Dunkin' Donuts, announced today the signing of a store development agreement with three franchisees to develop six new restaurants in Detroit, Michigan, over the next several years. This is the fourth deal to close in the market this year for a total of seven new restaurants expected to open. Dunkin' Donuts development throughout Detroit is part of a steady and strategic growth strategy, which includes expanding in existing markets while entering new cities across the country to help drive the leading coffee and bakery chain's growth.

Three restaurants will open in 2011 and the remaining units are scheduled to open by 2014. The market is currently home to 56 restaurants with the most recent location opening in Warren, Michigan, on 27033 Van Dyke Ave.

"Dunkin' Donuts is excited to be expanding in the Detroit market and we look forward to the opening of these restaurants in the years to come," says Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of franchising and market planning, Dunkin' Brands, Inc. "We are still looking to expand our presence here and are seeking qualified franchisees with foodservice, operations and real estate experience to join our team in Detroit."

Dunkin' Donuts also announced today the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with brothers David and Mark Weeks, for four new restaurants in Athens, Georgia.

Together, David and Mark have been operating restaurants in the Athens area for more than seven years. They currently own three Barberitos Southwestern Grille franchises and three Mirko Pasta restaurants. Their first Dunkin' Donuts restaurant is expected to open in 2012 and the remainder will be developed by 2015.

"As Georgia natives, we have deep roots in the local community and are excited to expand Dunkin' Donuts' presence in the area and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit here," Mark Weeks says. "We have a strong passion and loyalty for the brand and look forward to the opening of these four restaurants in the years to come."

"Dunkin' Donuts is excited to expand its footprint in Athens with David and Mark Weeks,” Benson says. "Our secret to success is our passionate franchisees who provide a high-level of customer service to our guests every day, and we're confident David and Mark will continue to cultivate lasting relationships and remain an integral part of the community."

During the first half of 2010, Dunkin' Donuts opened 338 net new locations worldwide with 75 of those new restaurants opening in the U.S. The company also signed 72 new domestic development commitments, continuing to hold its spot as one of the fastest growing brands in the QSR industry.

In addition to the development agreement mentioned above, Dunkin' Donuts is seeking new and existing franchisees to develop restaurants throughout Atlanta and in the surrounding areas of Albany, Columbus, and Macon.

To drive its expansion efforts, Dunkin' Donuts has aligned its strategy to support the growth opportunities and consumer needs of individual markets. As a result, the company continues to expand with single and multi-unit opportunities with no minimum unit requirements.

Building a solid network of stores within a market enables Dunkin' Donuts to invest in a distribution model that provides a consistent, high-quality product guests expect "in the way and on the way" of their daily routines. In an effort to keep the brand fresh and competitive, Dunkin' Donuts offers flexible concepts for any real estate format including free-standing restaurants, end caps, in-line sites, gas and convenience, travel plazas, universities, as well as other retail environments.

"Dunkin' Donuts is proud to energize Americans and keep the honest, hard-working, value-driven people of this country running every day,” Benson says. “Our recent and ongoing menu enhancements meet the needs of today's on-the-go consumers, moving Dunkin' Donuts beyond breakfast with high-quality food and beverage items available all day."

Historically a doughnut and hot coffee chain, Dunkin' Donuts has expanded its offering to include frozen and iced beverages, a full bakery assortment including bagels and muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and an all-day Oven-Toasted menu which includes flatbread sandwiches, hash browns, and buttermilk biscuits. The new platform marks the most significant change to Dunkin' Donuts' product lineup since the company launched espresso-based beverages in 2003.

Denise Lee Yohn: QSR's Marketing Guru, Desserts, Growth, News, Dunkin' Donuts