As a political junkie (and a professional lobbyist for over 30 years), I was listening intently last summer when the major party candidates for president gave their nomination acceptance speeches. Now, as we look ahead to the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as our nation’s 45th President, it’s worth pausing to reflect on something his…
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He came in with donuts and came out with tires and mufflers. Not literally, but let’s not quibble over the details. The figurative donuts-for-tires trade happened when Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee Eric Eskander struck up a conversation with a Meineke owner at the DDIFO National Conference two years ago. Eskander wasn’t looking to diversify his portfolio,…
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Last year, sales of ready-to-drink coffee continued its meteoric rise—jumping 14 percent to $2.5 billion. It was the fourth straight year of double-digit growth. No Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner would be surprised to learn that Starbucks controls 75 percent of the ready-to-drink coffee market. It’s why franchisees were generally pleased to hear the news that…
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For as long as people could remember, cold frothy drinks came from the Baskin Robbins side of the house. But, it’s Baskin’s big brother that is bringing nitrogen-infused iced coffee to customers at Dunkin’ Donuts counters in several test markets. Nitro cold brew is the latest innovation sweeping the already hot iced coffee market. Dunkin’…
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When Colleen Bailey walked into her local Dunkin’ in Rockland, Maine, she knew she would get donuts and coffee. She didn’t know she’d fall in love, get married and eventually own nine Dunkin shops of her own. “Ed owned the Dunkin’ and I lived right up the street from it. That’s how we met,” says…
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When advising clients on the acquisition of a multi-unit franchise network, we are often posed the age-old question: “Should we own the assets in one entity or multiple entities?” At the risk of sounding too much like a lawyer, the answer to this question is, “It depends.” Each franchisee has a unique set of hot…
Read More »Talk to any member of any community group in any city or town where there is a Dunkin’ Donuts, and he or she will tell you about the time their local franchisee made a donation to some worthy cause. Whether it is to Special Olympics, the local little league or the neighborhood parish, franchisees are…
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If there was one theme that ran throughout the recent DDIFO National Conference held at Foxwoods Resort Casino, it was “Be vigilant.” The theme framed discussions on franchising, government relations, Dunkin’ Brands’ new franchise agreement and the competitive landscape facing QSRs like Dunkin’ Donuts. And while some speakers presented the theme in more desperate terms…
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