As franchisee lawyers, franchisees often ask us about a franchisor’s right to set franchisees’ prices. Most franchisees assume they can set their own pricing, and many claim it is an antitrust violation for a franchisor to set their prices. Unfortunately, that is not generally the case, and the answer is a bit more complicated. With…
Read More »
For two years, Dunkin’ franchisees have had to operate under unprecedented regulatory conditions due to the pandemic – from mandatory store shutdowns to proof-of-vaccination orders. But could the regulatory nightmare finally be coming to an end? It sure looks like it, based on political and coronavirus-immunity trends of late. Still, there will be no shortage…
Read More »
At one time, omicron was known by most people as a Greek letter. The word literally means “little O.” But today, the word has followed the virus it is named for as a phenomenon that swept the planet. In many ways, governments and business have responded the way they did nearly two years ago, when…
Read More »
Most would agree that a salad and coffee doesn’t evoke the same feeling as a donut and coffee. But, prepackaged salads have made their way into six Dunkin’ shops—three in Chicago and three in Clark, New Jersey, about 25 miles west of New York City. The Chicago-based company, Farmer’s Fridge, is supplying Dunkin’ the salads…
Read More »
Dunkin’ completed the national rollout of its simplified menu last April, removing 10 percent of all required menu items and eliminating another 23 optional products that the brand described as “slow moving, complex and off strategy.” Judging by the responses from a sampling of franchise operators on the East coast and Ohio markets, the move…
Read More »
To paraphrase Paul Revere’s famous warning: “Change is coming! Change is coming!” You know all about it: Dunkin’s menu simplification, aimed at improving the brand’s competitiveness by reducing the number of sandwiches and keeping the focus on beverages. In the Tampa area, franchisee Alex Fernandez gladly rolled out a menu reduction in early August, having…
Read More »
New competition has a knack of forcing change. In the QSR space, McDonald’s successful all-day breakfast promotion prompted Dunkin’ Donuts to make significant changes to its menu boards—both from a style and content perspective. Scott Hudler, chief digital officer for Dunkin’ Brands, spelled out the importance of the redesign in an interview with Bloomberg News…
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 »
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 »
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 »