WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- Travel Mart Inc. has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with Dunkin' Brands Inc. for eight new restaurants in Madison, Wis., and the surrounding area. The companies said they anticipate that the first two locations will open in 2011 and the remainder by 2014.
Dunkin' Donuts said its development in Madison is part of a steady growth strategy that includes expanding in existing markets while entering new cities across the country.
Travel Mart, a retailer of fuel and food products in convenience stores, is owned by the Gussel family [image-nocss] of Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The company has 10 locations throughout the area that are managed by Gary Gussel, president of Travel Mart. The family also owns Holiday Wholesale Inc., a distributor of food and sundry products and Vacationland Vendors Inc., a vending and amusement services company.
This development agreement sells out Madison for future franchise sales; however, franchising opportunities are still available in a variety of U.S. cities in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Opportunities also exist throughout Florida, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Illinois and Michigan, among other states.
To drive its expansion efforts, Dunkin' Donuts has aligned its strategy to support the growth opportunities and consumer needs of individual markets. As a result, the company continues to expand with single and multi-unit opportunities and no minimum unit requirements, it said.
Ideally, franchisees should possess a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $250,000, but financial qualifications will vary based on the opportunity available by market. This evolution of Dunkin' Donuts' franchise sales effort enables the brand to expand in markets more aggressively, while balancing its market penetration and maturity.
Building a solid network of stores within a market enables Dunkin' Donuts to invest in a distribution model that provides a consistent, high-quality product customers expect "in the way and on the way" of their daily routines, it added. In an effort to keep the brand fresh and competitive, Dunkin' Donuts' portfolio of development options offers flexible concepts for any real-estate format including freestanding stores, end caps, in-line sites, gas and convenience, travel plazas, universities, as well as other retail environments.
Historically a doughnut and hot coffee chain, Dunkin' Donuts has expanded its offering to include frozen and iced beverages, a full bakery assortment including bagels and muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and an all-day oven-toasted menu that includes flatbread sandwiches, hash browns and buttermilk biscuits. The new platform marks the most significant change to Dunkin' Donuts product lineup since the company launched espresso-based beverages in 2003.
Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is an all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. The company has more than 8,800 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2008, Dunkin' Donuts' global system-wide sales were $5.5 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands.
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