Dunkin' Donuts Announces First Franchisee in Birmingham, AL

By: Dunkin' | 1,014 Shares 507 Reads

RFS, LLC to Open 21 New Restaurants; Birmingham's First Dunkin' Donuts

CANTON, Mass., March 11 // PRNewswire // -- Dunkin' Donuts, America's favorite all-day, everyday, stop for coffee and baked goods, announced today the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with RFS, LLC for the development of 21 restaurants in the Birmingham market. The franchisee's plans call for one unit to open in the next 12 months, and the balance within the next 5 to 6 years. Dunkin' Donuts opened franchise development for the entire state of Alabama in the Spring of 2008. On February 11, 2009 Dunkin' Donuts opened its first South Alabama store -- in Dothan (2141 Ross Clark Circle).

The principles of RFS, LLC are local Birmingham businessmen. The leadership of RFS views the opportunity to develop the Dunkin' Donuts brand as a long-term investment in the local community and they understand the development objectives of the local business community and identify Dunkin' Donuts brand as one they believe fills a need in Birmingham and surrounding communities.

"We are proud to bring Dunkin' Donuts' to Birmingham, AL," said a spokesperson for RFS, LLC. "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."

In addition to the 21 units purchased by RFS, Dunkin' is looking for new franchisees to purchase a minimum of five restaurants in Greater Birmingham including the surrounding counties of Clay, Calhoun, Culiman, Winston, Walker, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Cherokee, Hale, Greene, Pickens, Fayette, & Marion. Dunkin' Donuts development of Birmingham and the state of Alabama 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 RFS as the first franchisee to the Birmingham market," says Lynette McKee, CFE, vice president of franchising, Dunkin' Brands, Inc. "These restaurants will satisfy a growing demand in Birmingham for high quality coffee and baked goods that are available all day."

Building a network of restaurants also 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 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 the community."

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 three 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.

SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts

###