Candidates for the short list of ten supercharged companies had to demonstrate a return on equity comfortably above their historical norms, to have debt no higher than 40% of stockholders' equity and to be targeted by Wall Street analysts for 20% or better growth in earnings per share for fiscal year 2000.

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Their dividends are variable, their cash flows less certain and therefore an equity risk premium should exist which compensates stockholders for their junior position in the capital structure.

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Along with the company's board of directors, he's rejected a plan pushed by private equity firm Pershing Square Capital to sell off some company-owned restaurants and distribute the proceeds to stockholders through dividends and share buybacks.

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