Dunkin' Donuts is not just a donut store anymore -- it is America's leading seller of coffee by the cup with over 8,000 locations in 34 states and 31 countries. Is a Dunkin Donuts for you?
Instructions
1. Consider whether a Dunkin' Donuts franchise is for you. The franchisor company -- Dunkin Brands -- is looking for franchisees with business restaurant experience. The company will franchise individual restaurants but stresses selling franchise territories.
2. Research Dunkin' Donuts franchising and available opportunities. Carefully review the Dunkin Brands franchise website. (See link at end of this article.) Pay special attention to available market territories.
3. Contact Dunkin Brands through its website or call 877-938-6546 or 1-781-737-3000.
4. Decide whether you want to establish a new Dunkin' Donuts or buy an existing franchise. An existing franchise will have a sales track record but probably will command a good will fee to the current owner. Ask to see records going back several years if you are considering an existing Dunkin' Donuts. Beware if the fees for an existing restaurant seem too low -- the owner or company may know something about the area such as another restaurant being planned nearby and is trying to bail out.
5. Consider co-branding. Dunkin Brands also owns Baskin Robbins, a well-known ice cream franchise chain. A co-branded restaurant may increase your sales but will also be more expensive to buy.
6. Carefully research possible locations. Will there be adequate customer traffic? Does the location have easy and safe road access? Is any road construction planned in front of or near the site? Are there other restaurants located or planned near the site? How close is the nearest Dunkin' Donuts ?
7. Carefully review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Under Federal law, you must be given 10 days to review the FDD before you sign anything or pay any money. The FDD must include names of current and former Dunkin' Donuts franchise owners. Contact some of them to discuss their experiences with the company. See if a current franchisee will let you observe the operations of his business.
8. Prepare a business plan for your Dunkin' Donuts.
9. After your sign the FDD and pay your fees, either construction will begin on your new Dunkin' Donuts, negotiations will begin on a building lease, or negotiations for an existing Dunkin' Donuts will commence.
10. Take the Dunkin' Donuts franchisee training program.
11. Open your new Dunkin' Donuts. If it is a new restaurant, you will do a grand opening.
12. Manage for success. Next to quality control and cleanliness, finding, motivating, and retaining good employees will be the key to your success.
13. Can't afford a Dunkin' Donuts? See below for financing ideas. There's also lots of other possibilities, such as Pizza Hut and Quiznos. See below links for details.
