It's... to the Busch family.
The reasoning goes that the Busch family will make enough from the sale of its shares in Anheuser-Busch to InBev that family members will be able to buy, or at least finance, the purchase of Busch Entertainment Corp. from InBev. And BEC wouldn't even have to change its name! Saves a few bucks on letterhead, at least. ;-)
The move would allow the Busch "brand name" to continue in the marketplace, something that is said to be very important to some family members. And it would ensure that the current management team would stay in place, though there might have to be some title-shuffling to accommodate Busch family members who do not now have titles within BEC.
Done deal, or wishful thinking? I don't know, but, wow, what a thought to wish....
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My next year Disney only parks will now have to include one of the Busch\SeaWorld parks if the do go through with this…
The parks themselves are profitable too. Just to give everyone an idea, according to the Anheuser Busch 2007 Annual Report, the entertainment division had a healthy net income of 162.9 million. 12.8% profit growth from the previous year, which was the third straight year of double-digit profit growth.
We have to remember that BEC is an subsidiary of Anheuser Busch and profits from BEC was probably most likely used to finance growth and improvements within the parks and not from the beer sales even though I could be wrong and that was done as well.
Man, that is a wonderful thought though. The $$$ is obviously of some debate when it comes to maintaining the parks to the degree that they are today. But I don't care right now, it's just a relief to some degree to know that there's a chance, be it slim or not, that Busch parks may stay in the Busch family. At least that way we know that they'll try, and try hard, to keep things as they are!
Does the Busch family really want the parks?
They will have the money to make this happen, but do they want to spend it? I certainly hope so, because the Busch parks are too good of a product (not to mention a moneymaker) to just toss away. One thing I wouldn't be so sure about is removing the current seemingly top notch management in lieu of family members running things. Not that the family would necessarily be incompetent, but if I were the big cheese in a deal like this, I would want those in charge to stay right where they are, because it's pretty evident that they are doing a great job running the franchise.
The question will be whether the public would accept any potential increases in ticket prices , if required, to sustain the family connection if they do need to raise extra funds.
Competition from other Parks is getting more and more aggressive and capital investment in them greater and greater each year. I'd hate to see Busch Gardens Parks
deteriorate due to lack if investment so that has to be the priority over sentiment.
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