QSR February 2023

FRANCHISE FORWARD / CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

sippi, he understands the opportunities and power of the brand. Rodriguez also recog nizes that if a chain doesn’t “go in full force” into those markets, it’s difficult to compete. He knows that strategy sounds counterin tuitive to successful growth, but he explains that Dunkin’ relies on consumer accessibil ity. If a customer can’t obtain it, they will go elsewhere. But if it’s available and a habit ual breakfast pattern is created, Dunkin’ becomes “one of the most powerful brands in that arena,” Rodriguez says. He estimates that Tasty Restaurant Group’s real estate and construction depart ment spent six to seven months mapping the markets, so f inding locations won’t be an issue. Rodriguez says the bigger concern is striking the right real estate deals and pro viding a valuable return on investment for investors. He refers to higher construction costs “as bad as I’ve ever seen in my life time.” He adds, however, that the beauty of Dunkin’ is that customers are loyal, and if stores deliver the basics, they will not leave. For that reason, Rodriguez has great confi dence in the significant 45-unit agreement.

“I think that market is a Dunkin’ mar ket,” Rodriguez says. “It really is. Dunkin’ is about the blue-collar individual—the way you think about yourself. That’s a market right up their alley. And so the question is, can we execute and can we execute quickly, and can we grow successfully in a manner that makes sense? So we have the conf i dence, we have the experience. And if you put all things together, we feel that this is a great win for both of us, for Dunkin’ and for us, and allows us the ability to really grow, and put the brand on the map in that part of the world.” Having switched between corporate and franchising multiple times in his career, Rodriguez understands the arguments of each side. From the franchisee perspective, he says, there may not always be clear sight on all the data and research that went into a decision. Operators may not realize several other ideas were vetted and rejected before the brand presents a certain one. He compares it to a military operation in which generals in Washington, D.C. are giving commands to soldiers on the ground. Franchisors make the ultimate decision,

but the important thought is whether fran chisees’ voices are being heard. Rodriguez says Tasty Restaurant Group does its part by serving on committees. “The question is sometimes, you’re in the middle of the battle and you just don’t see the forest because of the trees and that’s a part of you as a franchise,” Rodriguez says. “Sometimes we got to pull ourselves out and say, ‘Help me understand how you got there. What’s the conclusion you’ve drawn?’ And we may agree to disagree.” When Rodriguez was an executive, he faced the same issues. He remembers com ing to franchisees and telling them next steps, only to be met with “we shouldn’t do this.” But what Rodriguez learned as a long time corporate employee is that sometimes you have to choose a route without knowing 100 percent; on some occasions, it has to be 80 or 90 percent. And that’s because first to market wins, and second loses every time, he says. Looking back on these decisions, the worst thing a brand can do is justify mistakes to franchisees, Rodriguez notes. “You have to say, ‘I made a decision, let’s move on,’” he says. “If you do that, you con tinue to gain the trust and confidence of the community because you are going to make mistakes. You’re human, you’re not perfect in any way, shape, or form. But again, I think it’s this trust factor where everything starts from.” Moving forward, Tasty Restaurant Group is eager to add concepts. Rodriguez hints that growth may come from more quick-service chains under Inspire Brands, which parents Sonic, Jimmy John’s, Arby’s, and Rusty Taco, in addition to Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins. Discussions are active, but nothing has been cemented. The franchise’s goal is to reach 1,000 locations within 10 years. “We’re very confident that in spite of the all the inf lationary pressures, in spite of the fact that economic and political things are going down in the U.S., this is a very strong, vibrant industry and I’ve been doing this for 50 years and we faced a lot of things in this industry,” Rodriguez says. “And as we get involved with all these brands, you can see that they’re seeing the same challenge that we’re seeing and they’re trying to get in front of it.” q

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Ben Coley is a senior editor at QSR . He can be reached at bcoley@ WTWHmedia.com .

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