"If you want to takeover a franchine business, would you take over a debt laden franchise business at massive discount or an establish money making franchise business at premium price."
It depends. Buying shares you have no control over how company is run. If you buy the entire business, if you're smart enough you can run better eg KBL paying too much $$$ to directors. Further, if you buy the entire business you can use cash from other business to pay down debt to zero and wait for gold price to pick up (if asset quality is good than it is worth while doing it).
KBL Price at posting:
0.2¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held