Meanwhile, while flipping through back copies of Nation's Restaurant News, I found this article from July...
The Riese Organization, a longtime multi-concept franchisee in New York City, is converting all 13 of its Dunkin’ Donuts stores to the Tim Hortons brand, president and chief executive Dennis Riese said Wednesday.
Riese said he plans to close the Dunkin’ locations on Friday and reopen the stores July 13 under the Tim Hortons banner. Riese and Dunkin’ had come to an agreement about five years ago that required the termination of a franchise partnership by July 31.
Riese operates about 80 restaurants in New York City under the T.G.I. Friday’s, Houlihan’s, Pizza Hut and KFC brands. Its proprietary concepts include Charley O’s, Tads Steaks, Nedicks and Lindy’s.
Tim Hortons, based in Canada, has been making a push to open more stores in the New York metro area. Most recently, the chain opened three co-branded restaurants in midtown Manhattan in partnership with premium ice-cream chain Coldstone Creamery.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Dunkin’ Donuts, a chain of about 8,800 locations worldwide, has 454 units located in the New York City area. It is owned by franchisor Dunkin’ Brands Inc., which is based in Canton, Mass.
“Notwithstanding the disenfranchisement of the Riese organization, Dunkin Donuts presence in Manhattan and throughout New York City continues to expand,” franchisor Dunkin’ said in its statement. “In the past five years, 244 new Dunkin’ Donuts shops have opened in New York City, and we intend to continue this pattern of growth as opportunities arise.”
Expand? How many more do we need?
Anyway, so I guess the Second Avenue DD will become a Tim Hortons soon...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Dunkin' Donuts closes on Second Avenue; only 428 left in NYC
The Riese website doesn't list that space among its Tim Hortons locations. The mystery continues...
ReplyDeleteDang. Nice sleuthing, Pinhead...
ReplyDeleteI thought these DD franchises were individually owned? I don't know if it means anything, but this is the only location I know of that was not also a Baskin Robbins...maybe that means they were not part of the whole Riese deal? This is purely speculation...
ReplyDeleteA new comment on the previous DD post from Monday states the landlord wanted a big rent increase....and that the landlord will split this location into two storefronts.
ReplyDelete