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How South Park Became Billion-Dollar Games: The Inside Stories
Unpacking the success of Stone and Parker's 'South Park' and Cancro's Jersey Mike's.
🥚🌟 Cracking open an egg reveals an incredible versatility, similar to my newsletter. From an egg springs an array of culinary wonders, just as our service gives birth to diverse and adaptive solutions.
Hello and welcome to your day! This is Breaking Egg 🍳. Be it scrambled or soft-boiled, here's what we're serving up today:
How Comedy Became a Cash Cow
How Subs Surged: The Rise of Jersey Mike's from Humble Beginnings
News worldwide
South Park Tycoons: Unfolding Matt Stone and Trey Parker's Billion-Dollar Odyssey
Matt Stone and Trey Parker in 2017
South Park, a cult classic of adult animated humor, is the brainchild of the ingenious duo Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Both Stone, born in 1971 in Houston, Texas, and Parker, born in 1969 in Conifer, Colorado, grew up loving animation and comedy. Their paths crossed at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where they began to forge their shared creative vision.
Their collaboration eventually led to the creation of 'South Park', an animated television series that first aired in 1997. Based in the eponymous fictional Colorado town, the show follows the hilarious and often controversial adventures of four boys - Stan, Kyle, Eric, and Kenny. Stone and Parker not only crafted the storyline and the characters but also voiced most of them, adding a unique touch to the series.
'South Park', a revolutionary animated series, centers around the lives of four friends: Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, residing in the eccentric town of South Park, Colorado. Known for its cutting-edge humor and sociopolitical satire, the show traverses a myriad of themes, from pop culture parodies to socio-political commentary, often blurring the lines between reality and absurdity. With a host of quirky town residents and running gags, like Kenny's recurring deaths, 'South Park' blends irreverent humor, provocative narratives, and distinct animation to stay a dominant force in adult animation.
Despite initial criticism for its profanity and dark humor, 'South Park' quickly grew a dedicated fan base. Its innovative blend of satirical commentary on a wide range of topics, from pop culture to politics, ensured its steady climb to becoming a revered icon in the animation industry. The show, now in its 26th season, has transformed into a legendary franchise that continues to entertain global audiences.
In addition to 'South Park', Stone and Parker demonstrated their artistic versatility by venturing into Broadway. Their musical, 'The Book of Mormon,' debuted in 2011 and quickly became a sensation, sweeping up numerous Tony Awards and earning the duo a reported $19 million per month.
Their creativity and innovative thinking were not confined to the world of animation and theatre. They also delved into other business ventures such as acquiring Casa Bonita, a Denver restaurant featured in an episode of 'South Park,' and hinted at starting a marijuana business inspired by 'South Park's' Tegridy Farms.
Despite their success, Stone and Parker had their fair share of disputes and controversies, notably with Warner Bros. Discovery and ViacomCBS over 'South Park's' licensing deals. Nonetheless, they maintained their creative output, producing movies like 'South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut' (1999) and 'Team America: World Police' (2004).
Their success garnered attention from HPS Investment Partners, leading to a $600 million credit line. This move valued their creative collection at a whopping $1 billion. With their newfound financial leverage, they are currently exploring the realm of 3D video games and deepfake technology.
Matt Stone and Trey Parker pose for a photo in New York
From sketching characters in a college animation class to becoming the helms of a billion-dollar franchise, Matt Stone and Trey Parker's journey is a testament to their creative genius, dedication, and business acumen. As they continue to push boundaries, we can only eagerly wait to see what this dynamic duo comes up with next.
South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have turned their creative genius into a billion-dollar empire. Beyond crafting an iconic cartoon, they've cooked up Broadway hits, savvy TV deals, and are even stirring up new ventures in the restaurant and cannabis industries. Their journey from 'Oh my God, they killed Kenny!' to 'Oh my God, they're billionaires!' is a true Hollywood blockbuster.
🍳Cracking Jokes:
Rising From the Bread Crumbs: The Inspiring Journey of Jersey Mike's
Grooming by Kayla Jo Berley at Art Department using Tarte Cosmetics
I want to introduce you to a man whose passion for sandwiches and an unyielding entrepreneurial spirit has taken him from the counter of a local sub shop to the helm of a nationwide franchise. Meet Peter Cancro, the visionary behind Jersey Mike's Subs, a name that has become synonymous with quality sandwiches across America.
The seeds of Cancro's remarkable journey were sown when he was just 14 years old. He took up a job at Mike's Subs, a modest sandwich shop in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Even as a young teenager, his commitment, work ethic, and interpersonal skills shone brightly, winning the admiration of customers and his boss alike. A defining moment came at age 17 when the shop went up for sale. Fueled by ambition and youthful courage, Cancro sought a loan to acquire it. Supported by a high school teacher who recognized his potential, he took a leap of faith that set him on an extraordinary path.
The dream of transforming Mike's Subs into a franchise business took root in 1987. Cancro invested his heart, soul, and every resource at his disposal into turning this dream into reality. However, growth is often accompanied by challenges. The economic recession of the early '90s hit hard, threatening to halt Jersey Mike's expansion. But Cancro, driven by his vision and bolstered by his financial acumen, steered the company through the storm. This period of turmoil taught him invaluable lessons and shaped his approach to business. He began emphasizing the importance of a robust financial support system and strategic planning to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Fast forward to the present day, and you'll find more than 2,000 Jersey Mike's franchises stretching across the country. Through every step of this phenomenal growth, Peter Cancro has remained at the helm, embodying the same passion and dedication that characterized his early years. His story is a powerful reminder that true success is not measured merely by profit margins. It also lies in nurturing a thriving community, investing in people, and providing unwavering support to those who contribute to the realization of the vision.
One cornerstone of Jersey Mike's success is their uncompromising commitment to training. Unlike other chains that offer limited training periods, Jersey Mike's invests a whopping 2.5 months into training for each new location. The company believes in the power of empowerment, transforming the original Mike's Subs shop into a training hub for franchisees.
Through every stage of his journey, Peter Cancro's relentless energy and keen attention to detail have been the driving force behind Jersey Mike's success. His love for what he does is evident in the questions he keeps asking, "What are we doing? How are we serving? How are we rising together?" These questions, and the pursuit of their answers, fuel his undying commitment to growth, service, and communal upliftment.
As Cancro and his team look towards the future, they remain committed to exploring new avenues for growth, creating an even larger community impact, and upholding the high standards that have become synonymous with Jersey Mike's. Cancro is contemplating introducing new food concepts—coffee, chicken, or Mexican food—to his franchisees. And in the spirit of giving back, Jersey Mike's has recently raised $21 million for local charities.
Jersey Mike's, a renowned American submarine sandwich chain, traces its origins back to 1956 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and unique 'Mike's Way' of topping subs, which includes onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil, and spices, it has carved out a loyal customer base across the United States. With over 2,000 locations nationwide, Jersey Mike's continues to uphold its reputation for delivering hearty, authentic East Coast-style subs, which are meticulously prepared and served with a friendly smile."
Jersey Mike's, under Peter Cancro, rose from humble beginnings to a sub sandwich giant, weathering economic storms with financial savvy and quality training. Today, Cancro looks for new food ventures, emphasizing resilience, innovation, and community-focus as key ingredients of success.
🎭Unfolding Hilarity:
Top Tweet’s for today:
🚨BREAKING: X Coins is included in the latest dev version of X
Digital currencies and collectibles are coming WAY sooner than you think
Here’s all the dramatic changes (and what you need to do NOW to stay ahead):
— NFT God (@NFT_GOD)
3:34 PM • Jul 31, 2023
🍳🥚Crack open the excitement! X Coins joining the latest dev version is no yolk! It looks like our digital wallets might get heavier sooner than expected, as cryptos and collectibles are speeding towards us at the pace of a rocket-powered chicken! As for the dramatic changes and how to stay ahead, let's scramble to adapt and make sure we're not left shell-shocked. Keep your sunny side up!
Taco Bell was sued today in a false advertising class action.
Consumers allege that Taco Bell misrepresents the amount of beef in the Crunchwrap Supreme "by at least double the amount."
— Rob Freund (@RobertFreundLaw)
4:26 PM • Jul 31, 2023
🍳🥚 Holy guacamole! Taco Bell's in a bit of a hot sauce today! They're being taco-sued for allegedly having their beef measurements in the Crunchwrap Supreme go sour-cream-side down. Looks like customers are feeling a bit beefy about getting less meat than advertised - potentially only half of the promised fiesta! Remember, truth in advertising is not just a side order, it's the main course!
Today, Archer announced DoD commitment up to $142M.
This is the largest eVTOL commitment yet.
This wasn't an overnight success: my first Pentagon visit was in 2019, then formal DoD partnership in 2021, and today $142M.
Over time, all transport will move to electric.
— Brett Adcock (@adcock_brett)
6:41 PM • Jul 31, 2023
🍳🥚 "Fly me to the moon," says Archer to the Department of Defense! They've just announced a whopping $142M commitment - the highest yet in the eVTOL space. This ain't no quick scramble, folks. The journey took off in 2019, found a co-pilot in the DoD in 2021, and today, they're soaring to $142M! And the destination? An electric transport world. Buckle up, everybody
!
News Bites
Crypto Rally Revives: The chants for 'We're Gonna Make It' are back as multi-trillion dollar asset managers file for Bitcoin ETFs and new regions around the globe open up crypto trading, indicating a resurgence in the crypto rally.
Judicial Boost for Crypto: U.S. judges have ruled that popular tokens like XRP are not securities. This ruling is a crucial step towards mass adoption of cryptocurrencies and signals a positive shift in the legal perception of digital assets.
Usability Challenge in Crypto: Despite the array of features crypto offers, like NFTs, staking, lending, and more, the process remains challenging due to complex procedures and hard-to-use products, highlighting the need for a more user-friendly approach.
MetaMask Portfolio - The One-Stop Crypto Solution: MetaMask Portfolio offers a solution to the crypto usability problem by serving as a one-stop shop for everything crypto. This tool facilitates tracking, managing, buying, swapping, bridging, and staking crypto, all within a single platform.
Curve Finance Exploited: In a shocking incident, Curve Finance was exploited and over $100M in crypto is now at risk. This event underscores the inherent risks in the crypto industry and the constant need for improved security measures.
Binance Secures MVP License in Dubai: Binance has made history by becoming the first exchange in the world to receive an operational MVP license in Dubai. This marks a significant milestone in Binance's global expansion journey.
That's a wrap for this edition!
I've seen significant shifts in tech and business, shaping our future in fascinating ways.
Stay tuned for our next edition for more updates. Until then, keep innovating and exploring!