DUNKIN' DONUTS MAJOR EXPANSION IN THE VALLEY
The Dunkin' Donuts chain said that it plans a major expansion in metropolitan Phoenix by increasing its number of stores from 15 to about 150 during the next few years. "We have recommitted the company to go back into Phoenix and get(expansion) done the way we think its got to be done," said Robert Rodriguez, Dunkin' Donuts brand president. "There's no question that (150 stores) is an aggressive number, but we feel very confident that we can achieve that number." The Canton, Mass. based chain plans to build free-standing stores with drive-through service and place stores within shopping centers and other retail centers. The first of the new locations, all franchisee-owned and operated, could open within the next 18 months.The expansion is part of Dunkin' Donuts' strategy to triple the number of its stores in the United States to 15,000 by 2020, company officials said.
