While Dunkin’ Donuts will be making its way to Hawaii, it will be a couple of years before it hits Kauai. “The intention is to start on Oahu to build the brand and get the wrinkles out,” said Richard Parry,
While Dunkin’ Donuts will be making its way to Hawaii, it will be a couple of years before it hits Kauai.
“The intention is to start on Oahu to build the brand and get the wrinkles out,” said Richard Parry, president and CEO of Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. “We plan to build three or four sites in about three years on Oahu and branch out to neighbor islands from there.”
On Monday, the coffee company announced it signed a multi-unit store development agreement with Aloha Petroleum, Ltd., an Oahu-based franchise group.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to launch the Dunkin’ Donuts brand in Hawaii, and look forward to opening our first location early next year,” Parry said. “This new business venture will complement our existing retail offerings throughout the islands and help us diversify our portfolio.”
As part of the partnership, Dunkin’ Donuts plans to open 15 locations. The first Dunkin’ Donuts shops are slated to open in 2017 on Oahu.
“Our enthusiastic and dedicated franchisees contribute to our brand’s growth, which has helped solidify our position as one of the fastest growing brands by unit count in the quick-service restaurant industry,” said Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of global franchising and business development, Dunkin’ Brands. “We are thrilled that Aloha Petroleum will be developing the brand throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and are also pleased to announce that even more of America will be Running on Dunkin’ since this agreement marks our upcoming entry into our 42nd state.”
Parry expects 30 to 40 people will be hired to work at the first store.
In the meantime, Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. has researched Kauai to see if it’s a good fit for Dunkin’ Donuts, Parry said.
“We’ve done some primary looks to see if there’s interest on Kauai,” he said. “We’re intending on coming to Kauai, but we don’t have a specific time yet.”
Given the success with Subway franchises in gas stations and convenience stores Aloha Petroleum owns on Kauai, Parry hopes Dunkin’ Donuts will follow in those footsteps.
“Subway was a good fit (for Kauai), so we started thought what else would be a good fit,” he said.
The project to bring Dunkin’ Donuts to Hawaii began about five years ago with Aloha Petroleum Ltd. wanted to expand their convenient food industry.
“We found that there was a need for people to have something convenient for a snack or breakfast,” Parry said.
After starting their own convenient food programs, Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. decided to look at various franchises.
Discussions with Dunkin Donuts started about 18 months ago, Parry added.
Parry hopes to build more than 15 stores.
“People in Hawaii like their cups of coffee and donuts, so it’s a good fit,” he said. “Starbucks has done well here; it shows people like coffee.”
