Bill Daly: Company man turned franchisee

When he came to the stage to accept the honor of being inducted into the DDIFO Hall of Fame, Bill Daly shared a story from his first day as a franchisee. Daly, who had spent 29 years as a company man, in both the Howdy Beef ’n’ Burger and Dunkin’ Donuts systems before buying Dunkin’ Donuts shops in New Bedford, Mass, recalled walking into his shop and seeing long-time franchisees John Henderson and Joe Prazeres cleaning and organizing his back rooms.

“They had come over from Rhode Island to help out. It was 5 o’clock in the morning and John said to me, ‘you’re a franchisee now and franchisees take care of one another.’ It was something I never forgot,”

Bill Daly always wanted to be a franchise owner and, with the encouragement of his family, he made the leap in 1999. Today, his family owns a network of stores in Massachusetts and Florida. Bill’s children run the day-to-day business now. He has one grandson who is working part time at a DD—learning the business his grandfather learned from the men who started it all. For Bill, the continuity of the franchise community is something he holds dear.

“The loyalty within the franchisee community is still there. They take care of each other through the various committees and the DDIFO. It’s all about watching out for one another, taking care of one another. Making sure it is the way it should be.”

As he addressed the crowd of franchisees and friends in the Miranda Ballroom at the Rio Hotel, Daly noted how the culture within the Dunkin’ system is the same today as it was years ago, when the guys from Rhode Island came over to help the new guy get his stores up and running.

Carlos Andrade: A trail blazer

There are a few Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners who are recognized as true trailblazers. One of them is Carlos Andrade, the second of three 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. When he first came to work at his cousin Manny’s shop in Providence in the early 1970’s, Carlos hadn’t imagined how Dunkin’ would grow—or how his family would grow along with it.

Before Carlos took the stage to accept his honor, his friend and long-time attorney Carl Lisa told the assembled crowd that Carlos was always full of energy, always ready to jump in and help others.

“When the opportunities came to buy a new store and expand his business, Carlos was ready. He never considered sitting still,” Lisa said.

“We were buying stores and I needed more help, so I called my friends and my family and we worked together,” added Carlos.

Over the years, Carlos helped countless people get involved in the Dunkin’ system and reap its rewards. He demonstrated his passion for the business – and his commitment to the franchisees – through his work on advisory councils, committees and with DDIFO.

Reflecting on his induction, Carlos joked, “I’m too young to be in the Hall of Fame,” but then struck a serious note saying, “We need to recognize people in other markets, the Chicago market and the New York market [for example]. There are franchisees there who have been in the business 40 years, 50 years and we have to be aware of them and reward them for what they have done.”

When asked his thoughts on the state of the Dunkin’ Donuts business today, Carlos said, “The second and third generations are the ones leading us now and this is what will take this company to the next level.”

Joe Batista: I loved making the donuts

Joe Batista, worked in a factory before he took a job as a baker at Manny Andrade’s Broad Street store in Providence, RI. A year later, he bought his own shop and began a career that was exciting, rewarding and memorable. Through his years as a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner, Joe loved interacting with people—his customers, his co-workers, and his family.

“Coming from the factory, it was like walking into the sunshine,” he said. “It was exciting and it was a real education for me.”

His favorite memory was making donuts and selling them to his customers. “I loved making the donuts,” he remembered fondly.

Looking back, Joe said he never expected back then that Dunkin’ Donuts would grow the way it has.

“It’s because of this unique American phenomenon we call franchising, where everybody pulls together, not just one single entity. It’s a collective effort.”

Joe sold his network and is now retired, but still feels his connection to the system and to DDIFO. “This organization [DDIFO] is very important to the system, it helps even things out and it’s important to recognize the people who have done well as franchisees,” Joe said. “I am very appreciative to be in the Hall of Fame.

With the inclusion of this year’s group, there are now 22 men and women in the DDIFO Hall of Fame. It is a testament to the legacy of Dunkin’ Donuts and to the pioneers who helped build the brand. It is also a wonderful reminder of how hard work, commitment and loyalty transcend the years and remain the building blocks of happiness and success.