Ray Kroc once said

[Steve]

As Ray Kroc was building McDonalds his staff had warned him competitors were spying on his business. Sending in people to work inside McDonalds to learn their business practices. Ray told them he wasn't concerned and that his competitors could take his operations manual and still not do things as good as he could. Why? Because he said what his company did was part of his company's culture. It was engrained in the managers and employees. Another company would not be able to duplicate it's culture so therefore it would not be able to duplicate it's results.
Decades later, it appears the same thing holds true.

Do you feel the same about your business or not? And why?

[tiedeman]

Yes and no. I think that someone can take a business blueprint from another company, and make it successful. But can they make it exactly as the other, no probably not 100%.

[Steve]

The thing I find differs GREATLY amongst business owners is drive.

Talk to others you know who own businesses. Ask them where they see themselves in 1, 2, 5, 10 years. If they tell you things that are just over the top crazy, like they want to be the number one company in their industry, you get a sense they are driven.

If you hear they don't really want to do much more than they are now, then they have reached their goal.

These two people will achieve two very different results.

Ray Kroc wanted to rule the world with McDonalds and the company continues onward even after his death.