Baton Rouge, Louisiana — The three Baton Rouge Dunkin’ Donuts locations have been celebrating National Coffee Day, which was Tuesday, all week by giving customers a free cup of coffee. But the promotion is about more than just coffee: It’s about elevating the brand’s profile in the market as the new owner of the local stores prepares to expand.
Tampa, Florida-based franchisee Vik Patel acquired the three Baton Rouge Dunkin’ Donuts locations from two franchisees in early August and is planning to open two new stores in the market early next year. He has been scouting locations and has several possible sites in the southeast portion of the parish.
We’ve kicked around six or seven deals near LSU, Siegen Millerville, all over Baton Rouge
says Patel, who in three years has grown the number of Dunkin’ Donuts stores in the Tampa market from 45 to 160. “We’re far enough along with a couple of sites we’re confident we’ll have a deal or two signed by the end of the year.”
The local donut market has become increasingly competitive in recent years with the expansion of market leader Mary Lee Donuts, which recently opened its 20th store, and the entrance of several independent specialty donut shops like Mr. Ronnie’s Famous Hot Donuts and Tiger Deaux-Nuts. But Patel believes there’s plenty of room for Dunkin’ Donuts, which is a Massachusetts-based chain that has never really penetrated the Louisiana market.
Baton Rouge Business Report
Stephanie Riegel
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