Dunkin’ Donuts is looking for dozens of central Ohio residents to join its ranks.
The company is on a mission to open 83 franchise locations in the next five years and wants Fairfield County to be part of that list of new stores.
Company officials hope to stir up Fairfield County residents or others who are interested in owning a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise with this announcement.
“We love to have local people because they know their neighbors; they know the culture; and that works for a great relationship with the retailer in the area,” said Lynette McKee, vice president of franchising for Dunkin’ Donuts.
The Massachusetts-based company is the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world and sells more hot regular coffee, doughnuts and bagels than any other quick service restaurant in America, according to a press release from the company.
The company plans to increase its number of stores in the United States to 15,000 by 2020.
The company is expanding in new markets that include Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
“We are on a great growth mode,” McKee said. “It’s interesting because as we begin to go into markets where we had a strong presence before, it really does create excitement.”
McKee said the company is looking for multi-unit operators that could develop five locations over a period of time. Those locations could include free-standing doughnut shops, shops located in a strip center, or kiosk shops that would be found in a mall setting or other venue.
Once local franchisees are secured, the Dunkin’ Donuts location will be determined.
“We’re trying to develop in areas where it’s convenient for our customer base,” McKee said.
The new restaurants will resemble a prototype that was unveiled in 2005 and is reminiscent of the company’s roots. The new design features a new, modernized appearance and advanced equipment, resulting in an improved overall in-store and drive-thru experience, according to the company press release.
McKee said the company doesn’t provide financing for prospective franchisees.
“But we have relationships with lenders who are very interested in working with the franchisee community,” she said.
By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA for The Eagle-Gazette