Invasion of the Tablet Snatchers  

In the classic movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, a group of people discover the human race has been replaced one by one, with clones grown in pods, devoid of emotion.   There are several archetypal terms and analogies to the impending tablet invasion.  The iPad has such a lead over its competitors that sometimes when I start talking about tablets in a small group of people someone will inevitably say, "So what's a tablet?"   And like the Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the influx of tablets to the market will seem like they're being grown in pods that are bursting all at the same time.

I'll bet we all agree on this.  We dig the power and convenience of our handhelds.  They're simply marvelous.  Well marvelous that is until we get into compatibility issues.  "Compatibility issues?" you ask.  I mean everything from operating systems to connecting cables to power sources that they use every day, and all the while keeping us tethered to cords in a way that would be really comical if it weren't so annoying.

But back to what this invasion will feel like...Confusion.  Over one-hundred new tablets were introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year.  You already know the operating systems - Android, Windows, Mac, Linux and you know many of the hardware companies - Panasonic, Vizio, HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Apple, Dell, et al.   But how will you know what to buy?  How will you know which will be the best?  Know this.  The life-cycle of tablets is going to be short.  Plan to buy one this fall and then again in a year and then again and again for a while.  Why? The simple answer is suppliers are going to keep adding and rearranging features to differentiate themselves.   I love the folks at ZDNet.  You might want to see what they say about the tablets as a useful guide. 

In my opinion, this is not a reason to avoid buying one or stall on buying the one you want.   Buy a tablet because they are a really useful business tool and a great consumer addition to your digital experience.  I think this is one place where you won't want to wait to see what comes next and how low the price will drop.   Those of you who read this regularly know I love my iPad and so I may be in the market for the iPad2.  However, I must say I'm going to be looking real hard at the HP TouchPad since it may multitask better and be more compatible with my desktop.  Compatibility is going to be a big issue for me and a lot of us in commercial real estate for a long time.  The use of tablets really is beginning to feel like an invasion has taken place but unlike an alien/science-fiction movie, it's real and it's welcome.  What are you planning to do?  Are you going to buy and if so, how will you make your decision?  

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Bandana's Bar-B-Q operates 32 locations throughout IA, IL and MO. The restaurants, offering barbecued ribs, pork, chicken and turkey, occupy spaces of 5,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations. Plans call for eight openings throughout IA, IL and IN during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run five years. Preferred demographics include a population of 125,000 within five miles earning $60,000 as the average household income. The company is franchising and will also consider second-generation spaces.  For more information, contact Jay Mihulka, Bandana's Bar-B-Q, 16141 Swingley Bridge Road, Suite 205, Chesterfield, MO 63017

W.E. Aubuchon Co. Inc. trades as Aubuchon Hardware at 125 locations throughout MA, ME, NH, the Adirondack area of NY and VT.  The home improvement stores, offering power and hand tools; electrical, plumbing, lawn and garden, farm and pet, automotive and paint supplies and heating and cooling and outdoor living products, occupy spaces of 9,000 sq.ft. to 10,500 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and endcaps of strip centers.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout CT, MA, ME, NH, upstate NY and VT during the coming 18 months.  Typical leases run 10 years with three, five-year options.  Preferred cotenants include pizzerias, dry cleaners and restaurants.  Major competitors include Ace Hardware and big box retailers.  A land area of 1.2 acres is required for freestanding locations.  The company is seeking locations in suburban and rural markets and also requires 1,800 sq.ft. for cold storage space.  For more information, contact Gregory Moran, W.E. Aubuchon Co., Inc., 95 Aubuchon Drive, Westminster, MA 01473

Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems, Inc. trades as Mr. Goodcents Subs and Pastas at 100 locations throughout AZ, CO, KS, MN, MO, NE, OK, SD and TX. The restaurants, offering subs, sandwiches and pastas, occupy spaces of 1,600 sq.ft. to 1,700 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and strip centers. Growth opportunities are sought nationwide during the coming 18 months. A vanilla shell and specific improvements are required. Preferred demographics include a trade-area population of 30,000. Major competitors include Subway and Quiznos.  For more information, contact Jodi Talia, Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems, Inc., 8997 Commerce Drive, Desoto, KS 66018

Baja Sol Restaurants Group trades as Baja Sol Tortilla Grill at 12 locations throughout MN. The Mexican restaurants occupy spaces of 2,000 sq.ft. to 2,700 sq.ft. in strip centers. Growth opportunities are sought nationwide, with a focus on major metropolitan markets throughout the midwestern region, during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run 10 years. A vanilla shell and specific improvements are required. Major competitors include Chipotle and Qdoba Mexican Grill. The company will also consider locating in freestanding buildings and malls.  For more information, contact Dan Edward, Baja Sol Restaurants Group, 5786 Blackshire Path, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

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