Comments on: Dunkin’ Donuts plans seven franchises in Ft. Smith and Northwest Arkansas

By: K-O

K-O — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:11:56 +0000

Where do I sign up for a job? I worked for a franchise back in Massachusetts 3 years ago.

By: vandelay

vandelay — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 08:16:03 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:29:25 +0000

At the end of the day, any job creation is a good thing, even if it does come from a franchise. I’d rather have a town filled with chains then a town filled with the unemployed.

By: genevieve

genevieve — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:44:01 +0000

Little Bread Co. is delicious!!

By: David Franks

David Franks — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:14:03 +0000

Are they boiled in a weak lye solution?

By: Innarested Observer

Innarested Observer — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:04:32 +0000

I’ve never been to Little Bread, but based on what I’ve heard here, planning on stopping in tomorrow morning on my way to the Farmers Market.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:32:55 +0000

@Hanna: We lived in Fayetteville for a year before moving to Rogers. I didn’t know your establishment existed, and the simple fact that you boil your bagels makes you a must try for me. Next time we’re down that way, we’ll be sure to stop in!

@Vandelay: My comparison of establishments was not of QUALITY (aside from Einstien, which sucks), but of OWNERSHIP. You see, most of those establishments (McDonald’s, Jose’s, JJ’s, Daisy Exchange, Subway, etc.) aren’t company owned, they’re LOCALLY owned, as these Dunkin franchises will be. Another point, was that a chain is defined as having two or more stores under same or franchised ownership. Many local-owned establishments that have more than one locations are chains. This point was focused at folks who earlier commented that one shouldn’t frequent a chain because it is a chain.

By: vandelay

vandelay — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:07:19 +0000

That would be “local” only by the most liberal definition. Money is still skimmed off the top for licensing/franchising fees, menu decisions are made in faraway highrises, suppliers are usually dictated by corporate offices, etc. This is not ALWAYS the case, but it is the standard franchise model. Not all franchises are awful, and not all local businesses are fantastic. Local still trumps corporate IMHO.

By: vandelay

vandelay — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:48:44 +0000

If you can’t find a burrito, just call CHEW, they’ll bring it to ya!

By: vandelay

vandelay — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:46:12 +0000

Dennis, when attempting to make your points, you compared Dunkin Donuts to a bunch of other stupid establishments which also serve prefab foods, i.e. starbucks, einstein brothers, mcdonalds, and even joses. Try comparing it, in quality AND price, to actual homegrown bakeries and coffee shops in our area which offer quality handmade products. You may be surprised. I bet there are a half-dozen local bakeries in each of our NWA towns. Give them a try. I also prefer Little Bread Co in fayetteville, they are the best around for all sorts of baked deliciousness, coffee drinks, and atmosphere.
I would also suggest imagining (and then helping foster) a community that isn’t overloaded with corporate logos, billboards, and slogans around every corner. Ever notice that fayetteville is quite different in that respect? Its a psychological bonus.

By: HannahBanana

HannahBanana — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:51:46 +0000

@Dennis Little Bread’s iced coffee comes to $1.95 including tax. Our bagels are hand shaped, and boiled and baked fresh every morning. Have you tried them?

By: No name provided

No name provided — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:21:04 +0000

I agree %100 that it should be supported and I most lilkely will. Your’re still gonna have those silly people who who have silly ideas and won’t shop at a place because of a silly name and that is …….silly.

By: Dennis L

Dennis L — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:56:48 +0000

Here’s why Dunkin Donuts beats most competition:
–Selection – I don’t wake up at 7am on a weekend. Consequently, when my wife and I want donuts, (usually around 9 or 10) Daylight Donuts might have 2 glazed donuts left because all the early birds cleaned them out by 6 am. So I don’t even bother going to a Daylight store in NWA anymore.
–Price – Starbucks charges $3 and change for a large iced coffee. Dunkin charges under $2. In fact, Dunkin is, on average, 30% cheaper than Sbux on any comparable product. Plus, Dunkin’s coffee is sooo much yummier!
–Bagels – You can’t find a decent bagel in NWA! I’m from south Florida originally, and wish someone would open a NY Style deli/breakfast joint, with bagels. Although Dunkin’s bagels aren’t nearly as good as a true NY-style bagel, they’re a million times better than an Einstein bagel. Einstein sucks.
–Local ties – whereas SBux is not a franchised business, Dunkin Donuts is. Dunkin is no different than McDonald’s, or Rick’s or a Subway – they’re owned and operated by Arkansans! Most chains are NOT company-owned stores like Starbucks, most chains are franchised, and owned by owner-operators, or multi-store groups that have roots in the communities in which they operate. You folks boycotting Dunkin because it is a chain are stupid – In reality, when you visit Jose’s on Dickson, or the Daisy Exchange, or JJ’s Grill, or Harp’s for groceries (because you despise the big, bad Walmart), you are visiting chain businesses!

Myself, I can’t wait for Dunkin to open in Rogers. I’ll be waiting in line!

By: Comreguy

Comreguy — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:08:41 +0000

If a person that his lived in Fayetteville their whole lives buys a franchise and opens and operates the business in Fayetteville, is it local and therefore should it be supported?

By: Amy B

Amy B — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:04:36 +0000

My shop is at 2220 Malvern Avenue..Daylight Donuts come by anytime we love new faces

By: David Franks

David Franks — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:56:35 +0000

Where is your shop? I’ll stop by when next in Hot Springs.

By: Amy B

Amy B — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:14:35 +0000

I completely agree, you must stay true to quality products but never be afraid of adding new ones

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:08:21 +0000

Going with a local entity is great if they put out a quality product, but not all local donut shops do so. Royal Donut was quite good when they opened, no Rick’s but better than the other options, but after changing hands at least 3 times the quality has steadily declined.

By: Amy B

Amy B — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:00:44 +0000

I have nothing against a franchise Im with Daylight donuts..what it boils down to is location & how good your product is.

By: George

George — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:52:35 +0000

I’ll buy that, but y’all still aren’t feeling me. @Nnp says, “I could go into my local bakery ten times a day and it would not open open up 7 franchises worth of jobs.” You could also go into Dunkin D’s 10 times a day and it wouldn’t prompt them to open another franchise. You’d just get really fat.

The collective impact of the choices of members of the community controls the balance of franchise/chain versus local businesses (duh, right?). To dismiss our individual responsibility in this balance is…….silly.