IFA Urges Senate To Act On Small Business Lending Bill

The International Franchise Association has urged the Senate to include a substitute amendment to the Small Business Lending Fund Act (H.R. 5297) that extends important provisions first enacted by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and modernizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs to make them accessible to more franchise businesses.

"Nearly half of IFA members, who operate across more than 90 industries that create 21 million jobs and generate $2.3 trillion in economic activity, indicated that access to capital is the most pressing issue they face in 2010.," said IFA Vice President of Government Relations David French in a letter to all members of the Senate. "Updating and improving the SBA loan programs so that more franchise business owners can obtain the necessary start-up capital will create jobs and help lead our economy on a road to recovery."

French said the amendment, offered by Sens. Baucus (D-Mont.) and Landrieu (D-La.) will increase the maximum loan amounts for the SBA 7(a) program to $5 million and for the 504 program to $5.5 million. An increase in lending has a direct impact on the number of jobs created. According to IFA's recently updated Small Business Lending Matrix and Analysis, for every incremental $1 billion in lending, franchised businesses can create 40,400 jobs and $4.2 billion in economic output.

"Given the extreme difficulty many current and aspiring entrepreneurs are facing in this economy, this increase will allow more individuals to access the capital they need to maintain existing jobs, while also creating new job opportunities, " French said. "We urge the Senate to support the Baucus-Landrieu amendment before time runs out for this congressional session."

Tom Monaghan Domino's

Tom Monaghan Domino's Pizza Franchise owner the entrepreneur. According to About.com Franchises, when Tom’s Monaghan mother could no longer support Tom and his brother, Jim, on her $27.50 a week salary, she was forced to give them up. The brothers were in and out of foster homes and orphanages for most of their childhoods. Inspired by the story of impoverished Abraham Lincoln, who worked hard and became President of the United States, Tom decided he wanted only the best out of life.

Tom Monaghan (Domino's Pizza Franchise) sold newspapers and even got a job setting up pins in a bowling alley. Later on he joined the Marines in order to get the college education he couldn’t afford. Then in 1960 Tom and Jim borrowed $900 to buy Dominick’s Pizzeria in Ypsilanti, Michigan, a year later Tom traded a Volkswagen Beetle to his brother for his half of the company renaming it, “Dominos.” In his first 13 years, Tom took only one vacation and that was to marry his wife, Marge.

Today, Domino’s Pizza is a Mega-Brand with approximately $5.1 billion in global retail sales as of 2006, including $3.2 billion domestically and almost $1.9 billion internationally. Tom Monaghan attributes his success in his own words to this: “I have 5 priorities in life and they are spiritual, social, mental, physical, and financial. My faith has kept me going throughout my life...especially during the most challenging times.”

Buy a Dunkin Donuts Franchise

Buy a Dunkin' Donuts Franchise!!!! Dunkin' Donuts Is Now Expanding!

Worldwide, there are more than 8,300 Dunkin' Donuts^® in 30 countries. In the United States alone, there are more than 6,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants located in 36 states.

Our expansion in existing and new areas around the country opens new franchise frontiers for operators and investors.

We're Brewing Exciting Opportunities
A variety of exciting Dunkin' Donuts franchise investment opportunities are available for both individuals and corporate investors interested in purchasing store development agreements. With unique opportunities to own and operate an entire market, you're certain to find the right Dunkin' Donuts franchising venture for you.

Grow With Us Today
Markets are limited! Prime opportunities sell out fast. Please explore all the information in this section regarding requirements, the overall process, finance options and more. To review our available markets, minimum unit commitments, and complete an application, click here.

How to Buy a Dunkin Donuts

How to Buy a Dunkin Donuts. The path to owning Dunkin' Donuts^® franchises is an exciting journey. We will work with you to complete the multi-phased process beginning with your online application.

Phase 1

• Complete application.
• Receive and review Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
• Process Credit Check.
• Process Criminal background check.
• Provide proof of citizenship or Permanent Resident/Alien Registration Card.
• Provide proof of assets.

Phase 2

• First interview with Franchise Manager.
• Due Diligence: discussions with existing franchisees.
• Generate Business Plan.

Phase 3

• Dunkin' Brands Treasury Department Review.
• Enhanced Background check.
• Present Business Plan to Franchise Manager.

Phase 4

• Franchisee approval.
• Sign Store Development Agreement (SDA).
• Begin Franchisee Training.
• Approve site.
• Secure financing.

Phase 5

• Finalize lease/purchase.
• Sign Franchise Agreement.
• Begin Construction.
• Begin Crew Training.

Monkey-See Monkey-Donut

The grand prize winning donut is "Monkey-see Monkey-donut," a bananas foster-filled donut with chocolate icing, topped with Reese's Peanut Butter shavings, created by donut devotee Rachel Davis of Sharon, Massachusetts.

Create Dunkin's Next Donut Winner

On Friday, National Donut Day, Dunkin' Donuts announced the grand prize winning donut in its second-annual "Create Dunkin's Next Donut" contest. The grand prize winning donut is "Monkey-see Monkey-donut," a bananas foster-filled donut with chocolate icing, topped with Reese's Peanut Butter shavings, created by donut devotee Rachel Davis of Sharon, Mass. Davis won $12,000 and her donut will be sold in participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide beginning this fall.

Rachel was selected as one of 12 contest finalists from nearly 90,000 donut contest creations submitted online. As a finalist, she received $1,200 and traveled to Dunkin' Donuts' University in Braintree, Mass., last month to compete in a bake-off competition before Dunkin' Donuts' culinary team and company leaders. The winning donut was selected based on the vote of the bake-off judging panel, as well as America's online vote.

Dunkin' Donuts Summer Coolatta Flavors

Dunkin' Donuts Summer Coolatta Flavors. As Dunkin' Donuts announces the winner of its create-your-own donut contest, the chain releases two new Coolatta options for the summer, including the return of an old-time favorite.

Beginning today, Blue Raspberry is the newest addition to Dunkin' Donuts' popular line of Coolatta frozen slush drinks. In addition, back by popular demand, Watermelon joins Dunkin' Donuts' lineup of Coolatta flavor varieties, including Coffee, Strawberry, Vanilla Bean and Tropicana Orange.

All flavors are available at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout the country for the suggested retail price of $2.29 for a small, 16-ounce beverage.

To support its Coolatta offerings, Dunkin’ Donuts is inviting consumers to help create the coolest summer music playlists. With "Keep It Coolatta 2: Flavor Boogaloo," Dunkin’ Donuts is sponsoring a custom playlist on Pandora, the Internet radio service that delivers personalized stations based on listener music preferences, and giving everyone the chance to play DJ by visiting Dunkin' Donuts' Facebook page. Fans can suggest favorite songs inspired by the flavors of Coolatta and summer. The ultimate summer mixes will be selected from all suggestions on Facebook and available as a custom Dunkin’ Donuts music station on Pandora in July.