In our continuing look at area businesses, today's Monday Movers piece profiles a local Dunkin Donuts store.In 1950, Bill Rosenberg opened the first Dunkin' Donuts shop in Quincy, Massachusetts. Dunkin' Donuts, which licensed the first of many franchises in 1955, is the world's largest coffee and baked goods chain, serving more than 3 million customers per day. Dunkin' Donuts sells 52 varieties of donuts and more than a dozen coffee beverages as well as an array of bagels, breakfast sandwiches and other baked goods.
At the end of 2007, there were 7,988 Dunkin' Donuts stores worldwide, including 5,769 franchised restaurants in the United States and 2,219 international shops in 30 countries.
Wake up Atlanta, it’s time to drink the coffee!
This past Saturday, the Brookhaven Dunkin Donuts (4040 Peachtree Road Northeast, 404-869-9244) had its re-grand opening after closing for a brief period of time to remodel.
Carrie Podber, founder of echaincommunity.com and marketing director for GOATLANTA, spoke to owners Kabir and Shabnam Panjwani about the Brookhaven business.
GOATLANTA: Talk a little bit about your business, how long in Atlanta, etc.
KABIR/SHABNAM PANJWANI: Our family has been a Dunkin Donuts franchisee since 1983, with our first location in Chicago, followed by Florida and then Atlanta. In 2000 we bought six locations from downtown Atlanta to Buckhead and in 2002 purchased the Brookhaven location. At its height, we owned 17 Dunkin Donuts locations. In 2000 my daughter, Shabnam, began working with me at the Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Ponce locations and moved her way up to management. We are in the process of transferring ownership of the Brookhaven location to Shabnam while I focus on other family-run businesses.
GA: Despite the tough economic times, how is your business making a go of it?
KP/SP: We are in a recession proof business - everyone needs their coffee. Dunkin Donuts has managed to keep their prices competitive with both their coffee and food products throughout the years. The one thing that has remained consistent has been the quality of the food and service.
GA: What was the reasoning behind the remodeling and what kind of work, expenses, etc. did it involve?
KP/SP: Dunkin Donuts has a standard practice of remodeling their stores every 10 years. In keeping up with the times, and coffee shops becoming a common place to gather with ones laptops, we decided it was time to move forward with the remodel of the Brookhaven location. We encourage entrepreneurs and small business owners to gather at Dunkin Donuts for their business meetings and to have a home office environment. We welcome the students in the surrounding college areas, assuring parents their kids are in a safe place to get their school work done.
The cost to remodel the Brookhaven location was $650,000 and is equipped with a lounge area with a fireplace, more outlets than there are seats, a fantastic front porch, free wireless and the best coffee and donuts in the state.
GA: How can the Dunkin Donuts business serve as a gathering place for Atlanta residents?
KP/SP: We have already noticed a change with our regulars. We have our regular drive-thru crowd, those that we know as soon as they arrive at the speaker have started to park their cars. People are making use of both the inside and outside and we anticipate even more regulars as spring sets in.
GA: Where do you see your business a year from now?
KP/SP : We have expansion plans of more remodeled Dunkin Donuts to come, with Shabnam taking over the family business in its entirety.
Editor's Note: "Coffee with Carrie" will be filmed at the Brookhaven Dunkin Donuts. Stay tuned for launch date and details. In the meantime, if you are looking to make business connections in the Atlanta area, visit: www.echaincommunity.com .
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