In 1999, Three Investors Start a Local Coffee Shop

Multiple Choice

In 1999, three investors start a local coffee shop. By 2004, the original shop has expanded to six locations but is still owned by the three original investors. In 2011, the chain has now expanded to 640 locations in eight states, the original investors decide they will take the company public, and it is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. How would this company be defined in 2011?

A) privately (or closely) held
B) publicly traded
C) a benefit corporation
D) funded by venture capital