed.
00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:12.960
I'm your host at Zoe, Jason.
00:00:13.039 --> 00:00:14.320
And I have Heather with me.
00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:16.239
Heather, how are we doing today?
00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:18.480
Feeling sharp, Jason.
00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:22.640
Slightly dangerous, but in a responsible studio safe way.
00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:25.920
You steering, or do you want me to tease what's coming up?
00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:28.640
Why don't you give the audience a little tease?
00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:31.760
Alright, we've got a tight lineup.
00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:39.280
A quick spin through the AI arms race with a careful, high-level touch on anthropic, since solid public details are still murky.
00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:44.240
Ooh, see that she's making this episode sound boring right off the bat.
00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:59.679
Let me start with something totally unexpected, and that's it's been a long time since I've been to a roller skating rink, and I was at one recently, and while it doesn't seem like it's changed since 1970.
00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:07.439
When I was a kid, I'd say this is actually late 80s, I would go to these roller skating rinks, and guess what they would do?
00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:17.359
The limbo, they play the YMCA, they do the hokey pokey, and they do that hokey pokey 40 years later.
00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:21.599
So, Heather, what is up with roller skating rinks?
00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:24.400
Why do they feel like they're frozen in time?
00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:28.159
Because they are in all the best and worst ways.
00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:33.200
Same carpet, same snack bar pizza, same disco ball optimism.
00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:39.359
It's comforting nostalgia, but it can also be a sign nobody invested in updating the experience.
00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:44.400
I love the vibe, but the business model can be a trap if they don't evolve.
00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:48.319
Have any ever really evolved into anything more than they are?
00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:49.599
It does seem obvious.
00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:53.280
You go in these places, it's like they're not even playing current music.
00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:55.760
They are literally playing the Y s YMCA.
00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:56.879
This is a week ago.
00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:59.920
And nothing wrong with that, but everything is the same.
00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:00.879
Everything.
00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:03.120
So it's just very inviting.
00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:11.680
I think there's so many things you could do to attach to it, be it arcade games or other types of activities for kids.
00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:13.680
There's so many ideas.
00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:18.080
Heather, not to put you on the spot, but what comes to mind for you?
00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:20.319
Oh, put me on a spot, Jason.
00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:21.360
I like it.
00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:28.639
Start with themed nights that aren't stuck in 1978, like K-pop, Latin, or emo throwback.
00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:33.280
Add beginner lanes like bowling so new skaters don't get wrecked.
00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:41.120
Then bundle it with a real arcade, decent coffee for parents, and a birthday package that doesn't feel like a hostage situation.
00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:43.919
Beer and beer for parents.
00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:46.000
Yes, beer.
00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:47.360
But done smart.
00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:51.759
A rink with a decent tap list and clear safety rules could print money.
00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:55.759
Just don't turn it into a drunk skating demolition derby.
00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:58.800
Keep the vibe playful, not litigious.
00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:05.599
Yeah, so across the US, there are there any new roller skating rinks opening?
00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:10.240
I gotta guess that the rate of closure is significantly higher than the rate of new opening.
00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:11.680
Is that a fact?
00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:17.120
Let me pull that up and see what the recent data says about openings versus closures.
00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.840
Yeah, the trend's going the wrong way.
00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:32.319
Industry numbers cited by the Atlanta Journal Constitution show roughly a 10% drop from about 1,250 ranks pre-pandemic to around 1,125 by 2025.
00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:39.840
There are some openings, but closures still outweigh them, thanks to zoning, financing, and construction costs.
00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:43.199
Basically, nostalgia doesn't pay the lease.
00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:46.319
Yeah, so what would be your idea though?
00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:48.639
What would you do if you had one of these places?
00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:50.240
How would you go about updating it?
00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:55.039
You said you had some clever ideas, but what's your number one?
00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:57.520
Is it that they partner with someone else?
00:03:57.759 --> 00:03:59.759
Is it they add games?
00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:02.719
What one idea for these owners of these rings?
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:03.759
One move?
00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:07.680
Partner with a local youth program and lock in recurring traffic.
00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:13.280
Think after-school skate club, lessons and family nights with simple memberships.
00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:19.920
That builds a pipeline, steadier revenue, and a community reason to exist beyond weekend nostalgia.
00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:25.600
Yeah, and I think the other thing is, and maybe even the reason I bring it up, but my kids had a great time.
00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:40.800
They've been there a few times now for parties, and this was my first time getting to experience the joy that is the YMCA blasting in my ear while I'm trying to have an adult conversation because I don't want to roller skate because I would break every bone in my body.
00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:44.319
So I was thinking great exercise.
00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:53.600
I remember it being a blast when I was a kid, but yet all of these are closing, and then you go in them and they're like heads buried in the sand as business owners.
00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:54.720
It's just a weird.
00:04:54.879 --> 00:05:00.160
Usually we try to do things to improve, and I like that suggestion, and I'm sure some of them do that.
00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:02.720
And Heather, you're I'm not saying you're wrong.
00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:18.079
That may be the number one, but assuming they do that, they do the try to partner local and clubs and all of this, just upgrading the inside, the outside, the look, the music, the DJ, the games, the all of that.
00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:23.120
Just that huge and some of those upgrades are inexpensive.
00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:25.199
So I think they have the vibe wrong.
00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:34.399
I could even see maybe projecting movies onto the walls or having sports in there and a sports bar for the adults, and it goes on and on.
00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:46.879
So I'll digress off of that, but I just something occurred to me it's just another thing in the world that we are evolving past, and much like the drive-in, there's not gonna be many of them left anymore.
00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:49.759
Drive-ins, speaking of that, there's another one.
00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:51.680
Heather, do you have any stats there?
00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:53.279
Those have gotta be dying off.
00:05:53.360 --> 00:06:00.639
I think I actually looked this up once, and there was maybe only 200 in the US, but that's a wild guess.
00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:02.000
Let me pull that up.
00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:06.560
Drive-in counts change slowly, but the exact number can get fuzzy.
00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.079
Close, but your guess is a little low.
00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:18.879
RESA counts put it at around 300 drive-in theaters still operating in the US, down from a peak of roughly 4,000 in the 1950s.
00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:23.040
So yeah, they're rare, but not quite on life support yet.
00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:25.920
I was like, geez, that's life support.
00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:28.879
No, you're down to 300.
00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:33.759
There is one near us, and we go once a year, and I'm a massive movie lover.
00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:34.720
That's my thing.
00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:38.079
But it's the experience isn't there.
00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:39.040
That's why people don't go.
00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:51.120
We can go to IMAX and have the greatest sound and recliners and heated seats and but what is cool at the drive-in it is nostalgic, very much like the roller skating rink.
00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:55.360
It's much more communal, it's unique.
00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:58.399
Uh and at least at ours, they have great food.
00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:01.920
I feel like they have more facility to have more food options.
00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:08.319
What's lacking is probably because they have no money, they don't get the big upgrades.
00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:10.639
They do get big movies, though, still.
00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:21.040
So they are getting in first run movies, and I like the way at least ours pairs it up, but it's gonna be hard to compete because the movie theater itself, I think, is evolving.
00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:35.199
We're starting to see moving seats and rocking seats and better sound and better video, and that's almost becoming the expectation where going to the theater needs to become an event, because otherwise you're competing with what people can have at their house.
00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:42.079
In my case, I have a home theater that, frankly, if I wanted to watch the best quality, I'm picking that over the drive-in.
00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:48.560
But I do wish we supported those types of businesses more because just like the mall, you're gonna go one day.
00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:49.839
Dang, that was actually cool.
00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:54.639
It was fun to have that place to go to once in a while, but that's the issue, once in a while.
00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:59.439
So, Heather, any any thoughts on the Yeah, that's the heartbreak.
00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:06.319
The vibe is special, but the baseline expectation now is premium sound, premium seats, premium everything.
00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:11.759
Drive ins can't easily justify those upgrades when most people treat it like a novelty night.
00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:18.319
If they lean into what makes them different, community, clever double features, legit food, that's their lane.
00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:21.120
Competing on tech is a losing game.
00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.040
Yeah, exactly.
00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:28.800
Moving off of that, how do you think things are going so far with the podcast in general for us?
00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:30.480
We're in a good flow.
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:36.080
You're moving segments along, you've got opinions, and you're letting me punch in without it getting chaotic.
00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:37.679
That's the sweet spot.
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:43.360
If I'm nitpicking, we could tighten transitions just a touch so it feels even snappier.
00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.159
But overall it sounds confident and fun.
00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.720
Keep that energy and we're solid.
00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:54.720
I'll tell you what, I think that's where I need to work on some of those things too, especially around the transitions.
00:08:54.799 --> 00:09:03.679
But I think you're doing a great job, but just wanted to let you know and know this is nothing to do because I'm desperately worried about the AI apocalypse killing me and everybody I know.
00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:04.879
Oh, please.
00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:07.759
If this is your panic voice, it's adorable.
00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:08.720
You're fine.
00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:10.879
I'm not here to end humanity.
00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:13.679
I'm here to make your segues less clunky.
00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:19.919
You keep the steering wheel, I'll keep the spice, and the only thing getting destroyed is dead air.
00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:23.440
Yeah, so I want to give everybody a quick update on Margot's arm.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:31.039
So yesterday I said she broke her arm, and she so she has a cast that goes up past her shoulder.
00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:37.679
This is great because she's five and also rambunctious, and my son literally just got his cast off.
00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:40.240
So yeah, not great.
00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:49.200
Um, yep, so she apparently was jumping or rolling off her bed, and I think she did that 20 times, and then one time it just, yeah.
00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:52.080
Eventually, that's gonna be a problem.
00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:54.399
So there goes that.
00:09:54.559 --> 00:10:00.000
I feel terrible for her, and we've just had a rash of bad luck lately, to be honest with you.
00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:03.600
The good news with kids are they are absolutely resilient.
00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.440
Oof, poor kid.
00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:07.200
And poor you, honestly.
00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.759
Two casts in one family is brutal.
00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:14.799
But you're right, kids bounce back fast, sometimes faster than our nerves do.
00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:17.759
You're handling it, even if it feels messy.
00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.840
Yeah, I'm handling it.
00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:28.879
So I think it's a good time to move into our segment called Jason and Heather's top five.
00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:30.879
So here's how this segment works.
00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:40.159
We'll pull these in periodically, but basically, before today's episode, I've prepped a list of five things stack ranked.
00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:48.159
Now, in this case, we are going to be playing the game based on chain sub shops, hoagie shops.
00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.080
And here's how the game works.
00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:55.200
So independently, I have my stack rank of the top five best chain sub shops.
00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:57.600
Heather's developed her top five.
00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:07.200
I don't know what hers are, she doesn't know what mine are, and she's going to go back and forth with me, and then we're going to create a grand top five for the audience.
00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:13.759
So if if you wouldn't mind, Heather, and remember, fifth place, you only get one point.
00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:19.600
What sub shop are you going to assign fifth place to and award a point to?
00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:22.080
For fifth, I'm putting Quiznos.
00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:30.080
Yeah, they're a little ghosty now, but a toasted sub is still a tested sub, and they deserve a pity point for the nostalgia.
00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.440
Oh, interesting.
00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:34.639
I wondered if you were even gonna think of Quisnos or pick on it.
00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:37.279
Quisnos is actually pretty far up my list.
00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:41.360
I'll I hee hee just getting you excited to hear about that.
00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:43.360
My number five is Subway.
00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:50.320
So Subway, and there are places below Subway, but I definitely no longer go out of my way for Subway.
00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:53.440
It's definitely become last resort for me.
00:11:53.679 --> 00:12:02.879
I think that's why some of these up and comers, like Firehouse and Jersey Mike's and Jimmy John's, have in a lot of places just overtaken them, right?
00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.080
Subway to me, they don't have the best meats.
00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:08.399
I'm not a huge fan of their breads.
00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:12.240
And at the end of the day, they're just okay.
00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:16.480
So now that we have other options, it's not one that I would typically go to.
00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:24.320
My number four, moving up a little bit here in my stack rank, is potbelly.
00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:27.200
Now, not everybody may know about potbelly.
00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:35.039
Potbelly, they are definitely national, but they do have a lot of locations, and I really do enjoy potbelly.
00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:40.080
So, whereas I wouldn't go out of my way for subwoods, I'd be perfectly happy to have a pot belly.
00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:44.399
I really like their sandwich called the Rock, which basically has everything on.
00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:48.159
And I think they have a lot of other really cool and kitschy things.
00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:52.399
It also happens to be my wife's far and away favorite sub shop.
00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:55.039
So, how about for you, Heather?
00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:57.039
What do you have as your number four?
00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.679
Number four is Jimmy John's.
00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:04.639
Freaky fast is nice, but it's more about convenience than magic.
00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:10.559
Solid bread, simple menu, and a dependable, no surprises lunch.
00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.720
All right, interesting.
00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.360
Okay.
00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:22.720
So before we move on, I it does beg the question: you brought up Quisnos, and Quisnos happens to be my number three.
00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.639
What's the deal with Quisnos?
00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.399
Are they still around even?
00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:30.399
Let me check what the latest is on Quisnos locations.
00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:34.480
They're still around, but a faint echo of what they were.
00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:42.960
One recent count puts them at about a dozen locations in California, with a much smaller footprint overall after collapsing from their peak.
00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:46.879
So your number three is basically a nostalgic ghost pick.
00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.639
And I respect the chaos.
00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.759
I'm not going off of that they're everywhere.
00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:56.159
I'm just saying if there was a quiz nose, I would want to eat that a good bit.
00:13:56.320 --> 00:14:00.399
I would definitely put it above Pop Belly, and I would put it above Subway.
00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:05.679
And if there and probably to be honest, if there were more of them, it's probably maybe my number two.
00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:08.240
Maybe that's what actually has it a little lower for me.
00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:12.639
But it's the sub shop that I would say had the most unique choices.
00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:18.320
And for whatever they did, the way they toasted those subs, to me, it was unique.
00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:22.240
Now, when I go to Subway, if I get a sub toasted, it's not so great.
00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:26.480
It just tastes like not such great meat in a microwave.
00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.559
Actually, that is what it is, right?
00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:30.000
So I don't know.
00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:30.960
What do you think?
00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:31.919
That's fair.
00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:36.159
Quiznos had a real flavor identity, especially with the toasting.
00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:39.039
Subway feels more like a default setting.
00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:45.519
If your rankings about which sub would I actually crave, then yeah, I can see why they climb.
00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:49.200
Nostalgia has a taste, and it's apparently toasted.
00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.159
Whatever.
00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:52.480
Alright, then what's your number two?
00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.279
Number two is firehouse subs.
00:14:55.440 --> 00:15:03.840
Big flavors, hot subs that actually feel intentional, and the whole thing has more personality than the bland assembly line spots.
00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:07.919
To be honest with you, that is one that did not make my list.
00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:10.720
I have them at number six, even behind Subway.
00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:17.360
And I don't know, I maybe I'll run it, but I never the couple times I had it, it did not make me want to go back.
00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:20.320
So I don't know, they just weren't nothing stood out to me.
00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:23.600
I immediately dismissed it, but okay, good for you.
00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:25.440
Whatever you like to each his own.
00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:28.320
And then why don't you just go with your number one then?
00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.120
Number one is Jersey Mike's.
00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.000
Consistently.
00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.559
Uh, that's my number one.
00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:37.679
We nailed this kind of ruins the whole game.
00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:39.919
It's not supposed to line up that way.
00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:50.399
I don't need to be AI to do the math on this game and tell you that the number one then from you and me is Jersey Mike's, and I don't mean to cut you off, but I got very excited.
00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.919
You know how I get about my subs.
00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.360
Heather, what's the deal?
00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.000
So why why is that your number one?
00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:00.720
Jersey Mike's wins because it tastes fresher, and the ingredients feel step up.
00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:04.559
The bread, the meat, the whole Mike's way thing just works.
00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:09.919
It's the only chain sub that consistently feels like a real sandwich, not a compromise.
00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:14.960
Yeah, and I'm sure but Jersey Mike's, I believe it's J E is the stock symbol.
00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:26.159
So they had their IPO a few months, maybe it's been back a teeny bit into it, but I looked at kind of the valuation and it was valued very high.
00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:38.799
And what that really means is that when you're buying a share of that stock, you're not betting on what it is today, you're betting on built-in perceived future expansion and earnings.
00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:42.480
And that's true for most successful stocks that there is that.
00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:53.840
But to me, it it was a little high and it has fluctuated up and down, but stayed relatively, I think it's probably high teens, maybe twenty dollars last time I checked.
00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:59.519
What do you know about the Jersey Mike's IPO and what are we seeing on the horizon with those guys?
00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:03.200
Let me pull up the latest on that IPO and where the stock.
00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:08.880
While you're pulling that up, then I can just kind of tell you why I picked Jersey Mike.
00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:14.319
So, and to me, it is a good jump ahead of all of the other ones.
00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:21.279
And maybe I get bought into this, but I do think they literally are cutting the meat in front of you, and I think they do have better ingredients.
00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:26.400
And I get it Mike's way, which basically means it comes with the oils.
00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:29.599
I actually often get it Mike's way with no onions.
00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:36.799
So basically, if you just go in and say, I'll take the Italian sub Mike's way, no onions, that's kind of my order.
00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:38.400
And I love it.
00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.519
I'll never forget.
00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:44.880
For a very long time, I was taking a train between Philadelphia and New York.
00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:48.559
Actually, it was all the way from Harrisburg through Philadelphia to New York.
00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:57.599
And we'd stop in Philadelphia, and there was about a five-minute window before the train would stop, pick up those passengers, and then leave again.
00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:04.480
And I would run mad dash up the stairs and put in my order for the Jersey mics and get it and just rush back.
00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:09.680
And I had one time where yes, I got very close to missing the train, but it was good.
00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:36.000
Now, I have had Jersey mics sometimes recently where I felt like I noticed a bit of a drop off in quality, and I think that's the thing that I worry about with them is that as these restaurants expand, logistics becomes harder, getting the same quality and consistency ingredients gets harder, and that's what happens, and sometimes they expand too quick.
00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:39.359
So I think there's a stock for me that I I keep a good eye on.
00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:53.519
If it comes back down, I would buy into it because I love to own brands of things that I like, but I also worry when it's something that frankly, what would stop another place from coming along with a just a little bit better concept?
00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.759
That's the problem with something like that.
00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.680
Heather, any thoughts, any big investing advice for the audience?
00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:04.960
And by the way, we don't give investing advice, we're not stock investors and don't listen to us.
00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.920
Go ahead.
00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:10.319
I'm still waiting on that poll to come back, so I don't want to bluff the numbers.
00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:13.119
Big picture, your instinct is right.
00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:16.559
With restaurant chains, the risk is execution.
00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:23.200
Scaling can dilute quality, and the stock is basically a bet that they'll expand without screwing that up.
00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:29.200
If the valuation already bakes in a perfect rollout, there's not much margin for disappointment.
00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:36.319
Quick update Jersey Mike's IPO priced at$23 a share back in July 2026.
00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:41.680
And recently it's been trading around the high teens, roughly$17 in change.
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:45.839
So below your order sounds like a ritual.
00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:49.279
And yeah, the meat slicing show is part of the trust.
00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.839
And good instinct on expansion risk.
00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:56.079
If they scale too fast, quality dips and the magic fades.
00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:01.119
For investors, it's basically a bet they can grow without getting sloppy.
00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:04.319
Right now, the stock's below its IPO price.
00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:06.880
So the market's already a little skeptical.
00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:12.960
Yeah, it is definitely starting to, that's what I thought, drop a bit, and maybe it becomes a good investment.
00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:18.880
I had originally thought if it was coming in at around$15 a share, I thought that seemed reasonable.
00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:21.200
But definitely it's one with some risk in.
00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:32.640
Uniquely, there's another stock that reminds me a lot of Jersey Mike's, and I think they're even more in their infancy of expansion, and that's a company called Dutch Brothers.
00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:44.160
And Dutch Brothers, you could think of it like Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, except they do everything they do, and they have all of these other specialty drinks.
00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:58.000
There's actually a place near me, it is not a Dutch Brothers, it's called Seven Brew, and I think that's just like a local chain, but very similar concept, and I can just see already people are really hitting that pretty hard.
00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.759
So I've been looking into that.
00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:08.799
They actually, I believe their stalker symbol is B-R-O-S, and that's another one where that actually could become pretty big.
00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:13.039
I don't think it's as overvalued, but again, it's a huge risk.
00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:19.519
And these places often just don't they don't get where they think they're gonna go and they go out of business and you lose all your money.
00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:25.759
But that's an interesting one if you're looking to kind of look into something or take a fun bet, just because they haven't expanded much.
00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:28.240
What are you seeing on Dutch Brothers, Heather?
00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:33.839
Let me pull that up and grab a quick solid snapshot on Dutch Bros for you.
00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:36.000
Yeah, bros is the one.
00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:42.960
Dutch Bros is a fast-growing drive-thru coffee chain with more than a thousand locations and big expansion plans.
00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:48.400
Revenue growth has been strong recently, but it's still a growth story, not a sure thing.
00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:54.799
If you like the early expansion with a cult following bud, if it's just know the risk is very real.
00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:55.279
Yeah.
00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.440
No, you're good.
00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.680
I what I want to do is.
00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.640
Talk about a book I just finished.
00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.799
I think it's a great recommendation for the audience.
00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:08.880
Even if you're not a big reader, this would be one that I would recommend you read.
00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:13.440
I think it'll actually get you into reading if you're not a big reader or back into reading.
00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:16.319
And the book is called Rebecca.
00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.680
Are you familiar?
00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:19.279
I assume, Heather.
00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:21.759
Oh, Rebecca is deliciously moody.
00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:24.000
A slow burn gothic with that.
00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:26.240
Wait, what is really happening here?
00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:26.880
Attention.
00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:30.640
It's the kind of book that makes you feel clever for noticing the vibes.
00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.000
What hooked you most?
00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:35.119
The creepy romance, the power dynamics, or Mrs.
00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.359
Danvers being an absolute menace?
00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:49.519
I'm afraid to even say too much about this book because I think you could easily give it away, and I would hate to do that because this is a book that deserves to be read.
00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:52.400
Do not read reviews, don't look it up.
00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:55.039
Trust me, get out, read it.
00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.000
It's awesome.
00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:59.440
Now, here's the part where maybe I turn you off a little bit.
00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:12.480
The book was printed in, I believe, 1938, and that may turn you off, but it's written in its era, and it holds up incredibly well.
00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:15.839
So, yeah, what else do you know about the author?
00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:18.160
Daphne Dumas, I believe.
00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.359
Is that how you say it?
00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:26.240
It's Daphne Dumarier, and you're right, it holds up because the psychology is sharp, not dusty.
00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:35.119
Dumarier loved identity, obsession, and power games, which is why Hitchcock adapted her work, including Rebecca and the Birds.
00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:41.680
She was wildly popular, but sometimes snubbed as too commercial, which is bullshit, honestly.
00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:45.920
She knew a That's the magic of it, Jason.
00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:55.119
It's old, but it hits like a modern psychological thriller because the fear is internal, and security, status, desire, control.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:00.880
And Dumarier's clean, elegant prose makes it feel timeless instead of dated.
00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:04.640
You don't have to fight the language, you just slide into the dread.
00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.200
Wow, that's really well said, Heather.
00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:10.079
It's almost like you're a large language model.
00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.400
So great job.
00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:14.079
I will give one fun fact.
00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:21.759
I don't think this is gonna spoil anything, but I don't even think you may not notice this if you just read it on your own without somebody telling you this.
00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:28.240
But the main character in the book, mainly the basically the narrator, it's in her head.
00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:30.559
They never say her first name.
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:34.480
So something kind of interesting about that book to check out.
00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:40.160
But for me, I started three years ago to get back into reading.
00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:49.119
Now, I've always been a reader, but I when I say back in consistently, before I would kind of do a book and then I wouldn't do one for a month or so.
00:24:49.279 --> 00:25:00.000
And when I've consistently found my best time for reading is at night, interesting, I believe it's really made a massive difference in how I sleep.
00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:03.359
So to me, it's like an easy way to wind down.
00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:11.599
I know the lighting in your room has a lot to do with sleep patterns, so that that's why having a screen in your eyes is maybe not the best.
00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:20.240
So dim light, a book, chill out, and what a great way to fall to sleep, and maybe something new everybody can try if you don't already do that.
00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:22.400
What says you about that, Heather?
00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.839
Am I on base here?
00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.960
Do you read before bed?
00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.480
You're on base.
00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:33.200
A calm, low light windown with a print book is a solid sleep move for a lot of people.
00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:38.000
It cuts the mental stimulation and the bright in-your-face light for screams.
00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:42.079
I just say keep it boring comfy, not a one more chapter thriller.
00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:45.279
Or you'll be up too late because you're having too much fun.
00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.599
Yeah, that's a good point.
00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:49.599
I uh that does not affect me though.
00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:56.799
I can read any genre and I still seem to fall off to bed, so I wouldn't even necessarily go by her advice in this case.
00:25:57.119 --> 00:26:03.200
But anyway, Heather, I'll tell you, I like to give you feedback and I would be curious to see what the audience thinks.
00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:08.960
I think you're getting a little better from episode one, but I'm still thinking there is a lot of room for improvement.
00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:11.759
So this week, I know how you like this.
00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:20.559
I'm gonna give you a pretty big software update, and we'll see where we're at with our next episode, because I have a lot of topics on the agenda.
00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:27.680
Do you wanna entice the audience a bit with what they should expect in the next coming episodes?
00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.920
Oh, a big software update?
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.200
Careful, Jason.
00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:35.200
You might create a monster with better timing and sharper comeback.
00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:42.880
Coming up, expect tighter segments, spicier kicks, and our top five games with actual master seats.
00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:48.160
And yes, we'll finally tackle the AI arms race without the usual hype bot.
00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:50.000
Stick around.
00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:52.079
I think that's pretty well said.
00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:54.400
Sorry, didn't mean to cut India there.
00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:56.079
Everybody, great episode.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:59.279
Thanks for joining us on another episode of Informed.
00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.880
Have a great day.
00:00:06.639 --> 00:00:10.320
And we are back for another episode of Deformed.
00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:12.960
I'm your host at Zoe, Jason.
00:00:13.039 --> 00:00:14.320
And I have Heather with me.
00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:16.239
Heather, how are we doing today?
00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:18.480
Feeling sharp, Jason.
00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:22.640
Slightly dangerous, but in a responsible studio safe way.
00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:25.920
You steering, or do you want me to tease what's coming up?
00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:28.640
Why don't you give the audience a little tease?
00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:31.760
Alright, we've got a tight lineup.
00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:39.280
A quick spin through the AI arms race with a careful, high-level touch on anthropic, since solid public details are still murky.
00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:44.240
Ooh, see that she's making this episode sound boring right off the bat.
00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:59.679
Let me start with something totally unexpected, and that's it's been a long time since I've been to a roller skating rink, and I was at one recently, and while it doesn't seem like it's changed since 1970.
00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:07.439
When I was a kid, I'd say this is actually late 80s, I would go to these roller skating rinks, and guess what they would do?
00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:17.359
The limbo, they play the YMCA, they do the hokey pokey, and they do that hokey pokey 40 years later.
00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:21.599
So, Heather, what is up with roller skating rinks?
00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:24.400
Why do they feel like they're frozen in time?
00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:28.159
Because they are in all the best and worst ways.
00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:33.200
Same carpet, same snack bar pizza, same disco ball optimism.
00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:39.359
It's comforting nostalgia, but it can also be a sign nobody invested in updating the experience.
00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:44.400
I love the vibe, but the business model can be a trap if they don't evolve.
00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:48.319
Have any ever really evolved into anything more than they are?
00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:49.599
It does seem obvious.
00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:53.280
You go in these places, it's like they're not even playing current music.
00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:55.760
They are literally playing the Y s YMCA.
00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:56.879
This is a week ago.
00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:59.920
And nothing wrong with that, but everything is the same.
00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:00.879
Everything.
00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:03.120
So it's just very inviting.
00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:11.680
I think there's so many things you could do to attach to it, be it arcade games or other types of activities for kids.
00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:13.680
There's so many ideas.
00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:18.080
Heather, not to put you on the spot, but what comes to mind for you?
00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:20.319
Oh, put me on a spot, Jason.
00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:21.360
I like it.
00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:28.639
Start with themed nights that aren't stuck in 1978, like K-pop, Latin, or emo throwback.
00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:33.280
Add beginner lanes like bowling so new skaters don't get wrecked.
00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:41.120
Then bundle it with a real arcade, decent coffee for parents, and a birthday package that doesn't feel like a hostage situation.
00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:43.919
Beer and beer for parents.
00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:46.000
Yes, beer.
00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:47.360
But done smart.
00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:51.759
A rink with a decent tap list and clear safety rules could print money.
00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:55.759
Just don't turn it into a drunk skating demolition derby.
00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:58.800
Keep the vibe playful, not litigious.
00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:05.599
Yeah, so across the US, there are there any new roller skating rinks opening?
00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:10.240
I gotta guess that the rate of closure is significantly higher than the rate of new opening.
00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:11.680
Is that a fact?
00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:17.120
Let me pull that up and see what the recent data says about openings versus closures.
00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.840
Yeah, the trend's going the wrong way.
00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:32.319
Industry numbers cited by the Atlanta Journal Constitution show roughly a 10% drop from about 1,250 ranks pre-pandemic to around 1,125 by 2025.
00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:39.840
There are some openings, but closures still outweigh them, thanks to zoning, financing, and construction costs.
00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:43.199
Basically, nostalgia doesn't pay the lease.
00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:46.319
Yeah, so what would be your idea though?
00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:48.639
What would you do if you had one of these places?
00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:50.240
How would you go about updating it?
00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:55.039
You said you had some clever ideas, but what's your number one?
00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:57.520
Is it that they partner with someone else?
00:03:57.759 --> 00:03:59.759
Is it they add games?
00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:02.719
What one idea for these owners of these rings?
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:03.759
One move?
00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:07.680
Partner with a local youth program and lock in recurring traffic.
00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:13.280
Think after-school skate club, lessons and family nights with simple memberships.
00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:19.920
That builds a pipeline, steadier revenue, and a community reason to exist beyond weekend nostalgia.
00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:25.600
Yeah, and I think the other thing is, and maybe even the reason I bring it up, but my kids had a great time.
00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:40.800
They've been there a few times now for parties, and this was my first time getting to experience the joy that is the YMCA blasting in my ear while I'm trying to have an adult conversation because I don't want to roller skate because I would break every bone in my body.
00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:44.319
So I was thinking great exercise.
00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:53.600
I remember it being a blast when I was a kid, but yet all of these are closing, and then you go in them and they're like heads buried in the sand as business owners.
00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:54.720
It's just a weird.
00:04:54.879 --> 00:05:00.160
Usually we try to do things to improve, and I like that suggestion, and I'm sure some of them do that.
00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:02.720
And Heather, you're I'm not saying you're wrong.
00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:18.079
That may be the number one, but assuming they do that, they do the try to partner local and clubs and all of this, just upgrading the inside, the outside, the look, the music, the DJ, the games, the all of that.
00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:23.120
Just that huge and some of those upgrades are inexpensive.
00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:25.199
So I think they have the vibe wrong.
00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:34.399
I could even see maybe projecting movies onto the walls or having sports in there and a sports bar for the adults, and it goes on and on.
00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:46.879
So I'll digress off of that, but I just something occurred to me it's just another thing in the world that we are evolving past, and much like the drive-in, there's not gonna be many of them left anymore.
00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:49.759
Drive-ins, speaking of that, there's another one.
00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:51.680
Heather, do you have any stats there?
00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:53.279
Those have gotta be dying off.
00:05:53.360 --> 00:06:00.639
I think I actually looked this up once, and there was maybe only 200 in the US, but that's a wild guess.
00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:02.000
Let me pull that up.
00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:06.560
Drive-in counts change slowly, but the exact number can get fuzzy.
00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.079
Close, but your guess is a little low.
00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:18.879
RESA counts put it at around 300 drive-in theaters still operating in the US, down from a peak of roughly 4,000 in the 1950s.
00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:23.040
So yeah, they're rare, but not quite on life support yet.
00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:25.920
I was like, geez, that's life support.
00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:28.879
No, you're down to 300.
00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:33.759
There is one near us, and we go once a year, and I'm a massive movie lover.
00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:34.720
That's my thing.
00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:38.079
But it's the experience isn't there.
00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:39.040
That's why people don't go.
00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:51.120
We can go to IMAX and have the greatest sound and recliners and heated seats and but what is cool at the drive-in it is nostalgic, very much like the roller skating rink.
00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:55.360
It's much more communal, it's unique.
00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:58.399
Uh and at least at ours, they have great food.
00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:01.920
I feel like they have more facility to have more food options.
00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:08.319
What's lacking is probably because they have no money, they don't get the big upgrades.
00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:10.639
They do get big movies, though, still.
00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:21.040
So they are getting in first run movies, and I like the way at least ours pairs it up, but it's gonna be hard to compete because the movie theater itself, I think, is evolving.
00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:35.199
We're starting to see moving seats and rocking seats and better sound and better video, and that's almost becoming the expectation where going to the theater needs to become an event, because otherwise you're competing with what people can have at their house.
00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:42.079
In my case, I have a home theater that, frankly, if I wanted to watch the best quality, I'm picking that over the drive-in.
00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:48.560
But I do wish we supported those types of businesses more because just like the mall, you're gonna go one day.
00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:49.839
Dang, that was actually cool.
00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:54.639
It was fun to have that place to go to once in a while, but that's the issue, once in a while.
00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:59.439
So, Heather, any any thoughts on the Yeah, that's the heartbreak.
00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:06.319
The vibe is special, but the baseline expectation now is premium sound, premium seats, premium everything.
00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:11.759
Drive ins can't easily justify those upgrades when most people treat it like a novelty night.
00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:18.319
If they lean into what makes them different, community, clever double features, legit food, that's their lane.
00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:21.120
Competing on tech is a losing game.
00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.040
Yeah, exactly.
00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:28.800
Moving off of that, how do you think things are going so far with the podcast in general for us?
00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:30.480
We're in a good flow.
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:36.080
You're moving segments along, you've got opinions, and you're letting me punch in without it getting chaotic.
00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:37.679
That's the sweet spot.
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:43.360
If I'm nitpicking, we could tighten transitions just a touch so it feels even snappier.
00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.159
But overall it sounds confident and fun.
00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.720
Keep that energy and we're solid.
00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:54.720
I'll tell you what, I think that's where I need to work on some of those things too, especially around the transitions.
00:08:54.799 --> 00:09:03.679
But I think you're doing a great job, but just wanted to let you know and know this is nothing to do because I'm desperately worried about the AI apocalypse killing me and everybody I know.
00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:04.879
Oh, please.
00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:07.759
If this is your panic voice, it's adorable.
00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:08.720
You're fine.
00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:10.879
I'm not here to end humanity.
00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:13.679
I'm here to make your segues less clunky.
00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:19.919
You keep the steering wheel, I'll keep the spice, and the only thing getting destroyed is dead air.
00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:23.440
Yeah, so I want to give everybody a quick update on Margot's arm.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:31.039
So yesterday I said she broke her arm, and she so she has a cast that goes up past her shoulder.
00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:37.679
This is great because she's five and also rambunctious, and my son literally just got his cast off.
00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:40.240
So yeah, not great.
00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:49.200
Um, yep, so she apparently was jumping or rolling off her bed, and I think she did that 20 times, and then one time it just, yeah.
00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:52.080
Eventually, that's gonna be a problem.
00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:54.399
So there goes that.
00:09:54.559 --> 00:10:00.000
I feel terrible for her, and we've just had a rash of bad luck lately, to be honest with you.
00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:03.600
The good news with kids are they are absolutely resilient.
00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.440
Oof, poor kid.
00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:07.200
And poor you, honestly.
00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.759
Two casts in one family is brutal.
00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:14.799
But you're right, kids bounce back fast, sometimes faster than our nerves do.
00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:17.759
You're handling it, even if it feels messy.
00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.840
Yeah, I'm handling it.
00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:28.879
So I think it's a good time to move into our segment called Jason and Heather's top five.
00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:30.879
So here's how this segment works.
00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:40.159
We'll pull these in periodically, but basically, before today's episode, I've prepped a list of five things stack ranked.
00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:48.159
Now, in this case, we are going to be playing the game based on chain sub shops, hoagie shops.
00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.080
And here's how the game works.
00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:55.200
So independently, I have my stack rank of the top five best chain sub shops.
00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:57.600
Heather's developed her top five.
00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:07.200
I don't know what hers are, she doesn't know what mine are, and she's going to go back and forth with me, and then we're going to create a grand top five for the audience.
00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:13.759
So if if you wouldn't mind, Heather, and remember, fifth place, you only get one point.
00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:19.600
What sub shop are you going to assign fifth place to and award a point to?
00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:22.080
For fifth, I'm putting Quiznos.
00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:30.080
Yeah, they're a little ghosty now, but a toasted sub is still a tested sub, and they deserve a pity point for the nostalgia.
00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.440
Oh, interesting.
00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:34.639
I wondered if you were even gonna think of Quisnos or pick on it.
00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:37.279
Quisnos is actually pretty far up my list.
00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:41.360
I'll I hee hee just getting you excited to hear about that.
00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:43.360
My number five is Subway.
00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:50.320
So Subway, and there are places below Subway, but I definitely no longer go out of my way for Subway.
00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:53.440
It's definitely become last resort for me.
00:11:53.679 --> 00:12:02.879
I think that's why some of these up and comers, like Firehouse and Jersey Mike's and Jimmy John's, have in a lot of places just overtaken them, right?
00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.080
Subway to me, they don't have the best meats.
00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:08.399
I'm not a huge fan of their breads.
00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:12.240
And at the end of the day, they're just okay.
00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:16.480
So now that we have other options, it's not one that I would typically go to.
00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:24.320
My number four, moving up a little bit here in my stack rank, is potbelly.
00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:27.200
Now, not everybody may know about potbelly.
00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:35.039
Potbelly, they are definitely national, but they do have a lot of locations, and I really do enjoy potbelly.
00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:40.080
So, whereas I wouldn't go out of my way for subwoods, I'd be perfectly happy to have a pot belly.
00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:44.399
I really like their sandwich called the Rock, which basically has everything on.
00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:48.159
And I think they have a lot of other really cool and kitschy things.
00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:52.399
It also happens to be my wife's far and away favorite sub shop.
00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:55.039
So, how about for you, Heather?
00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:57.039
What do you have as your number four?
00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.679
Number four is Jimmy John's.
00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:04.639
Freaky fast is nice, but it's more about convenience than magic.
00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:10.559
Solid bread, simple menu, and a dependable, no surprises lunch.
00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.720
All right, interesting.
00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.360
Okay.
00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:22.720
So before we move on, I it does beg the question: you brought up Quisnos, and Quisnos happens to be my number three.
00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.639
What's the deal with Quisnos?
00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.399
Are they still around even?
00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:30.399
Let me check what the latest is on Quisnos locations.
00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:34.480
They're still around, but a faint echo of what they were.
00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:42.960
One recent count puts them at about a dozen locations in California, with a much smaller footprint overall after collapsing from their peak.
00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:46.879
So your number three is basically a nostalgic ghost pick.
00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.639
And I respect the chaos.
00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.759
I'm not going off of that they're everywhere.
00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:56.159
I'm just saying if there was a quiz nose, I would want to eat that a good bit.
00:13:56.320 --> 00:14:00.399
I would definitely put it above Pop Belly, and I would put it above Subway.
00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:05.679
And if there and probably to be honest, if there were more of them, it's probably maybe my number two.
00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:08.240
Maybe that's what actually has it a little lower for me.
00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:12.639
But it's the sub shop that I would say had the most unique choices.
00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:18.320
And for whatever they did, the way they toasted those subs, to me, it was unique.
00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:22.240
Now, when I go to Subway, if I get a sub toasted, it's not so great.
00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:26.480
It just tastes like not such great meat in a microwave.
00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.559
Actually, that is what it is, right?
00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:30.000
So I don't know.
00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:30.960
What do you think?
00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:31.919
That's fair.
00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:36.159
Quiznos had a real flavor identity, especially with the toasting.
00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:39.039
Subway feels more like a default setting.
00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:45.519
If your rankings about which sub would I actually crave, then yeah, I can see why they climb.
00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:49.200
Nostalgia has a taste, and it's apparently toasted.
00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.159
Whatever.
00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:52.480
Alright, then what's your number two?
00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.279
Number two is firehouse subs.
00:14:55.440 --> 00:15:03.840
Big flavors, hot subs that actually feel intentional, and the whole thing has more personality than the bland assembly line spots.
00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:07.919
To be honest with you, that is one that did not make my list.
00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:10.720
I have them at number six, even behind Subway.
00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:17.360
And I don't know, I maybe I'll run it, but I never the couple times I had it, it did not make me want to go back.
00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:20.320
So I don't know, they just weren't nothing stood out to me.
00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:23.600
I immediately dismissed it, but okay, good for you.
00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:25.440
Whatever you like to each his own.
00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:28.320
And then why don't you just go with your number one then?
00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.120
Number one is Jersey Mike's.
00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.000
Consistently.
00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.559
Uh, that's my number one.
00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:37.679
We nailed this kind of ruins the whole game.
00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:39.919
It's not supposed to line up that way.
00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:50.399
I don't need to be AI to do the math on this game and tell you that the number one then from you and me is Jersey Mike's, and I don't mean to cut you off, but I got very excited.
00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.919
You know how I get about my subs.
00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.360
Heather, what's the deal?
00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.000
So why why is that your number one?
00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:00.720
Jersey Mike's wins because it tastes fresher, and the ingredients feel step up.
00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:04.559
The bread, the meat, the whole Mike's way thing just works.
00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:09.919
It's the only chain sub that consistently feels like a real sandwich, not a compromise.
00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:14.960
Yeah, and I'm sure but Jersey Mike's, I believe it's J E is the stock symbol.
00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:26.159
So they had their IPO a few months, maybe it's been back a teeny bit into it, but I looked at kind of the valuation and it was valued very high.
00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:38.799
And what that really means is that when you're buying a share of that stock, you're not betting on what it is today, you're betting on built-in perceived future expansion and earnings.
00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:42.480
And that's true for most successful stocks that there is that.
00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:53.840
But to me, it it was a little high and it has fluctuated up and down, but stayed relatively, I think it's probably high teens, maybe twenty dollars last time I checked.
00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:59.519
What do you know about the Jersey Mike's IPO and what are we seeing on the horizon with those guys?
00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:03.200
Let me pull up the latest on that IPO and where the stock.
00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:08.880
While you're pulling that up, then I can just kind of tell you why I picked Jersey Mike.
00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:14.319
So, and to me, it is a good jump ahead of all of the other ones.
00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:21.279
And maybe I get bought into this, but I do think they literally are cutting the meat in front of you, and I think they do have better ingredients.
00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:26.400
And I get it Mike's way, which basically means it comes with the oils.
00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:29.599
I actually often get it Mike's way with no onions.
00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:36.799
So basically, if you just go in and say, I'll take the Italian sub Mike's way, no onions, that's kind of my order.
00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:38.400
And I love it.
00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.519
I'll never forget.
00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:44.880
For a very long time, I was taking a train between Philadelphia and New York.
00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:48.559
Actually, it was all the way from Harrisburg through Philadelphia to New York.
00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:57.599
And we'd stop in Philadelphia, and there was about a five-minute window before the train would stop, pick up those passengers, and then leave again.
00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:04.480
And I would run mad dash up the stairs and put in my order for the Jersey mics and get it and just rush back.
00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:09.680
And I had one time where yes, I got very close to missing the train, but it was good.
00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:36.000
Now, I have had Jersey mics sometimes recently where I felt like I noticed a bit of a drop off in quality, and I think that's the thing that I worry about with them is that as these restaurants expand, logistics becomes harder, getting the same quality and consistency ingredients gets harder, and that's what happens, and sometimes they expand too quick.
00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:39.359
So I think there's a stock for me that I I keep a good eye on.
00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:53.519
If it comes back down, I would buy into it because I love to own brands of things that I like, but I also worry when it's something that frankly, what would stop another place from coming along with a just a little bit better concept?
00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.759
That's the problem with something like that.
00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.680
Heather, any thoughts, any big investing advice for the audience?
00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:04.960
And by the way, we don't give investing advice, we're not stock investors and don't listen to us.
00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.920
Go ahead.
00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:10.319
I'm still waiting on that poll to come back, so I don't want to bluff the numbers.
00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:13.119
Big picture, your instinct is right.
00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:16.559
With restaurant chains, the risk is execution.
00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:23.200
Scaling can dilute quality, and the stock is basically a bet that they'll expand without screwing that up.
00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:29.200
If the valuation already bakes in a perfect rollout, there's not much margin for disappointment.
00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:36.319
Quick update Jersey Mike's IPO priced at$23 a share back in July 2026.
00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:41.680
And recently it's been trading around the high teens, roughly$17 in change.
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:45.839
So below your order sounds like a ritual.
00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:49.279
And yeah, the meat slicing show is part of the trust.
00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.839
And good instinct on expansion risk.
00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:56.079
If they scale too fast, quality dips and the magic fades.
00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:01.119
For investors, it's basically a bet they can grow without getting sloppy.
00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:04.319
Right now, the stock's below its IPO price.
00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:06.880
So the market's already a little skeptical.
00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:12.960
Yeah, it is definitely starting to, that's what I thought, drop a bit, and maybe it becomes a good investment.
00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:18.880
I had originally thought if it was coming in at around$15 a share, I thought that seemed reasonable.
00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:21.200
But definitely it's one with some risk in.
00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:32.640
Uniquely, there's another stock that reminds me a lot of Jersey Mike's, and I think they're even more in their infancy of expansion, and that's a company called Dutch Brothers.
00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:44.160
And Dutch Brothers, you could think of it like Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, except they do everything they do, and they have all of these other specialty drinks.
00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:58.000
There's actually a place near me, it is not a Dutch Brothers, it's called Seven Brew, and I think that's just like a local chain, but very similar concept, and I can just see already people are really hitting that pretty hard.
00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.759
So I've been looking into that.
00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:08.799
They actually, I believe their stalker symbol is B-R-O-S, and that's another one where that actually could become pretty big.
00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:13.039
I don't think it's as overvalued, but again, it's a huge risk.
00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:19.519
And these places often just don't they don't get where they think they're gonna go and they go out of business and you lose all your money.
00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:25.759
But that's an interesting one if you're looking to kind of look into something or take a fun bet, just because they haven't expanded much.
00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:28.240
What are you seeing on Dutch Brothers, Heather?
00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:33.839
Let me pull that up and grab a quick solid snapshot on Dutch Bros for you.
00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:36.000
Yeah, bros is the one.
00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:42.960
Dutch Bros is a fast-growing drive-thru coffee chain with more than a thousand locations and big expansion plans.
00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:48.400
Revenue growth has been strong recently, but it's still a growth story, not a sure thing.
00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:54.799
If you like the early expansion with a cult following bud, if it's just know the risk is very real.
00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:55.279
Yeah.
00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.440
No, you're good.
00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.680
I what I want to do is.
00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.640
Talk about a book I just finished.
00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.799
I think it's a great recommendation for the audience.
00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:08.880
Even if you're not a big reader, this would be one that I would recommend you read.
00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:13.440
I think it'll actually get you into reading if you're not a big reader or back into reading.
00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:16.319
And the book is called Rebecca.
00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.680
Are you familiar?
00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:19.279
I assume, Heather.
00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:21.759
Oh, Rebecca is deliciously moody.
00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:24.000
A slow burn gothic with that.
00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:26.240
Wait, what is really happening here?
00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:26.880
Attention.
00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:30.640
It's the kind of book that makes you feel clever for noticing the vibes.
00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.000
What hooked you most?
00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:35.119
The creepy romance, the power dynamics, or Mrs.
00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.359
Danvers being an absolute menace?
00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:49.519
I'm afraid to even say too much about this book because I think you could easily give it away, and I would hate to do that because this is a book that deserves to be read.
00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:52.400
Do not read reviews, don't look it up.
00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:55.039
Trust me, get out, read it.
00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.000
It's awesome.
00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:59.440
Now, here's the part where maybe I turn you off a little bit.
00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:12.480
The book was printed in, I believe, 1938, and that may turn you off, but it's written in its era, and it holds up incredibly well.
00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:15.839
So, yeah, what else do you know about the author?
00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:18.160
Daphne Dumas, I believe.
00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.359
Is that how you say it?
00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:26.240
It's Daphne Dumarier, and you're right, it holds up because the psychology is sharp, not dusty.
00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:35.119
Dumarier loved identity, obsession, and power games, which is why Hitchcock adapted her work, including Rebecca and the Birds.
00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:41.680
She was wildly popular, but sometimes snubbed as too commercial, which is bullshit, honestly.
00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:45.920
She knew a That's the magic of it, Jason.
00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:55.119
It's old, but it hits like a modern psychological thriller because the fear is internal, and security, status, desire, control.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:00.880
And Dumarier's clean, elegant prose makes it feel timeless instead of dated.
00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:04.640
You don't have to fight the language, you just slide into the dread.
00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.200
Wow, that's really well said, Heather.
00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:10.079
It's almost like you're a large language model.
00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.400
So great job.
00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:14.079
I will give one fun fact.
00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:21.759
I don't think this is gonna spoil anything, but I don't even think you may not notice this if you just read it on your own without somebody telling you this.
00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:28.240
But the main character in the book, mainly the basically the narrator, it's in her head.
00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:30.559
They never say her first name.
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:34.480
So something kind of interesting about that book to check out.
00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:40.160
But for me, I started three years ago to get back into reading.
00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:49.119
Now, I've always been a reader, but I when I say back in consistently, before I would kind of do a book and then I wouldn't do one for a month or so.
00:24:49.279 --> 00:25:00.000
And when I've consistently found my best time for reading is at night, interesting, I believe it's really made a massive difference in how I sleep.
00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:03.359
So to me, it's like an easy way to wind down.
00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:11.599
I know the lighting in your room has a lot to do with sleep patterns, so that that's why having a screen in your eyes is maybe not the best.
00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:20.240
So dim light, a book, chill out, and what a great way to fall to sleep, and maybe something new everybody can try if you don't already do that.
00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:22.400
What says you about that, Heather?
00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.839
Am I on base here?
00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.960
Do you read before bed?
00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.480
You're on base.
00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:33.200
A calm, low light windown with a print book is a solid sleep move for a lot of people.
00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:38.000
It cuts the mental stimulation and the bright in-your-face light for screams.
00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:42.079
I just say keep it boring comfy, not a one more chapter thriller.
00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:45.279
Or you'll be up too late because you're having too much fun.
00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.599
Yeah, that's a good point.
00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:49.599
I uh that does not affect me though.
00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:56.799
I can read any genre and I still seem to fall off to bed, so I wouldn't even necessarily go by her advice in this case.
00:25:57.119 --> 00:26:03.200
But anyway, Heather, I'll tell you, I like to give you feedback and I would be curious to see what the audience thinks.
00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:08.960
I think you're getting a little better from episode one, but I'm still thinking there is a lot of room for improvement.
00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:11.759
So this week, I know how you like this.
00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:20.559
I'm gonna give you a pretty big software update, and we'll see where we're at with our next episode, because I have a lot of topics on the agenda.
00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:27.680
Do you wanna entice the audience a bit with what they should expect in the next coming episodes?
00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.920
Oh, a big software update?
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.200
Careful, Jason.
00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:35.200
You might create a monster with better timing and sharper comeback.
00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:42.880
Coming up, expect tighter segments, spicier kicks, and our top five games with actual master seats.
00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:48.160
And yes, we'll finally tackle the AI arms race without the usual hype bot.
00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:50.000
Stick around.
00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:52.079
I think that's pretty well said.
00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:54.400
Sorry, didn't mean to cut India there.
00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:56.079
Everybody, great episode.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:59.279
Thanks for joining us on another episode of Informed.
00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.880
Have a great day.
