Dunkin’ Donuts is seeking to expand its presence in Washington D.C. with today’s announcement of a seminar on September 14 to discuss franchise opportunities brewing in the market.

Dunkin’ Donuts’ development throughout Washington D.C 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.

The market is currently home to 123 restaurants and Dunkin’ Donuts is pursuing opportunities to develop Washington D.C. with both existing and new franchisees in Prince George, Fairfax, Arlington, and Charles Counties as well as areas in Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland.

Dunkin’ Donuts executives will be in town to host the franchise seminar at 7 p.m. at Maggiano’s Restaurant – Tyson’s Corner, 2001 International Drive in McLean, Virginia to share the benefits of owning a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant. To register for the event and learn more, please log onto www.dunkinfranchising.com.

Since January through June 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 quick-service industry.

“Dunkin’ Donuts is looking for qualified candidates with foodservice, operations and real estate experience to join our team to help expand the brand’s footprint in Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas,” says Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of franchising and market planning, Dunkin’ Brands, Inc.

“Our secret to success is our passionate franchisees who provide a high-level of customer service to our guests’ everyday, and we encourage interested parties to attend our franchising seminar to learn how they can open a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant in their community.”

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.

Ideally, franchisees should possess a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $250,000, but financial qualifications will vary based on the opportunity available by market. This evolution of Dunkin’ Donuts’ franchise sales effort enables the brand to expand in markets more aggressively, while balancing its market penetration and maturity.

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.

Benson says, “Dunkin’ Donuts is proud to energize Americans and keep the honest, hard-working, value-driven people of this country running every day. 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, Wake-up Wrap, 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.

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