9/21/04
Dunkin? Donuts is banking on the theory that having thousands of commuters pass by your store twice a day is a good thing.
Kadar Sodagar will have the chance to find out when his new store opens today in the CTA station at 4800 W. Lake St. at Cicero. Sodagar's store is one of five stores opening this month in CTA stations and another seven scheduled to break ground this fall.
?This is the first major concerted effort to open a significant number of Dunkin? Donuts stores in CTA stations," says Mike Lavigne, director of development for Dunkin? Donuts. ?The reasoning is simple?our product line is a good fit for their customers.
"Part of our decision to develop stores in CTA stations was driven by studies showing that more than 30 percent of breakfasts are eaten away from home--how much easier can we make it than by meeting customers on their way to work!? Lavigne said. ?We actually hope to see CTA commuters twice a day in the CTA stores?once on their way in to work, and again on their way home," Lavigne added.
"Quality concession areas help to anchor CTA stations in the surrounding neighborhoods," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown. "We are pleased to partner with Dunkin? Donuts to bring new investment into these communities."
CTA President Frank Kruesi added that ?the CTA is delighted to see these new stores open for our customers. We?re pleased to be able to provide long term leases to Dunkin? Donuts and in turn, the stores are making much needed improvements to each space. This is good for Dunkin? Donuts and good for CTA and our customers."
All new Dunkin? Donuts/CTA station stores are scheduled to be full-service. Currently open are the Lake and Cicero store and a store at 1901 N. Western Ave., both in Chicago. Scheduled to open later this month are stores at 5801 N. River Rd., Rosemont; 1713 W. Polk St., Chicago; and 4645 N. Western Ave., Chicago. In addition, scheduled to break ground in September are stores at CTA stations at 1612 N. Benson in Evanston; and 1710 W. 18th St., 3528 S. Leavitt, 800 N. State, 230 S. State, 1200 N. Milwaukee, 5550 N. Harlem, all in Chicago.
In addition to this group of new stores, Lavigne says there are three other Dunkin? Donuts stores in CTA stations, the first store having opened in 1999.
Founded in 1950, Dunkin? Donuts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allied Domecq PLC, is the leading retailer of coffee-by-the-cup in America, selling 2.7 million cups a day. Dunkin? Donuts is also the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world and sells more donuts, coffee, bagels and muffins than any other quick service restaurant in America.
Dunkin? Donuts is headquartered in Randolph, Massachusetts. Currently, there are more than 350 Dunkin? Donuts stores in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
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