Back in the 1980’s, I was running a real estate trade organization when housing costs were exploding, with no apparent end in sight. Even luxury housing was difficult to come by, and not what buyers were really looking for. As it always does, the market responded to the need, and gave us… McMansions! Today, Wikipedia…
Read More »
In the push to grow same-store sales, franchisees across the Dunkin’ Donuts footprint are focusing on Generation Y—the generation known as millennials. There are more than 80 million of these 18-33 year olds with over a trillion dollars in buying power and a huge influence on older generations like the Baby Boomers. According to the…
Read More »
When Aziz Hashim’s family left London and moved to California, he found work at his uncle’s Burger King Restaurant and was immediately immersed in the franchise world. The job helped him pay for college. After graduating and landing a position as an electrical engineer, Hashim thought his days spent in the retail franchise business were…
Read More »
Small business owners of all kinds are realizing that environmental awareness and eco-friendly business models are not only appealing to their customers, but are also beneficial to their bottom line. Dunkin’ Brands knows their franchisees are no exception. In 2012, the brand used its Corporate Social Responsibility Report to announce its commitment to using better…
Read More »
Between 2007 and 2013 McDonalds added five dozen new items to its menu, bringing the total number of offerings to 145. The brand was following the long-established tenet that new choices keep a brand relevant and exciting. Then during an earnings call this year, McDonalds Chief Operating Officer Tim Fenton changed direction. “We need to…
Read More »
Running several Dunkin’ Donuts stores in Virginia isn’t just a job for Andy Rod. It’s about spreading the feeling of home and supporting family. Rod, who is 52, grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey, where the Dunkin’ shops were a familiar sight. “We went to Dunkin’ all the time as a kid and I really…
Read More »
Brace yourself: An avalanche of minimum wage hikes, mandated sick leave laws and new menu labeling requirements is headed your way with the arrival of winter. Republicans may have taken control of Congress during the watershed November elections, but activists scored their victories in states and cities across the country, as well—especially in the area…
Read More »
To help franchisees determine which brands to purchase, Hashim founded NRD Capital, the first multi-unit franchisee sponsored and managed private equity firm. “If you want to buy shares of Coca-Cola, you can read hundreds of analyst reviews on that, but if you want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on something that could be…
Read More »
Chicago has become the largest city to date to jack up the minimum wage, a move that comes even as efforts to raise the rate across Illinois have bogged down. Workers in the Windy City will earn at least $13 an hour starting in 2019 after Mayor Rahm Emanuel won approval for the boost on…
Read More »
Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher, said, “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” For Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners, that first step began with the acquisition of their first shop. Whether that journey ends with the death of the franchisee, or continues into the next generation, rests largely with the…
Read More »