Leading Coffee and Bakery Brand Seeks Franchisee Candidates throughout Greater St. Louis, Missouri, and Iowa
Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, announced today the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with franchisee Sandwich Group, Inc., to develop nine Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri, including one multi-brand location with Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. The group’s first restaurant is planned to open in 2018.
Sandwich Group, Inc., consists of existing Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees Yonas Hagos and Haresh Patel, and new franchisees Faisal Raja and Kieron James. Both Hagos and Patel are experienced multi-unit operators; Hagos, a Purple Heart combat veteran, currently owns five Dunkin’ Donuts locations and two Baskin-Robbins stores, while Patel operates more than 60 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants, as well as other quick service restaurants. Raja also comes from an extensive franchising and small business background as a multi-unit operator in the fitness and insurance industries. James has a background in business and will serve as an operating owner.
“We couldn’t be more excited to develop Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, two iconic brands, in St. Louis. The team we’ve formed has a deep understanding of what it takes to be successful in multi-unit restaurant development and we’re looking forward to our first of many openings next year,” said Hagos, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins franchisee. “As we expand throughout St. Louis over the next five years, we hope to attract new customers, as well as longtime fans of the brands, and show them the premium products and quality service we have to offer.”
There are currently 17 Dunkin’ Donuts located in the Greater St. Louis area, and the company is continuing to recruit franchisees in the surrounding areas, as well as in Kansas City, Joplin, and Kirksville, Missouri, and in Des Moines, Iowa. To help fuel additional growth in the market, special development incentives are available.
“Dunkin’ Donuts’ and Baskin-Robbins’ growth would not be possible without the continued support of our existing franchisees and the introduction of new franchisees to the system, which continues to demonstrate their high confidence in our brands and world-class support team,” said Grant Benson, CFE, senior vice president of franchising and development, Dunkin’ Brands. “Our hard-working and dedicated franchisees bring the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands, products, and promotions to life each and every day and have been essential to our growth over the years, which has solidified our position as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry.”
In an effort to keep the brand fresh and competitive, Dunkin’ Donuts offers flexible concepts for any real estate format including free-standing restaurants, end caps, in-line sites, gas and convenience, travel plazas, and universities, as well as other retail environments. Additionally, multi-brand restaurants that combine Dunkin’ Donuts with Baskin-Robbins under one roof offer even more opportunity to drive traffic during various day parts — from early morning breakfast and coffee all the way to after-dinner ice cream treats.
Dunkin’ Donuts menu offerings include high-quality, freshly-brewed Hot and Iced Coffees, Cold Brew and Rainforest Alliance Certified Dark Roast, along with a Rainforest Alliance Certified espresso lineup that includes Americano, Cappuccino, Espresso, and Hot and Iced Lattes and Macchiato. Dunkin’ Donuts also serves a full menu of Premium Hot Teas, Coolatta frozen beverages, delicious donuts, bakery goods and sandwiches that pair perfectly with the brand’s beverages. Baskin-Robbins offers guests a delicious range of creative ice cream flavors, custom ice cream cakes, ice cream sundaes, frozen beverages and take-home frozen treats.
To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or www.BaskinRobbins.com. Like on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts or www.facebook.com/BaskinRobbins) and follow on Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts or www.twitter.com/BaskinRobbins).
With more than 20,000 points of distribution in more than 60 countries worldwide, Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) is one of the world’s leading franchisors of quick service restaurants (QSR) serving hot and cold coffee and baked goods, as well as hard-serve ice cream. At the end of the fourth quarter 2016, Dunkin’ Brands’ 100 percent franchised business model included more than 12,200 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants and more than 7,800 Baskin-Robbins restaurants. Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. is headquartered in Canton, Mass.
