How to Play the World Series

Perhaps you prefer to order in some pizza, in which case, let's take a look at three national pizza chains: Domino's(DPZ), Papa John's(PZZA) and Pizza Hut, which is owned by Yum! Brands(YUM). These pizza chains have added more variety to their takeout and delivery menus with items such as chicken wings, salads, pastas and sandwiches. On a fundamental basis, I like Yum! the best because it operates several brands in addition to Pizza Hut, including Taco Bell, KFC, A&W and Long John Silver's, with tremendous growth outside the U.S., particularly in China.

I cover the entire food and beverage industry in my newsletter, The LakeView Restaurant & Food Chain Index.

Media

Fox Sports, a News Corp.(NWS) television network, will be covering the World Series. Working in Fox's favor is that the World Series is between a New York team and a Philadelphia team. The New York metro area is the largest in the nation, with about 19 million people, and the Philadelphia metro area is the fifth largest, with nearly 6 million people. Together they represent about 8% of the total U.S. population. The ultimate media combination would be New York vs. Los Angeles, but that was not fated to happen in 2009.

Another factor that could work in Fox's favor is the length of the World Series. It's a best-out-of-seven-games competition, so the longer it takes for a team to win four games, the more games Fox will broadcast. That means more viewership and more commercial advertising.

May the best team win!

-- Written by Scott Rothbort in Millburn, N.J.

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