Doubters Downed
A 25-year corporate sales veteran, prompted partially by his wife, gave up a six-figure income to sell hamburgers and fries. Where there is risk, there can be reward.
Full Story »Burger building blocks
Bob Dorfman, chief executive officer of TCH Restaurant Group, thinks far beyond opening a couple of stories for his Five Guys burger franchise.
Full Story »Algenol giveaway fuels debate
Lee County's poposed taxpayer assistance for Algenol Biofuels sparks controversy for high price tag.
Full Story »Chamber chairman never gets his chair
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce had barely elevated a Sarasota County employee to be its next chairman when word spread that a government worker would head the county’s premier business group and the chamber backed down.
Full Story »Lee County catches Collieritis
Collier County has a well-deserved reputation for its anti-business local government, but Lee County seems to be catching up with its neighbor to the south.
Full Story »Fuel Prices Continue to Rise
The price of a gallon of regular gasoline has risen substantially over the past year as the economic recovery begins to take hold, but prices are still well below their highs in 2007.
Full Story »Check unemployment
After last quarter’s GDP results were released last week showing a 5.7% spike for the fourth quarter, Coffee Talk spoke with one banker who does not follow that number.
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Political office
Joe Gammons uses his political savvy to sell office furniture in the Fort Myers area, one of the hardest-hit areas of the Gulf Coast. His management style has paid off.
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Bonus, Baby
Kristen Horler never thought her burning desire to lose pounds gained in pregnancy would be the ticket to a new business. But it was, and now she has ambitious growth plans.
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Print to fit
Executive Leeward Bean didn’t expect to be in T-shirts. Now, the CEO of Big Frog says he’s never been happier franchising a new custom T-shirt printer.
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Owners in distress
Commercial real estate defaults are increasing and brokers and bankers are preparing for a growing number of foreclosures on office buildings, shopping centers and warehouses. Bankers have been slow to take back property.
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Free to Choose
A revamped “Consumer Choice Act” designed to gain the governor’s support, encourage more competition and lower prices in the property insurance market, may run into election year politics and get vetoed again.
Full Story »![Reyad Fezzani, CEO of BP Solar, said in a press release, “We expect [both] solar markets to grow significantly over the next several years and this contract will help ensure that we can meet the demand for our highest lifetime value products and services.”](/images/uploads/articles/cache/126532006244-117x104.jpg)
Corporate Report: Jabil, BP Solar deal expands to Mexico
St. Petersburg-based Jabil Circuit Inc. will assemble BP Solar modules for the North American market at Jabil’s Chihuahua, Mexico, plant beginning in the second quarter through a recent agreement.
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2009 Financial Statements
Tech Data’s quarter profit climbs 157% to $43 million; Teltronics net income jumps to $2.3 million.
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Gulf Coast Stocks at a Glance
Last week’s biggest Gulf Coast gainers were Lincare Holdings at $0.81 (2.25%), HSN Inc. at $0.52 (2.79%) and Alico Inc. at $0.51 (2.03%). The biggest decliners were Tech Data at $-2.69 (-6.19%), Sun Hydraulics at $-2.66 (-10.62%) and Wellcare Health Plans at $-2.00 (-6.03%).
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