After Dunkin Donuts declared ten days ago that it has no ties with the DD Independent Franchise Owners, Inc. (DDIFO), the firm has reversed track. Will Kussell, Dunkin’ Donuts Brand Officer and President, and James Allen, Brand Advisory Council Franchisee Co-Chair, not only attended DDIFO’s meeting last Thursday, but Mr. Kussell also delivered a crucial message to members. He said that a breakfast war was now being waged in New England about coffee. Kussell declared, “The war of our lives is about coffee. McDonald’s and Starbucks are going straight on to take us out.”
In another surprise statement, Kussell said that Dunkin’ Brands would have no more strategic partners for at least three years. There has been a significant amount of controversy regarding Dunkin’ Brands partnership agreements with Sara Lee, Proctor & Gamble and Hess gas stations, allowing them to place Dunkin’s number one product, coffee, into grocery stores, gas stations, kiosks, private cafeterias and other retail outlets. DDIFO members have been critical of these alliances stating that they will ultimately devalue the iconic Dunkin’ coffee brand.
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