Dunkin' Donuts development in Tri-Cities is part of a growth strategy that includes expanding in existing markets while entering new cities across the country.
Johnson City, Tenn.-based Roadrunner Markets currently [image-nocss] operates 90 convenience stores under the Shell, BP, Chevron and Sunoco brands. The principals of the company have extensive experience in the development, acquisition, construction and operation of c-stores in the states of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. In addition, they have negotiated contracts, developed space and acted as landlord for 16 fast-food franchises.
This development agreement sells out Tri-Cities for future franchise sales for Dunkin Donuts; however, franchising opportunities are still available in a variety of cities in the U.S. within the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast, the company said. 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 has continued to expand with single and multi-unit opportunities with no minimum unit requirements, it said.
Dunkin' Donuts offers flexible concepts for any real-estate format including freestanding stores, endcaps, in-line sites, gas and convenience, travel plazas, universities, as well as other retail environments.
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, it added, while balancing its market penetration and maturity.
"Dunkin' Donuts is excited to expand its footprint in Tri-Cities with Roadrunner Markets," said Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of franchising and market planning for Dunkin' Brands Inc.
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.
Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, and donut, bagel and muffin categories. It 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.
In other company news, Roadrunner Markets presented the Washington County-Johnson City United Way with a $50,000 check Monday, reported TriCities.com. "Our stores are in this community, a large chunk are in the Washington County community, and so are our employees," Roadrunner Markets COO John Kelly told the paper. "Hopefully, this is a way of us giving back to the community."
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