Baskin-Robbins Opens Virginia Beach / Norfolk for Franchise Sales

Date AddedSeptember 25, 2009 09:14:32 AM

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CANTON, Mass., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Baskin-Robbins, America's favorite icecream shop, is rapidly expanding its national footprint with today'sannouncement that Virginia Beach, Norfolk and the surrounding region are now open for franchise sales. More than 30 new stores are projected throughout thearea over the next several years.
Baskin-Robbins currently operates more than 6,000 stores in 35 countries andopened more than 600 stores globally in 2008. With a domestic footprint ofnearly 2,700 locations, Baskin-Robbins is now seeking exceptional franchiseecandidates in Virginia Beach and Norfolk to be part of an unprecedented growthcampaign designed to increase its U.S. presence over time. Built over the last64 years, Baskin-Robbins currently enjoys 98 percent brand awareness acrossthe country and was named for the second consecutive year the number one icecream and frozen dessert franchise in Entrepreneur magazine's annual"Franchise 500" ranking.
To fuel this growth in and around Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Baskin-Robbinsis actively seeking store developers who possess strong financial backgrounds,the desire to maximize their territory's sales and have a passion for thecommunities they will serve.
"As the Baskin-Robbins brand continues to develop in Virginia, we're excitedto provide new store owners with the unique opportunity to capitalize on theirterritory's potential, serve as the face of the brand in the community, aswell as set the direction of the market's growth," said Salman Siddiqui, vicepresident of global business development, Baskin-Robbins.
To share information about franchising opportunities in and around VirginiaBeach and Norfolk, Baskin-Robbins is hosting a franchising seminar at theHilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront on September 10, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00p.m. Included in the discussion will be the brand's new store designs,marketing, training, site selection and franchising in general. To registerfor the event and learn more, please visit www.baskinrobbins.com/franchiseopportunities or contact Dwayne Greer at615-545-7766 or dwayne.greer@dunkinbrands.com.
Baskin-Robbins enters 2009 with several new real estate concepts that provideinterested area developers with a range of flexible real estate designoptions. Part ice cream indulgence, dessert-theater and test kitchen rolledinto one, the revolutionary Cafe 31 model operates as a high-end dessert barwith unique ice cream and coffee products. Cafe 31 is currently being testedoutside of Boston. The traditional concept is an updated, stand-alone storefeaturing all of Baskin-Robbins' standard equipment and offerings. Traditionalstores can also support a drive-thru depending on the real estate selected.Lastly, the BR Express concept is a kiosk design offering a convenient andsimplified solution for malls, sports arenas, airports or other smallco-branded real estate opportunities.
"By continuing our history of developing new product innovations and keepingour focus on customer service and business success for our franchisees,Baskin-Robbins is providing a completely new experience in 2009," saidSiddiqui. "We share common objectives with our store developers, which focuson building and sustaining a profitable business and strong brand in thisincreasingly challenging economy."
Furthering its commitment to its franchisees, Baskin-Robbins also offers extensive training programs and comprehensive operating systems designed tohelp build business. A broad franchise support team is geared to simplifyoperations and includes development and construction experts, operationalsupport professionals, training managers and field marketing managers.Baskin-Robbins also employs state-of-the-art technology and the latest pointof sale terminals to help stores run more efficiently and cost effectively.Baskin-Robbins has proven to be a simple business to run with convenient hoursof operation, minimal equipment, little waste and a majority of inventory thathas a shelf life of one year with proper storage.
Over six decades ago, Baskin-Robbins was founded by ice cream enthusiastsBurton "Burt" Baskin and Irvine "Irv" Robbins who shared a dream to create aninnovative ice cream store that would be a neighborhood gathering place forfamilies. Today, over 300 million people visit Baskin-Robbins each year tosample the more than 1,000 flavors available in its ice cream library, as wellas enjoy its full array of frozen treats including ice cream cakes, frozenbeverages and sundaes.
"Baskin-Robbins will satisfy a growing demand in and around Virginia Beach andNorfolk for high-quality ice cream, specialty frozen desserts and beverages,"said Siddiqui. "Over the past 64 years, Baskin-Robbins has become the brand ofchoice for consumers and has consistently delighted them with our irresistibleflavors and treats. We look forward to being an important part of thecommunities."
About Baskin-RobbinsNamed the top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States byEntrepreneur magazine's 30th annual Franchise 500(R) ranking, Baskin-Robbinsis the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbinscreates and markets innovative, premium ice cream, specialty frozen dessertsand beverages, providing quality and value to consumers at more than 6,000retail shops in 35 countries. Baskin-Robbins was founded by two ice creamenthusiasts whose passion led to the creation of more than 1,000 ice creamflavors and a wide variety of delicious treats. Headquartered in Canton,Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin' Brands, Inc. family of companies. For further information, visit www.baskin-robbins.com/FranchiseOpportunities.