Fantastic article in the Tampa Bay Tribune this morning that does what I have been waiting for: tell about the real-life travails of a CIT (CIT) client, called Beef O'Brady's, which is a Florida neighborhood pub where 40 franchises got CIT money to expand. Now that money, even before the problems, has been cut off.

I feel bad for this chain, but I have to tell you this good-pub-food expansion is probably over, and that is fantastic for Brinker (EAT) or Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) or Darden (DRI) (Red Lobster/Olive Garden), or Chipotle Mexican Grille (CMG) and Panera (PNRA) for that matter.

I am sure that this Beef O'Brady's concept is one of dozens out there that were going to present real challenges to the growth of the already public players who are in a constant war for consumer dollars. That's why if you own one of these, particularly BWLD, which just reported a terrific quarter and is a chief competitor of this place, you can cheer and buy more. The multiple goes up when the competition goes down.

I feel bad for this chain, but I have to tell you this good-pub-food expansion is probably over, and that is fantastic for Brinker (EAT) or Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) or Darden (DRI) (Red Lobster/Olive Garden), or Chipotle Mexican Grille (CMG) and Panera (PNRA) for that matter.

I feel bad for this chain, but I have to tell you this good-pub-food expansion is probably over, and that is fantastic for Brinker (EAT) or Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) or Darden (DRI) (Red Lobster/Olive Garden), or Chipotle Mexican Grille (CMG) and Panera (PNRA) for that matter.

But CIT's problems are the opportunities for the Buffalo Wild Wings and the Paneras or outfits like DineEquity (DIN) with an Applebee's, another direct competitor of Beef O'Brady's. I want to pay more for all of these winners, because of the possible end of CIT. And from the looks of things, we don't even need to wait for the end of it.

But CIT's problems are the opportunities for the Buffalo Wild Wings and the Paneras or outfits like DineEquity (DIN) with an Applebee's, another direct competitor of Beef O'Brady's. I want to pay more for all of these winners, because of the possible end of CIT. And from the looks of things, we don't even need to wait for the end of it.

Also in the article is a description of CIT's factoring business -- high interest loans to struggling companies. I know for a fact that these kinds of loans backed by the receivables coming in are used aggressively by small clothing manufacturers. That means that if you are an owner of VF Corp. (VFC) or Jones Apparel (JNY) -- nice quarter there -- you could be in for a windfall as CIT pulls back.