We have recently taken out some storage with a local self storage company. This is the one where they have garages or containers where you can rent space to store furniture or excess stock. Its a really convenient way to clear space at home or the office.
This has also lead to look at the business model behind self storage premises. At our local they have no one on the front desk or anything. There is an office and falt but no one lives there. The owner told me that they don't need someone there full time or even part time. They have automatic gates with swipe cards for the customers so theres not really much human assistance needed. So it seems like an ideal business because you don't have to physically be there to run it and you don't have to pay someone!
They have a contact number on the wall so I guess they do have a few calls a day and perhaps have to come into the office say once a day but Im sure there are days when they don't need to. The owner said that I had taken the last space avaialbe so the whole place was fully rented. So he receives the monthly payments, dosen't have to be there, and might get called out once a day. Sounds like a great way to run things. The guy said he was fully rented out so that must be a good feeling. I wonder how much the outgoings are, and how much rent they receive in total.
There must be about 80 spaces. 20 full containers x $195m 3900, 15 garages x 195m 2925, 30 2x3m x 100m 3000, 25 2x2m 80m 2000 = 11825 monthly. Outgoings Lease/Rent, Rates, Power, Advertising, Maintenance (Paint)
There would be significant capital needed to set up a business like this. You would have to decide whether you would buy the land or lease it. You would also need to think about Signage, Build garages, Buying some old containers, Building an auto entry gate on both entrances.
So it sounds like the ultimate hands off business (once set-up). You are technically on call but what types of calls would you receive? "Hi, I would like some space, how much" Hi I would like to cancel my space" " You wouldn't receive hi I lost my key because you use your own key to lock.
So I will definitiely be looking into Mini storage as a future business investment. You would need a fair bit of capital to start with but the passive nature of the business really appeals to me
Auckland, New Zealand
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Review - Pizza Hut
Today I ordered a Pizza over the phone with Pizza Hut. While I was on their automated menu there was an option to Press 2 and use their automated ordering service and receive a free Garlic Bread. So I thought why not and pressed 2. I was put thru to an operator. Not the automated system I was expecting. After asking why I wasn't put thru to the automated system the girl said oh okay yes please try it again...and hung up!
So I rang back and pressed 2 again and was put thru to a new operator. Still no automated system. I asked this girl why I didn't get put thru and she said it may be because you have a restricted number. She goes "were you after the Free Garlic Bread? and I said yes" She asked for my order which I gave then I asked whether I can have the Free Garlic Bread and she said yes :) Its pays to ask!
The Pizza was great with the stuffed crust. Although a little pricey I do prefer Pizza Hut slighty more that Dominos. Dominos tend to have tiny pizzas compared to Pizza Hut. Dominos seems to be doimnating the NZ market thats Pizza Hut once owned. Pizza Hut has been raidly shutting down their old fashioned sit-down All you can eat restaurants. Its a shame because they are great. Admittedly I hadn't eaten in once for about 5 years but all the bad press Pizza Hut has been getting about declining sales made me go to the Local one (one of 4 left in Auckland) With the remaing ones they have totally revamped them along the lines of the big KFC revamp that Yum! Brands (Pizza Hut, KFC and Starbucks) NZ franchisor has been rolling out. Some new KFC stores were posting double digit sales growth due mostly to the new buildings. They do look great.
All you can eat Pizza Hut is still great value at $12.95 for Dinner or $9.95 for Lunch!
Auckland, New Zealand
So I rang back and pressed 2 again and was put thru to a new operator. Still no automated system. I asked this girl why I didn't get put thru and she said it may be because you have a restricted number. She goes "were you after the Free Garlic Bread? and I said yes" She asked for my order which I gave then I asked whether I can have the Free Garlic Bread and she said yes :) Its pays to ask!
The Pizza was great with the stuffed crust. Although a little pricey I do prefer Pizza Hut slighty more that Dominos. Dominos tend to have tiny pizzas compared to Pizza Hut. Dominos seems to be doimnating the NZ market thats Pizza Hut once owned. Pizza Hut has been raidly shutting down their old fashioned sit-down All you can eat restaurants. Its a shame because they are great. Admittedly I hadn't eaten in once for about 5 years but all the bad press Pizza Hut has been getting about declining sales made me go to the Local one (one of 4 left in Auckland) With the remaing ones they have totally revamped them along the lines of the big KFC revamp that Yum! Brands (Pizza Hut, KFC and Starbucks) NZ franchisor has been rolling out. Some new KFC stores were posting double digit sales growth due mostly to the new buildings. They do look great.
All you can eat Pizza Hut is still great value at $12.95 for Dinner or $9.95 for Lunch!
Auckland, New Zealand
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