Retail & Shopping Centers

Brunswick Business Journal Staff Report

July 29, 2017 - Dunkin' Donuts announced  the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchise group FLMS Foods, Inc. this week. The company plans to develop five new restaurants in Brunswick, Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach areas. The first restaurant is planned to open in Fall 2017.

FLMS Foods, Inc. led by Alex F. Fernandez and his two sons and partners, Alex D. and Randy Fernandez, have extensive restaurant, retail and operational experience. This group joined the Dunkin' Donuts brand in 2011 and currently owns and operates six Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Jacksonville and six in Tampa.

In addition to this week’s announcement, they have plans to open two more locations in the Tampa area. As part of this new multi-store development agreement, the group plans to develop new locations in Nassau County, Florida, and in Camden, Pierce, and Glynn counties in Georgia, among others.

"We are thrilled to expand the brand's presence in Northern Florida and Southern Georgia and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit in these communities," said Alex F. Fernandez, Dunkin' Donuts franchisee. "We have a passion and loyalty for the Dunkin' Donuts brand and look forward to opening our new restaurants in the years to come."

The brand is continuing to recruit franchisees throughout the South in Memphis, Tennessee, and in Greenwood, Jackson, Meridian, and Tupelo, Mississippi. There are currently 85 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants located throughout Tennessee and Mississippi. To help fuel additional growth in both states, special development incentives are available.

"We are pleased to continue our expansion plans in Florida and Georgia with existing franchisee FLMS Foods, Inc., working toward our long-term goal of developing 17,000 Dunkin' Donuts in the U.S., and know that these new restaurants will keep these communities running on Dunkin' for years to come," said Grant Benson, CFE, senior vice president of franchising and development, Dunkin' Brands. "Our hard-working and dedicated franchisees bring our brand, products, and promotions to life each and every day and have been essential to our growth over the past 65 plus years."

In an effort to keep the brand fresh and competitive, Dunkin' Donuts has been offering flexible concepts for any real estate format including free-standing restaurants, end caps, in-line sites, gas and convenience, travel plazas, universities, as well as other retail environments.

Dunkin Donuts was founded in 1950.