Dunkin' Donuts Announces Its First Minneapolis Franchisee

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Existing Dunkin' Donuts' Franchisee and Partners to Open More Than 20 New Restaurants

CANTON, Mass., Jan. 29 // PRNewswire // -- Dunkin' Donuts, America's favorite everyday, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods, announced today the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with Peter Turner, as principle, together with several partners for the development of more than 20 new restaurants in suburban Minneapolis.

Prior to retiring from the military in 2007, Turner began to explore his options and found the International Franchise Association's Veterans Transition Franchise (VetFran) Initiative. Through this program, Turner investigated several franchising opportunities, ultimately deciding upon Dunkin' Donuts. In addition to the 20-plus units slated to open in Minneapolis, Turner, a Minneapolis native, has committed to open an additional 12 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Raleigh/Durham, NC.

While off to an exciting start with Turner, Dunkin' Donuts continues to seek new franchisees to commit to develop a minimum of 20 restaurants in the Twin Cities. Currently, there are four development areas still available in the Twin Cities. Dunkin' Donuts development of Minneapolis is part of a steady and strategic growth strategy, which includes expanding in existing markets while entering new cities across the country to help direct the company's future growth.

Dunkin' Donuts is excited to welcome Peter Turner and his partners as the first Dunkin' Donuts' franchisee to the Minneapolis market," says Lynette McKee, CFE, vice president of franchising, Dunkin' Brands, Inc. "As an existing Dunkin' Donuts franchisee, Peter brings a wealth of knowledge to Minneapolis, and we think he'll be able to hit the ground running. We look forward to his presence in the market."

Building a network of restaurants enables Dunkin' Donuts to invest in a distribution model that ensures consistent, high-quality products that customers expect when visiting a Dunkin' Donuts location. In an effort to keep the brand fresh and competitive, Dunkin' Donuts offers franchisees a variety of designs and venues, including free-standing stores, sites within shopping centers and convenience stores, as well as other retail environments.

According to McKee, "Dunkin' Donuts will satisfy a growing demand in Minneapolis for high quality coffee and baked goods that are available all day. Dunkin' Donuts is proud to energize Americans and keep the honest, hard-working, value-driven people of this country running every day -- whether it's in a boardroom, a schoolroom or a construction site. We look forward to being a vibrant part of the community and playing an important role in the daily lives of the people who live and work in and around Minneapolis."

"I am proud to be the first to bring Dunkin' Donuts' to Minneapolis," said Peter Turner. "We look forward to being a vibrant part of the community and playing an important role in the daily lives of the people who live and work here."

At the end of July, Dunkin' Donuts announced the launch of DDSMART, the brand's first menu of better-for-you options. Menu items include both new and existing Dunkin' Donut's food and beverages that meet one of the following criteria: 25 percent fewer calories; 25 percent less sugar, fat, saturated fat or sodium than comparable products, and /or contain ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial. DDSMART branded items became available in August in all participating restaurants nationwide.

Prior to DDSMART, Dunkin' Donuts launched its new, all-day Oven-Toasted menu. The new platform marks the most significant change to Dunkin' Donuts product lineup since the company launched espresso-based beverages in 2003. The menu items are available nationwide in participating cities.

About Dunkin' Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite everyday, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is the #1 retailer of hot and iced regular coffee-by-the-cup in America, and the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world. Dunkin' Donuts has earned the #1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for two years running. The company has more than 7,900 restaurants in 30 countries worldwide. In 2007, Dunkin' Donuts' global system-wide sales were $5.3 billion. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands, Inc

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