Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. chain [cheyn] (n.) – a group of businesses or establishments owned by a single company
Example: McDonald’s is one of the famous fast food chains in the world.
2. avid [AV-id] (adj.) – loyal or devoted
Example: I am an avid fan of burgers and fries.
3. purchase [PUR-chuhs] (v.) – to get something by paying for it
Example: We can purchase some meals for only two dollars at the nearby restaurant.
4. made-to-order [MEYD-too-AWR-der, -tuh-] (adj.) – made according to a specific demand from a customer
Example: Betty asked for a made-to-order pizza with her chosen ingredients.
5. franchise [FRAN-chahyz] (v.) – to allow someone to sell a company’s products or services
Example: The company earned more money after it franchised stores to local citizens.
Article
Read the text below.
America’s youngest female billionaire, Lynsi Torres, is now included in the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. She is said to have earned $1.1 billion from her burger chain profits.
In 2010, the thirty-year-old became the president of In-N-Out Burger, a popular burger restaurant in US. Torres, however, did not confirm whether Bloomberg’s estimates were true because In-N-Out has kept its financial status confidential.
Aside from being a CEO, Torres is also a car racer and a mother to twins. But people know little about Torres because she is a very private person and has only done a few interviews.
Torres’ did not start the chain by herself. Her grandparents built In-N-Out Burger in 1948 as California’s first drive-through burger stand. Her grandmother even managed the accounting of the company.
Since its establishment, the chain has only served burgers that are made-to-order and made with the best and high quality products.
According to a case study, the restaurant chain has kept control on the products’ quality because In-N-Out has never franchised. Simple and limited menus, together with avid customers, also contributed to the company’s success.
In-N-Out now has about 280 stores in five American states. The restaurant’s latest expansion was in Texas, where a new warehouse and burger patty-making factory was built. In addition, the chain’s sales reached around $625 million in 2012.
Other billionaires have even noticed the food chain’s success. Billionaire Warren Buffett, who is also a fan of In-N-Out burgers, said in a student interview that he wanted to purchase the In-N-Out chain.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· What do you think are some factors that make a company successful?
· How does a person become successful in his or her career?
Discussion B
· If you were a billionaire, how would you manage your money?
· What do you think are the disadvantages of being billionaire?