Paul Grimaldi reports in the Providence Journal that a Vermont businessman hopes to ring up perhaps the most important sale of his career in late 2009 when he tries to get a jury to side with him in a prolonged dispute with Dunkin’ Donuts. Irwin Barkan, of Waitsfield, Vt., will return here Dec. 2 as the dispute goes to trial in federal court –– four years after the coffee shop chain and its former franchisee became embroiled in the legal battle.
Mark Calvey reports in the San Francisco Business Times that Visa Inc. and its banking clients who rely on the San Francisco company’s payment network to handle card transactions are fighting lawmakers on yet another front: the fees merchants pay to process a card transaction. Three bills in Congress would limit so-called interchange fees when banking issues are the hot topic.
In light of the current economic recession, Dunkin’ franchise owners are rightfully being even more vigilant about the bottom line. The DDIFO is mindful of this and wants to help its members identify ways to save money and boost profits. DDIFO Sponsor, Performance Business Solutions, LLC (PBS) and its sister company, MS Consultants, LLC offer services in areas franchisees might not be aware of that can make a significant difference in terms of reducing business expenses, particularly in the area of tax savings.
Rachel Bernstein reports in the Baltimore Business Journal that the National Aquarium in Baltimore and Dunkin’ Donuts have launched a campaign to give customers extra jelly filling. The campaign, called “One Sweet Deal,” gives Dunkin’ Donuts customers a $5 off admission to the aquarium’s jellyfish exhibit. The coupons can be picked up at the more than 100 Dunkin’ Donut locations in Greater Baltimore.
Karlene Lukovitz writes at MediaPost.com that Dunkin’ Brands’ Thursday announcement that it is “strengthening” its senior leadership team by putting veteran retail executive John Costello in the new position of chief global customer and marketing officer also carried the news that Frances Allen, brand marketing officer for Dunkin’ Donuts for two years, has concurrently “decided to step down.”
Elissa Elan reports in Nation’s Restaurant News that Dunkin’ Donuts debuted its fall menu this week, which includes three new items: a low-fat apple caramel muffin, a spiced apple twist and a pumpkin-coffee flavored Coolatta blended beverage. Returning items to Dunkin’s fall menu include a pumpkin doughnut, a pumpkin muffin, fall-theme Munchkins doughnut hole treats, a Fall Harvest yeast ring doughnut, a pumpkin latte and pumpkin coffee.
Diana Ransom reports at Smart Money SmallBiz.com that if you have been to a fast food restaurant lately, you’ve probably seen some of the fallout of the downturn. You may have eaten some of it, too. In an effort to convince consumers to open their wallets wider, franchisors are not only requiring franchisees to officiate (and pay for) new promotions, they’re also requiring them to serve new products, extend operating hours and hand over more of their profits.
South Florida Business Journal reports, according to the National Association of Business Economists (NABE) that “The great recession is over.” The proclamation is based on a survey of professional forecasters, who also caution that the recovery will take place slowly as large increases in federal debt and unemployment rates are expected to remain very high through next year.
The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that Starbucks Corp. said its Via instant coffee product will be available nationally on Wednesday. And to overcome the negative image of instant coffee, the Seattle coffee giant said it will stage taste competitions between Via and its fresh-brewed coffee next week.
Leslie Gaydos reports at NECN that Tuesday September 29th, was National Coffee Appreciation Day, a holiday sure to give some a jolt. The big players were aware of the date, as McDonald’s brought in Nell Newman, Paul’s daughter, the president and co-founder of Newman’s Own Organics. They had lunch at the Ronald McDonald House in Providence.
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