Dunkin' Donuts announces the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with two existing franchise groups to develop 46 restaurants in Indiana over the next several years.
The two franchise groups and their development plans include existing franchise group Kings Point Ventures, led by Alex Smigelski, Tom Hughes and Tom Carpenter, with plans to develop 38 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Ten will be located outside of the major metropolitan area. The group currently operates over 70 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in several states, and their next restaurant is planned to open in 2015.
Existing franchisee Bud Patel plans to develop eight Dunkin' Donuts locations in Lafayette and Indianapolis. Three of these new restaurants will be located in smaller towns and communities outside Lafayette and Indianapolis. Patel currently operates over 20 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the metropolitan Chicago area and Davenport, Iowa. Jay Punukollu, Patel's partner with a background in the QSR industry, will be responsible for overseeing the daily restaurant operations in Lafayette. The duo's first restaurant is planned to open in 2016, and the remainder by 2019.
Currently, there are nearly 30 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants located throughout Indiana, and the company is continuing to recruit franchisees in the cities of Evansville and Terre Haute. To help fuel growth in Indiana, special development incentives are available which include reduced royalty fees for three years and up to $10,000 in local store marketing support for timely openings.
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, universities, as well as other retail environments.
"Our secret to continued growth includes passionate franchisees who provide a high-level of customer service to our guests every day," said Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of global franchising and business development, Dunkin' Brands. "We are excited that these existing franchise groups have chosen to grow the brand in the Indiana market, and believe they will cultivate lasting customer relationships and become an integral part of the communities they serve."