Indians Allege Discrimination By Dunkin’ Donuts Company

India New England:

2 Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees of Indian origin are alleging that the Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ franchising company discriminates against them because they are not white. Dunkin’ denies the claims.

Gujurati-immigrant Nilesh Nehta, 39, who owns two franchises in Greensburg, Pa., said that Dunkin’ sent him termination notices without valid cause, trying to force him to sell his store at below market value. In one case, he said, the Dunkin’ company demanded that Nehta, who has less than 5 years left on his lease, invest $650,000 in remodeling his store – a demand that he alleges the company is not forcing on white owners.

He also said that representatives of the Dunkin’ company have humiliated him in front of his customers, and on one occasion took issue with a water glass that someone left in the restroom of Nehta’s store. Dunkin’s team assumed that restaurant workers used water instead of toilet paper to clean themselves after going to the bathroom, Nehta said.