Traveling through the Tokyo bubble era

Chapter 750 Dante Kane's Investment Direction

Howard Schultz was stunned by what Hanyu Hideki said.

Then he humbly asked, "Mr. Hanyu said it's not now, so when should it be?"

Hanyu Hideki replied calmly, "Starbucks is still too small now and lacks sufficient appeal to capital. The amount of financing that can be raised by a hasty listing is very limited. We still need to continue to develop."

"I know that, but..." Howard Schultz hesitated.

Hideki Hanyu knew what Howard Schultz had not finished saying.

How could the head of Starbucks not know that Starbucks' listing would have limited appeal to capital?

But Howard Schultz also understood that although Starbucks had developed very well, competitors and even imitators of the same style began to emerge after its success.

Therefore, Starbucks' expansion must not stop. Even if this is not the best time to go public, Howard Schultz must go public in order to raise funds.

As for continuing to let Hideki Hanyu invest, Howard Schultz thought about it in his heart, but he also had a hint of resistance.

In addition to not having the confidence to convince Hideki Hanyu, he also did not want Hideki Hanyu to gain any more power in Daily Coffee and Starbucks.

Thinking of this, Hanyu Hideki began tapping the armrest of the sofa with his fingers.

After a moment, he spoke.

"I can help you find a way to finance it."

After saying this, seeing Howard Schultz showing hesitation, Hanyu Hideki began to explain.

"Instead of having Hope Angel continue to increase capital, if you are willing, I can help you contact a bank for a loan or even introduce new investors."

In terms of equity, he also didn't want to provoke Howard Schultz too much, because he still hoped that the other party would continue to manage Starbucks carefully.

After all, it is easy to get thousands of soldiers but difficult to find a good general. Howard Schultz is indeed a talent.

Besides, he already owns a large enough stake in Starbucks, and there is really no point in further reducing Howard Schultz's share.

No matter what, delaying the listing time and creating greater value will benefit him as the largest shareholder, so why not do it?

And there is a saying that a cunning rabbit has three burrows. If things really don't work out, he can just change his alias and continue investing.

The construction work of the "Cornerstone Bank" is almost done, and it's time to find something for the bank to practice.

Seeing that Howard Schultz's expression relaxed, Hanyu Hideki continued speaking.

“As for the listing time, my suggestion is that the number of stores in America should be expanded to at least one thousand.

In order to attract the attention of the capital market, we cannot limit ourselves to America or even North America. We must make Starbucks an international chain brand.”

As soon as Hanyu Hideki said this, Howard Schultz immediately asked, "Like Blockbuster?"

Hanyu Hideki nodded and said, "That's right, only after Starbucks goes global can it tell a good story on Wall Street.

Of course, Starbucks and Blockbuster are different. We can refer to their expansion, but we can’t copy them.”

Blockbuster's operating model and expansion costs mean that Blockbuster not only spends less when expanding, but can also quickly accumulate cash flow through deposits, membership fees, etc.

In another time and space, when Viacom Group acquired Paramount Pictures, why did it choose to acquire Blockbuster first? It was because it was attracted by the huge cash flow that Blockbuster had.

Although Blockbuster is still developing, it cannot compare with the newly started Starbucks, even though these two brands were later hailed as symbols of the rise of new chain brands in America in the 1980s and 1990s.

Thinking back, the late 1980s and early 1990s were indeed the best time for new chain brands to develop rapidly. Even Walmart established its dominant position during this period.

Hideki Hanyu felt that Starbucks’ funding problem should be resolved as soon as possible.

"Howard, according to the goals I set, help Starbucks develop a five-year international development plan. As for the funds needed to achieve this goal, I will help you get it in stages."

Howard Schultz thought for a moment and replied, "I need a month to do the research."

"I'll give you a month."

Seeing that Hanyu Hideki agreed, Howard Schultz said with great insight, "Mr. Hanyu, I'm going to go outside to get some fresh air and think about how to make the next plan."

Hideki Hanyu knew that Howard Schultz left on purpose to give him and Dante Kane space to talk privately.

So he just said, "Okay, but don't leave, I've asked the kitchen to prepare dinner for you."

"Then thank you in advance for your hospitality, Mr. Hanyu."

After Howard Schultz finished speaking, he said goodbye and left the small reception room.

Hanyu Hideki then looked at Dante Kane and asked, "Dant, what do you want to see me about this time?"

Since Howard Schultz did not come with Dante Kane, Dante Kane must have his own purpose.

This subordinate, whom he promoted from the secretary's office to Hope Angel Investment, has done a very good job in recent years.

Whether it is the management of companies invested by Hope Angel Investment or the search for new projects, he is meticulous and responsible, and can be of great use, which makes Hideki Hanyu very worry-free.

Of course, the remuneration that Hideki Hanyu gave to the other party can also be considered generous.

Hearing Hanyu Hideki's question, Dante Kane took out a document from his briefcase and pushed it in front of Hanyu Hideki.

Seeing this, Hanyu Hideki said, "The secretary's office has shown me the work report of Angel of Hope."

Dante Kane quickly explained, "It's not a work report, but a list of projects I've inspected since last year. I think they're worth investing in, but some of the projects require more funding."

After listening to this, Hanyu Hideki showed interest and picked up the document in front of him to read it.

He turned the pages one by one, and when he finished reading the last item, he looked at Dante Kane with a strange look.

"All chain stores and retail industry related?"

It’s no wonder he said that, because all of Dante Kane’s dozen or so inspection targets were chain stores and retail-related industries.

Among these selected targets, the minimum investment required is US$2 million, and the maximum even exceeds US$20 million.

Dante Kane nodded and said, "I have investigated the market trends, and I believe that these emerging chain brands, which are different from traditional chain stores and strip malls, will be the mainstream of the consumer market in the future.

They pay attention to brands, but do not show off cartoon-like brand logos everywhere. They pay more attention to quality and details, cater to the preferences of young people, and like to adopt more scientific management methods.

......"

Dent Kane spoke a lot of his ideas in a very eloquent way.

Hanyu Hideki listened patiently without interrupting.

Almost an hour later, Dent Kane's voice slowly stopped.

During this period, Dante Kane not only narrated his ideas, his views on the future market trends, and why he wanted to focus on chain stores and the retail market.

He also gave a relatively detailed introduction to how he selected investment targets.

After listening to this, Hideki Hanyu did not answer immediately.

Although he was still confident in Dante Kane's support, the total investment in the document before him exceeded 70 million US dollars.

In this day and age, this is definitely not a small amount.

This level of investment was not something Dante Kane could convince with just a bunch of words or a few simple documents.

Of course, there are some of these investments that Hanyu Hideki can decide on immediately after seeing them.

As for why, of course it was because he had seen the brand name in his previous life.

For example, a chain of printing stores called Kinko's.

It is also translated into Kinko's Express in China.

Even though Dante Kane gave an investment plan of more than 20 million US dollars in this project book, which is the most expensive of all the plans, Hideki Hanyu can agree to it now.

Because this is the world's largest chain quick printing brand in later generations, and it was acquired by FedEx for US$2004 billion in 24.

Now, according to the plan, because Jinko Printing needs funds for expansion, more than 30% of the shares can be acquired with 20 million US dollars.

There was no reason for him to disagree with this kind of return on investment.

In addition to Kinko's Printing, he actually saw some other familiar brands, but he was only familiar with them and was not very clear about the future value of the brands.

However, since he can still be remembered by future generations after decades, I think its development will not be too bad, so it can basically be classified as an investable category.

But even so, Hideki Hanyu does not intend to agree to all of them.

However, as the manager of Hope Angel Investment, Dante Kane must also give Hideki Hanyu due rights.

He picked up the information, looked at it, and pretended to think before saying, "For investments below $3 million, you can make your own decision after discussing and analyzing with your team. Don't forget to submit your investment report."

As for the project books with an investment of more than 3 million, please leave them with me first. I need more detailed information for reference, so please prepare them as soon as possible." "Okay, I will send the detailed information as soon as possible." Dante Kane agreed hurriedly.

After all, the scale of investment involved is so large and the number of companies is so large that Dante Kane doesn't think that Hideki Hanyu will immediately agree just by meeting him.

Dante Kane was very happy to be able to get the decision-making power for investments below three million US dollars.

"I will give you a reply as soon as the information is sent."

Hanyu Hideki put away the information, looked at his watch and asked, "Any other questions? If not, let's go have lunch. We can't keep Howard waiting too long."

"No more," said Dante Kane.

He usually reports every detail of his work to Hideki Hanyu. If these investment projects did not require a long period of examination, he would not have saved for so long.

"Then let's go to the restaurant."

Hanyu Hideki said this, calling Dante Kane to go downstairs.

After a sumptuous lunch, Hideki Hanyu saw the two off.

Next, Howard Schultz will invest in the development of Starbucks, and Dante Kane will prepare detailed information for Hideki Hanyu, and they will not leave San Jose in the short term.

This also makes it convenient for Hideki Hanyu to give the two some advice while he is busy with other work.

On Howard Schultz's side, Hideki Hanyu mainly made some suggestions on the future development of Starbucks.

Although he was not an expert in the development of chain brands, he went to Starbucks many times in his later years. Although it was to discuss business with some people, he at least saw what the Starbucks of the future would look like.

As for Dante Kane, Hideki Hanyu used the information he kept sending to finalize all the investment projects he had heard of in later life.

At the same time, he also selected some industries that he had no impression of, but which seemed to have great potential based on the information content.

A week passed quickly in the busyness.

On June 11, Howard Schultz left first, and with him also left the employees of the newly established "Cornerstone Bank" business department.

Dante Kane also left that day, taking away the finalized investment target. The manager of Hope Angel Investment will have a lot of work to do next and will probably be busy for a long time.

After dealing with these matters, Hideki Hanyu's work in the city of San Jose was completely over.

After an intimate and tender moment with Zhou Huimin, he took a helicopter to Los Angeles on June 12.

However, he had just arrived at Hibiscus Garden when he received a call from Alan Horn, CEO of Cloud Pictures.

"Today is the premiere day of When Harry Met Sally. Boss, do you want to come to the set tonight to play?"

"Premiere?"

Hanyu Hideki muttered, then turned to ask Liu Xiaoli, who was holding her eldest daughter behind her, "Beauty, can I invite you to see a movie?"

Liu Xiaoli asked curiously, "In the screening room at home?"

Hanyu Hideki held his forehead helplessly and said, "We are going to the cinema for a date. Do you understand?"

When Hanyu Hideki said it was a date, how could the sweet beauty in her heart refuse? She excitedly agreed, "Of course I do."

After saying that, he lifted up his daughter and joked, "Baby Sissi, stay home with Aunt Dengna tonight. Your dad and I are going to have some time for ourselves."

At the same time, Hanyu Hideki asked on the phone, "Alan, what's the address?"

Alan Horn replied, "The Huaxia Theater in Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m."

After knowing the address, Hanyu Hideki was ready to hang up, but he asked one more question in the end, "You suddenly asked me to attend the premiere, just to let me have fun?"

Alan Horn smiled and said, "Boss, actually a few friends want to meet you at the premiere."

"Okay, see you tonight then."

"See you tonight."

……

Hideki Hanyu, who had promised Allen Horn that he would stay with his daughter in Hibiscus Garden until the afternoon, began to prepare for departure.

When Liu Xiaoli learned that she was going to attend the premiere, she took it much more seriously than Hanyu Hideki and called her stylist to help her prepare at around 3 o'clock.

Then, Hideki Hanyu, who was sitting in the living room, had to comment on the beauty's new look from time to time.

"Honey, how does this look?"

"very good."

"Honey, this dress is a little too dark from time to time."

"I think it complements your skin tone just right."

"husband……"

"..."

After a few times, when the beauty found that no matter how much she asked Hanyu Hideki, she only got compliments, she immediately said to Hanyu Hideki in a coquettish manner.

"Why do you only say nice things?"

Upon hearing this, Hanyu Hideki thought that it would be foolish for him to comment on a woman's dress and point out her flaws.

The woman asked him, is it a true evaluation?

Of course not, women just want compliments.

So when faced with a coquettish look, the scumbag would say, "That's because you're so beautiful, so you look good in any outfit."

As expected, as soon as the scumbag said this, the woman immediately became happy.

Then there was more picking and choosing, and finally I chose the first outfit recommended by the stylist.

Hideki Hanyu was completely speechless and had no idea what he had been going through for the past few hours.

But finally, Hanyu Hideki and his friend finished their work and were able to set off from Hibiscus Garden.

The Rolls-Royce drove all the way and soon arrived at the Huaxia Theater in Los Angeles.

Although this place is called Huaxia Theater, it has a Southeast Asian style when viewed from a distance, and it really has nothing to do with the word Huaxia.

I don’t know why those Hollywood distribution companies always like to hold premieres here.

"When Harry Met Sally" cost $15 million to produce, which is not considered a big production in today's Hollywood, so there is no need to arrange a premiere or anything like that.

However, as the first film produced by Cloud Pictures after acquiring Castle Rock, and also the first film co-produced by Cloud Pictures and Columbia Pictures, this film itself has a special significance.

Therefore, at the strong request of Columbia Pictures, the decision was made to hold the premiere tonight.

When they arrived, the main entrance of the Hua Xia Theater was already filled with media and movie fans. The film's creative staff and invited guests were walking on the red carpet and entering the theater under the attention of the media.

Hideki Hanyu did not intend to be in the limelight at this time, so after the Rolls-Royce stopped not far away, he asked the staff to take him around the red carpet and enter from the side.

But even so, there were still some sharp-eyed reporters who noticed him, especially Liu Xiaoli, who was holding the hand of Hanyu Hideki.

In pursuit of the scandal of playboy Hideki Hanyu, reporters who noticed it pressed the shutter button desperately.

But unfortunately, because the distance was too far, no one was able to take clear photos.

But even so, just a blurry picture was enough for these media to make up a scandal report.

After all, it is a scandal involving the world's second richest man. While Hideki Hanyu has not yet confirmed his marriage, many people are still willing to pay attention to the love life of this bachelor.

In the theater, Liu Xiaoli asked nervously, "I just saw a reporter filming us, is that okay?"

Hanyu Hideki said indifferently, "It doesn't matter. I'm not a celebrity. I'm hiding from those guys on purpose because I don't want your and your daughter's lives to be affected by public opinion."

Today, Hideki Hanyu is not affected at all by gossips about his relationship, and he would not care even if any scandals were exposed.

However, after he entered the theater and had just said a few words to the beauty, an acquaintance came up to him.

It was none other than Peter Guber, CEO of Columbia Pictures.

It seems that the other party really attaches great importance to the cooperation with Yunshang Pictures, which is why he personally attended the premiere of "When Harry Met Sally" today.

After exchanging pleasantries with Hanyu Hideki, this guy deliberately lowered his voice and spoke to Hanyu Hideki.

"Mr. Hanyu, there are several investors from TriStar Pictures who want to meet you. I wonder if you have time."

(End of this chapter)